It was determined that a device was needed to address the large number of watercraft afflicted injuries suffered by aquatic mammals, in particular manatees. Once the need for such a project was verified, a list of requirements was created. The evaluation of these requirements led to several possible solutions. A lengthy evaluation process resulted in the selection of one solution.

Once the idea of manatee protection was accepted, requirements were generated. These requirements addressed the needs of the designer and possible consumers. The requirements included such things as assuring good hydrodynamic properties for the guard and assuring that the guard stays securely attached to the motor. These requirements led to the next stage of the design process, concept generation.

From a list of 7 generated concepts, a final design was chosen. This design was chosen on the basis of its performance in comparison tests, like the decision matrix. This design can be described as a series of ¼ inch stainless steel loops, brazed into a base collar. This collar slips over the plane plate of a motor. The plane plate is a wide, flat surface found between the propeller and the power generation unit on a typical boat motor. After the concept was chosen, a cardboard and copper wire mockup was build and tested on a 150 horsepower motor for correct dimensions. After the mockup satisfactory passed this test, stainless steel materials for the actual design were purchased. These materials totaled $70.13.

Construction on the prototype was followed according to plan. In the final construction stage, in which the loops were being brazed into the collar, a problem arose. The brazing torch cut through the stainless rods. A design modification was required, the loops were joined with a connecting plate. Silver based braze was used as a brass braze alternative, due to its lower temperature requirements. This silver solder served the purpose of joining the stainless rods together. The end product was still very similar to the chosen concept. The final design satisfactorily met the design requirements.