Amver Ship Saves Refugees

The Amver participating ship SKS Trinity rescued nine Algerian refugees from their capsized boat off the coast of Spain on June 17th. Despite the dramatic rescue one refugee died after the rescue.

According to Captain Vladimir Bugrimov, master of the Norwegian flagged ship, his crew sighted a small wooden boat with 1o people aboard. Within minutes of finding the men their boat capsized. With winds blowing between 20 and 25 knots and seas of 8 feet, Captain Bugrimov knew time was of the essence.

Adrift


A small wooden boat with Algerian refugees spotted by the M/V SKS Trinity off the coast of Spain.

To The Rescue

Captain Bugrimov immediately sounded the man overboard alarm and crew began heaving flotation devices into the water. He broadcast the man overboard to all ships in the vicinity, notified local search and rescue authorities and had the crew launch their rescue boat.


A rescue boat from the SKS Trinity launched to rescue survivors.

As the crewmen of the Trinity were rescuing the refugees, search and rescue authorities on shore coordinated their response. A rescue helicopter was launched and the Cartagena search and rescue vessel Slavamar Mimosa raced to assist.

The survivors were taken aboard the Trinity and given first aid, clothing, food, water and transferred to the rescue vessel Salvamar Mimosa for transport to shore. The SKS Trinity, an Amver participant since February, 1999, earned its 10 year participation award this year and continues to actively report to the Amver system.


Refugees safely aboard the SKS Trinity.

We are grateful to the crew of the SKS Trinity for their fast work and quick thinking. Their actions resulted in the rescue of nine lives. We also applaud K. G. Jebsen Skipsrederi for the company's commitment to safety at sea by enrolling their vessels in the Amver system.

Has your ship encountered refugees?

Photo credit: Crew of the M/V SKS Trinity

World Ship Society

Tonight I had the pleasure of talking to members of the World Ship Society, Port of New York Branch. The World Ship Society is an organization for people that enjoy anything to do with shipping. The Port of New York Branch focuses primarily on passenger and cruise ships. They were a great group and had excellent questions. One of the most useful features of the Port of New York Branch's website is the directory of passenger ship arrival and departures.

The members of the Port of New York branch welcomed the Oceanic back to New York Harbor last week and toured it as well.

I enjoyed sharing the Amver story with them and hearing their stories. My sincere thanks for allowing me to address your group.

Benjamin Strong, Director of Amver Maritime Relations

Photo credit: uploaded to Flickr by nickherber

Amver Supports World Maritime Day

The United States Coast Guard has the distinct pleasure of hosting the 2009 International Maritime Organization World Maritime Day Parallel Event. The event will be held October 16, 2009 at Pier Sixty in New York City.

The theme for this years event is Climate Change, A Challenge for IMO Too. The Coast Guard has partnered with the North American Marine Environment Protection Association and hope you will take interest in the event as well. This is a perfect opportunity to showcase your companies Green initiatives or environmentally responsible shipping.

United States Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Thad Allen, and IMO Secretary General Efthimious Mitropoulos look forward to seeing you at this signature event.

Amver will be exhibiting at World Maritime Day. Please contact Carleen Lyden-Kluss for more information about World Maritime Day or how you can get involved.

You can learn more about the event here, download the flier here (link to pdf), or visit the event sponsor's website.

How will you celebrate World Maritime Day?

Disabled Vessel Assisted By Amver Ship

The Amver participating commercial ship British Trader was diverted by United States Coast Guard search and rescue authorities early Saturday June 27th to assist a disabled vessel in the Gulf of Mexico. The British Trader arrived on the scene, launched a rescue boat, and boarded the disabled vessel to see if they could repair their engines. The British Trader crew could not repair the engine and coordinated with an Offshore Supply Vessel to tow the disabled boat to port.

As we learn more we will update the blog.

Photo credit: Fotolia

Greek Amver Tanker Rescues 7 Fishermen

A Greek oil tanker participating in the Amver system was contacted by a United States Coast Guard long range surveillance aircraft and diverted to rescue seven Ecuadorian fishermen after their boat sank 170 miles off the Columbia Ecuador coast June 5, 2009.

