Amver ship sinks off Spanish coast

Tradewinds reported today that the Amver participating merchant ship, Kea, sank off the coast of Spain on a journey from Saint Petersburg to Columbia. The Kea enrolled in the Amver system in November, 2000.

Spanish and Portuguese rescue authorities rescued 22 crewmen, two remain missing.

We are happy the majority of the crew was rescued and hope the missing crewmen are located.

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

32 additional ships have enrolled in the Amver system in the past week. It's a good thing too. A South Korean war ship sank and the Nisshin Maru recently sank in the Naruto straight. The importance of Amver participation cannot be overstated. Participation means more resources available to save lives. You can be part of the network dedicated to safety at life at sea.

Here are the latest Amver members:

• LADY ROSENAY
• OCEAN DESTINY
• NEW DYNAMIC
• GAN-SKY
• MAERSK JEFFERSON
• CMA CGM MUSSET
• NORD SINGAPORE
• OVERSEAS MYKONOS
• ANGELA
• BUNGA BAKAWALI
• UBC LAGUNA
• DONG MAI
• DONG BA
• DONG THO
• WG TASMAN
• DONG PHU
• RATNA SHALINI
• MAHA ANOSHA
• ERRIA HELEN
• USHUAIA
• ANANGEL TRANSPORTER
• YAMABUKI
• AMALIENBORG
• NORTHERN JAGUAR
• TARGET
• COSCO JAPAN
• GOOD PRINCESS
• NORTON SOUND
• CONSTELLATION
• BUDAPEST EXPRESS
• LAURA
• DIAMAMTGRACHT

Thank you for joining the Amver ranks! We certainly hope you are never called upon to assist but we are grateful you are available. What is keeping you from enrolling?

Photo credit: Fotolia

MARAD Advisory- Guidance to vessels transiting high risk waters

The Maritime Administration has issued a new advisory to all vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and waters surrounding the Horn of Africa.

The advisory reminds vessels to comply with United States Coast Guard Maritime Security Directive (MARSEC) 104-6 (current version) to combat the continued threat of piracy. There has been a rash of piracy attacks around the Horn of Africa and maritime organizations are not taking the uptick in attacks lightly.

Many of the ships transiting the Gulf of Aden are enrolled in the Amver system. We would hate to see a vessel whose crew is dedicated to safety at sea