Tanker To The Rescue



The tanker Andes, en route to Esmeraldas to load product, was notified by a United States Coast Guard aircraft on a routine patrol that the fishermen were in distress. The master of the Andes quickly mustered the crew and turned his ship in the direction of the sinking fishing boat.

The Coast Guard aircraft dropped life rafts and survival equipment to the seven fishermen as the Andes headed to their rescue.

Within two hours of being notified, crewmen on the Greek flagged tanker, managed by the Tsakos Group, observed flashing lights near the distress position. As darkness fell, the Coast Guard aircraft continued to circle over the survivors and direct the tanker to their location

The master of the Andes maneuvered the tanker alongside the life rafts and the crew began rescue operations. According to the Andes master "Because of the high freeboard and the elderly crew in the lifeboats we readied a rescue boat to launch if the last attempt was unsuccessful." The last survivors, with the help of additional Andes crewmen, were able to make the transfer between the life raft and the tanker.

Rescued


The 7 crewmen from the sunken fishing vessel Cindy rescued by the Amver participating Greek tanker Andes.

Has your vessel been involved in a rescue? Send us photos or video an see your story here.

Photo credit: The crew of the Andes and Tsakos Group

Welcome Wednesday!

It's been a busy week at Amver. One thing that doesn't change, however, is the welcome we extend to our newest members. Is your ship listed below? It should be. Don't know how to enroll your vessel in Amver? Read how you can become part of our family here.

Let's welcome the new participants:

• SPRING SWEETBRIER
• MARITEC
• MINERVA VERA
• FOUR MOGAMI
• OM IRIDIUM
• TEN FEI HAI
• FLASH
• FREEDRICO II
• CSAV ITAJAI
• STOLT KITE
• OCEAN GAS
• KODAIJISAN
• LIQUID POWER
• PEPPINO BOTTIGLIERI
• GEORGIOS
• IRMGARD SCHULTE
• JG APARNA
• OVERSEAS NIKISKI
• UBC MOIN
• BELUGA FINESSE
• COSTA LUMINOSA
• MAERSK BOGOR
• ALBANE

When will one of these vessels be called upon to assist in a maritime distress? Hopefully never. It should be reassuring to all who go down to the sea, however, that these vessels make themselves available.

Is that your ship listed above? Leave us a comment and say hello!

Photo credit: Fotolia

Amver Container Ship Rescues Italian Sailor

The Amver participating container ship Maersk Missouri rescued an Italian yachtsman 300 miles off the coast of Halifax, Canada on Fathers Day, June 21, 2009. The sailor, Gianfranco Tortolani, was sailing in the Original Single Handed Trans-Atlantic Race from the United Kingdom to Newport, Rhode Island when his sailboat capsized and was demasted.

Demasted


Gianfranco Tortolani seen from the bridge wing of the Amver participating container ship Maersk Missouri.

Tortolani, aboard the sailboat Cittia De Salerno, activated his emergency beacon which started an international rescue effort involving aircraft from Canada, the United States Coast Guard, and commercial ships.

United States Coast Guard authorities, using Amver search and rescue data, diverted the U.S. flagged container ship Maersk Missouri, which was only a few miles from the distress, to assist.

The Maersk Missouri, managed by Maersk Lines Limited of Virginia Beach, VA, quickly changed course and, despite winds in excess of 20 knots and swells of 16 feet, hoisted the yachtsman aboard the ship.

Safe and Sound


Gianfranco Tortolani being hoisted aboard the Amver participating container ship Maersk Missouri.

"We have him safely on board." was the brief email sent by the master of the Maersk Missouri to Coast Guard rescue authorities after the 67 year old sailor was rescued. The sailboat was left adrift.

Tortolani was taken to the Missouri's next port call, New Jersey, and is now on his way to Newport to celebrate the end of the race.

Are you in the race to Newport? Tell us your thoughts of the rescue.

Photo credit: all photos by the crew of the Maersk Missouri

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gCaptain reports: eLoran Sparks Debate In Washington-Is It Truly Important?

Our friends at gCaptain are tackling the debate about the Office of Management and Budget's recommendation to cut LORAN-C from the 2010 budget. You can read the entire post here. There are plenty of arguments for and against cutting the system. While the LORAN system may be redundant, at Amver we are aware of how emerging technology isn't always better.

What do you think about the effort to cut the only backup system to GPS? Has your bridge GPS system failed?

Photo credit: originally uploaded to Flickr by nonsooth

Tsakos Ship Wins International Safety At Sea Amver Award

On June 10th the annual Safety at Sea International Awards were held in Oslo, Norway in conjunction with Norshipping. United States Coast Guard Commander Agneta Dahl, our representative to the World Maritime University, had the honor of presenting the Safety at Sea International Amver Award to Captain Vasilis Iliopoulos of the Tsakos Group. Captain Iliopoulos accepted the Safety at Sea trophy and unique Green Amver Pennant on behalf of the crew of the Parthenon.


Captain Vasilis Iliopoulos receives the Safet at Sea International Amver award from United States Coast Guard Commander Agneta Dahl. Photo courtesy of Lloyd's Register Fairplay.

The crew of the Parthenon received the award for the daring rescue of four Swedish sailors off the coast of Portugal last September. You can see a video of the rescue here:




We congratulate the entire team at Tsakos shipping along with the crew of the Parthenon for a job well done. You deserve this award.

Has your ship been involved in a rescue at sea? If so send us pictures and video and we will be happy to put it up on the Amver blog.

Welcome Wednesday!

Another 33 vessels have joined the Amver ranks. It's refreshing to see, despite a downturn in the economy, so many shipping companies enroll. This week in New York the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a panel discussion on corporate social responsibility at the Scandinavia House. The Ministry released Corporate Social Responsibility in a Global Economy, a white paper outlining Norway's thoughts on CSR.

The discussion focused on Norway's approach to CSR and their efforts both domestically and internationally. Amver certainly fits the bill of CSR and several conversations we had with the participants reinforced Norway's commitment to Amver.

Here is the list of this weeks new Amver members. These companies recognize the importance of Amver and how participation helps fulfill their corporate social responsibility.

Welcome:

• RAYSUT
• HYUNDAI PIONEER
• SOLVIKEN
• HANJIN MONACO
• WESTERN DELTA
• CAPE TES
• AL-AMERAT
• STX CROCUS
• ISOLA BIANCA
• FAIRMOUNT GLACIER
• APJ KAIS
• CANOPUS LEADER
• CSAV LONCOMILLA
• ZIM ONTARIO
• SONGA EAGLE
• ULUSOY-8
• FOUR SHINANO
• STEALTH CHIOS
• VALLESINA
• MARIT MAERSK
• PANORIA
• PEGASUS
• PHOENIX AMBITION
• LODBROG
• MOL EMERALD
• KOMATSUSHIMA STAR
• CALA PARUGO
• MISS VICKIE
• CAPE BRITANNIA
• SARA MAATJE X
• GINGA LYNX
• MARINE EXPRESS
• CSC CYANITE

Thank you for participating. Are you a crew member on one of these ships? If so leave a comment or send us your photo!

Photo credit: Fotolia

Amver In Maritime Executive Magazine

Amver Director of Marketing Ben Strong recently wrote an OpEd piece for Maritime Executive. The piece covered the recent Amver awards ceremony in Washington, DC. You can read the entire piece here.

If you don't subscribe to the magazine, you can sign up for a free weekly email newsletter.

Sharing your story is important. How do you share your story?

What's On Your iPod?

We are all learning. The surge in social media has spawned several maritime podcasts that may help you learn more about your job or the maritime industry.

This is what Amver listens to:

• Messing About In Ships
• Maritime Executive PodCast
• USCG Podcasts
• Mad Mariner
• Shipping Podcast

What's on your iPod?


Photo credit: originally posted to Flickr by bjornolsson

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Piracy; A Harvard Business Review Case?

If you read Peter Mello's blog, Sea Fever, you probably saw his post about the business of piracy. Peter's blog was an expansion of Scott Baldauf's piece in the Christian Science Monitor. Scott was able to gather insider information on Somali piracy and describes in vivid detail the business behind piracy. According to Baldouf, Somali pirates reportedly earned $80 million in ransom in 2008. The most profound statement Balauf makes is that Somali piracy, a multimillion dollar business, is worthy of a Harvard Business Review profile.

Somalia isn't the only piracy hotspot. The International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Center warns of piracy in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Malacca Straights, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore Straights, Vietnam, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

International Response

What is the international community doing about piracy? The United States Coast Guard has law enforcement detachments assigned to naval vessels and has successfully apprehended pirates. In fact, the Coast Guard recently issued a maritime security directive on piracy and testified (link to pdf) before Congress on anti piracy efforts. The International Maritime Organization has taken a strong stance against piracy as well. Even Secretary of State Clinton has weighed in on the piracy issue.

Pirates; Easy To Trick?

Almost everyone is familiar with the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama and subsequent stand off. Even more daring is the recent escape of a Nigerian sea going tugboat. David Axe wrote about the crew's efforts to fool their Somali captures on the blog War is Boring. Nobody said these pirates were sophisticated. Despite the lack of sophistication, however, some of the people Baldauf interviewed believe the pirates are getting support from outside Somalia.

How Does Piracy Affect Amver?

Amver vessels may be called upon to assist in pirate infested waters. Should they refuse to respond? Amver participants have the right to refuse if the master believes the vessel or crew may be in danger. Pirates have also been known to lure ships in with false distress calls. Despite these dangers we hope Amver participants will still be able to assist mariners in distress without jeopardizing their own crews or vessel.

Have you been the victim of a pirate attack?

Photo credit: Fotolia

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Welcome Wednesday!

Wow. Another 34 vessels have enrolled in Amver in the past week. By the looks of the ships enrolling we are gaining participation from around the world. The more the merrier we say. The more vessels on plot, the greater the chance an Amver participant will be found near a distress. That means saved lives and that is good.

Debuting this week:

• YANGTZE RHYME
• SAKURA SERENITY
• DANIA
• CARMENCITA
• STENA CONQUEST
• GUNVOR MAERSK
• ULTRA
• SABRINA EXPRESS
• NORIENT SCORPIUS
• SHI DAI 1
• FREEDOM
• HORIZON ATHENA
• OCEANLEC 122
• METTE MAERSK
• SUNFLOWER E
• CHANTAL
• MTM PRINCESS
• APOLYTARES
• CAPE ST. JOHN
• VALGARDENA
• NAVIG8 LOUCAS
• NIVANI INTRUDER
• CCNI ROTTERDAM
• ANDINO
• ANNI SELMER
• AEGIR
• REM ETIVE
• ENDEAVOUR BAY
• JIALONG SPIRIT
• MAERSK VIRTUE
• ISE
• DAMGRACHT
• MARIDA MAGNOLIA
• CAPE TAMPA

You could see your vessel here too. Simply follow these simple instructions on enrollment and your vessel will be featured in a Welcome Wednesday post. We look forward to welcoming you next!

Photo credit: Fotolia

Should LRIT Replace Amver?

Should LRIT replace Amver? This question was raised by Ryan Erickson on the Unofficial Coast Guard Blog. Ryan did a nice job of highlighting many of the features of both systems. Let's explore things a bit further.

Amver

Amver is a global search and rescue system that uses commercial ships to perform rescue operations where traditional resources are unavailable. While voluntary in nature (with minor exceptions) there are over 18,000 vessels enrolled in the system. On average, 3,600 ships are reporting in a 24 hour period.

Amver receives position data from vessels underway and stores that information on a server at the United States Coast Guard Operations Systems Center in West Virginia. The information is only used for search and rescue purposes. While the Coast Guard holds Amver data, they will share Amver information with any rescue coordination center during actual maritime emergencies.

Amver participation is free to vessels and rescue coordination centers that request the data. Amver costs the United States Coast Guard approximately $2 million annually. Keep in mind these costs can be offset quickly when Amver vessels are used within the United States search and rescue region instead of Coast Guard surface or air assets. According to the Coast Guard's own standard rates instruction, the cost of a High Endurance Cutter and embarked helicopter can exceed $27,000 an hour. The Amver system can quickly pay for itself after only a handful of cases each year.

Amver also collects more information than LRIT. An Amver vessel report contains, at a minimum:

• Vessel call sign/IMO number
• Time message was sent
• Current position
• Current course
• Average speed

When an Amver ship enrolls, pertinent vessel information is collected such as:

• Medical capability on board the vessel
• Communications capability
• Radio watch schedule

All this information becomes available to search and rescue controllers when they query the Amver system. Amver accepts enrollment from any vessel. It doesn't matter if the ship is a mega yacht, fishing vessel, cargo ship, cruise ship, or a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. Amver has also partnered with Pole Star, a commercial vessel tracking company, to automatically receive vessel position reports from subscribers of their Fleet Management product. This has added over 600 ships to the Amver plot. Finally, Amver has a nearly 51 year history of search and rescue success and international acceptance.

Long Range Identification and Tracking

Long Range Identification and Tracking, also known as LRIT, is a relatively new security and search and rescue system. LRIT reporting is required for vessels of 300 gross tons and more, passenger ships, and mobile offshore drilling units. Several entities will have access to LRIT data including flag states, port states, and coastal states. Vessel data transmitted automatically are:

• Ship's identity
• Ship's position
• Date and time of report

LRIT data can be used for search and rescue purposes at no charge to the requesting organization. If a coastal state wants to use LRIT data for any purpose other than rescue (coastal states may request LRIT data up to 1,000 nautical miles from their shores) they will have to pay for that data. Additional charges are incurred if the polling feature of LRIT is used.

Complementary, Not Competitive

Amver and LRIT are complementary systems. A display of LRIT vessels provides one view of the maritime domain. Combining available Amver vessels gives a search and rescue controller an additional "layer" of information. When you add more layers, such as AIS data, a more complete picture is obtained.

So, should LRIT replace Amver? No. Will vessel tracking technology evolve past the current model of voluntary manual reporting? Perhaps. Is there a system that will provide search authorities a complete picture of the maritime domain? Not yet.

Amver will continue to provide search and rescue authorities the information they need to save lives. Amver data, when combined with other vessel position information, helps determine the best resource to divert in a maritime emergency.

Have you used LRIT data for search and rescue or security? What do you think of the system?

Update: If you want to learn more about the Coast Guard's efforts in maritime domain awareness read this iCommandant post by Mr. Dana Goward, USCG Director of Assessment, Integration and Risk Management.

Soren Larsen Amver Rescue Update

You may recall the case of the training ship Soren Larsen, with 21 people on board, which was taking on water off the coast of New Zealand. Rescue officials from Rescue Coordination Center New Zealand used the online Amver surface picture request to locate and divert the Wilhemsen owned M/V Tarago to assist the stricken tall ship. Learn how your rescue coordination center can request Amver data here.

Stormy Seas



Photo credit: The crew of the M/V Tarago

Rescue Operations

According to the crew of the Tarago they received a request to assist from RCC New Zealand on June 1 about 8:20 ship's time. Within two hours they were on the scene assessing the situation and providing communications back to New Zealand rescue authorities. The Tarago reported there was considerable wind damage and the deckhouse had been demolished. The Soren Larsen was continuing to take on water.

Rescue helicopters lowered dewatering pumps to the Soren Larsen as it fought to control the incoming water. The Soren Larsen was able to control the incoming water, and under the watchful eye of the giant car carrier, sailed to the nearest port for repairs.


Photo credit: Wilhemsen Shipping

This case demonstrates the global nature of Amver. There are few places Amver vessels cannot reach and as more vessels enroll in Amver, the likelihood an Amver vessel will be near a distress increases.

Have you sailed on the Soren Larsen? Are you part of the Tarago crew? Tell us your story.

Should Wale Wars Join Amver?

Image by guano via Flickr

Our friends over at gCaptain recently wrote about the second season of the television hit Whale Wars. Regardless of how you feel about Captain Paul Watson, and the crew of his fleet (coined Neptune's Navy), they steam in some dangerous waters. A review of Amver participants show none of the Sea Shepherd's vessels are enrolled in the Amver system.

No Stranger to Controversy

There is certainly no shortage of controversy surrounding the Sea Shepherd organization or what they do. Other mariners have asked if the crew of the Steve Irwin are licensed mariners at all. What doesn't change, however, is the responsibility to assist another mariner in distress. If the Steve Irwin is going to steam into treacherous waters they may certainly be in a position to assist. Should they enroll in Amver? Remember, Amver accepts enrollment from any vessel, regardless of flag or nationality.

Should Sea Shepherd Enroll Their Ships?

Captain Watson is no stranger to emergencies at sea. It was a Japanese ship he was trying to discourage from whaling that offered assistance when some of his crew went missing in a small boat several years ago.

Should Captain Watson enroll his fleet in the Amver system? Would you be willing to be rescued by the crew of the Steve Irwin? What about their primary mission? Could you put politics and activism aside for safety? Do you really care about the political or environmental beliefs of the hand reaching down to save you?

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Rescue Flotilla 1

On the eve of June 6, 1944 the United States Coast Guard was ordered by President Roosevelt to provide search and rescue for Operation Overload. It was Rescue Flotilla 1 that provided this service and rescued over 1,400 men.

On a recent trip to Poole, United Kingdom, Amver had the opportunity to tour the Royal National Lifeboat Institute Lifeboat College. While we were there we learned of a little known memorial to Rescue Flotilla 1 on the quay in Poole. We headed down to the water and found this beautiful memorial plaque.




While admiring the plaque some local towns people told us that St. James' Church had an American flag on display. The story, according to locals, is that a coxswain of one of the Flotilla boats gave it to the Vicar on the eve of the invasion and asked for prayers for his crew. The flag still hangs in the church today.



On the eve of D-Day let's take a moment to remember our brave men of Rescue Flotilla 1 and the lives they saved.

Do you have memories of D-Day? Did you serve with any Flotilla members? Share your story with us.

Photo credit: from the private collection of Mr. Benjamin Strong

Amver Debuts In USCG Scuttlebutt

Have you seen the new United States Coast Guard cartoon Scuttlebutt? It's the work of Public Affairs Petty Officer Barbara Patton in the New York City Public Affairs Detachment.

Petty Officer Patton joins the ranks of other famous military cartoonists and we are honored she decided to include Amver in her work.

Thanks Barbara!


Cartoon reprinted with permission

Amver Is At Social Media Camp

If you call the Amver office today you probably won't get an answer. We are at Social Media Camp, part of Internet Week in New York City. Why the focus on social media? Let United States Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen explain it in this video. If you want to follow what we are learning check out our Twitter stream. We will tagging our tweets #smcamp for easy following.

Are you still trying to figure out social media? Read our post on social media for a brief introduction.

How are you using new web technology in your work?

Photo credit: originally uploaded to Flickr by conallob

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Amver Vessels Search For Air France Flight 447

Four Amver ships have been diverted by rescue authorities to search the Atlantic Ocean for any signs of Air France flight 447. United States Coast Guard search and rescue personnel provided Amver data to local authorities as efforts to locate survivors or critical aircraft components intensified.

Combining over 25 years of participation in the Amver system, the commercial ships Stolt Inspiration, Jo Cedar, Lexa Maersk, and UAL Texas were reported by Brazilian media to be searching a vast stretch of Atlantic Ocean for any signs of the missing Airbus A330.

While typically used to assist mariners in distress, Amver vessels may be called upon to search for any emergency at sea. Amver works closely with the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization to help search and rescue personnel find the best resource to assist in maritime search operations.

Is your ship involved in the search for Air France flight 447?

Photo credit: Fotolia

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Welcome Wednesday!

35 more vessels have enrolled in the Amver system in the past week. These vessels are available today, ready to assist in a maritime or aviation disaster at sea. The events of the past week, both the tall ship taking on water in New Zealand and the Air France flight lost in the Atlantic, underscore the need for the comprehensive search and rescue system such as Amver.

Please welcome:

• MARITIME EMERALD
• ATLANTIC JUPITER
• INDUSTRIAL DREAM
• CAP PASLEY
• CLIPPER KIRA
• DELTA IOS
• ANNNELISE THERSA
• STOLT PELICAN
• BOW SAGAMI
• MORNING CELESTA
• STX DAISY
• MIN RONG
• PHAROS SW
• MAERSK WINDHOEK
• BRIMANGER
• THOR
• CORELLA ARROW
• STRIGGLA
• APL ATLANTA
• JIA AN SHAN
• ITAL MODERNA
• CSAV RENAICO
• RONDEAU
• HYUNDAI COLOMBO
• FENGTUN FEI
• SAT NUNKI
• SONGA TOPAZ
• SONGA OPAL
• CMA CGM CENDRILLON
• ALP TEXAS
• FJELL
• ATLANTIC DIANA
• ZEBRA WIND
• OKINAWA
• ERICA

Are your ships enrolled? Sign them up today and become part of something dedicated to ensuring no call for help goes unanswered.

Photo credit: Fotolia

Amver Information Provided For Air France Search

Image via Wikipedia

The Amver system was called into action this week when an Air France jetliner went missing in the Atlantic Ocean. While commercial ships participating in the program expect to be called upon to search for fellow mariners in distress there are occasions where they are also enlisted to search for missing aircraft. In fact, Amver participants may also be called upon to assist in an emergency ditching of the Space Shuttle or NASA's new space craft, Orion.

United States Coast Guard search and rescue authorities from the Atlantic Area Command Center provided Amver surface picture information to rescue authorities in France. While it is difficult to tell if France diverted any commercial ships, it should be reassuring knowing Amver ships stand ready to assist in any maritime emergency.

Search and rescue authorities can learn how to request Amver data from the United States Coast Guard here.

Are you on an Amver ship? Have you diverted for an aircraft emergency?

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

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It's Internet Week In New York City

It's Internet Week in New York City. What's that got to do with Amver? Well, Amver is based in computer technology. It was the computer that helped bring vessel tracking to fruition. In the 1990s Amver launched a website and began accepting vessel position reports via email. Today Amver has a blog, Twitter account, Facebook page, Flickr account, and a YouTube channel.

Amver continues to embrace the internet by offering search and rescue controllers a way to request Amver data and providing information for sailors on ways to survive a rescue. Shipping companies can enroll their vessels on the internet and vessel crews can download the Amver user's manual (link to pdf), in several languages, from the internet.

The United States Coast Guard, led by efforts from Commandant Thad Allen, is expanding its use of the internet to share information with the public. The new Coast Guard blog, The Coast Guard Compass, is live and the Coast Guard magazine has migrated to an online version titled 1790 Online.

How has your company used the internet and social media? Share your stories with us.

Photo credit: uploaded to Flickr by sssteve.o

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Amver Rescue Update On Tall Ship Soren Larsen

Amver received word that the tall ship Soren Larsen was able to employ enough pumps to keep ahead of the water coming in and was sailing back to port. The Amver participating car carrier Tarago, diverted earlier by Rescue Coordination Center New Zealand to assist, was accompanying the stricken ship back to port. Thankfully the passengers are reported to be ok.

Thank you New Zealand Search and Rescue Controller Dave Wilson for thinking quickly and requesting an Amver surface picture. If you are a search and rescue controller and want to learn how you can request Amver data read this post. Requesting Amver data in your search and rescue region could mean the difference between life and death.

Has your RCC requested Amver data in the past? Was it helpful?

Amver Vessel Tarago Assisting Sinking Tall Ship

The Norwegian flagged car carrier Tarago, part of the Wilhelmsen Group and an Amver participant since October, 2000 was diverted by Rescue Coordination Center New Zealand to assist a tall ship in distress. According to rescue authorities in New Zealand the tall ship Soren Larsen, with 21 people on board, was taking on water "... faster than the pumps could handle..." when RCC New Zealand requested Amver assistance using the automated surface picture request form. The Tarago was identified through the Amver system and diverted to assist.

We will keep you updated on the status of the rescue operations.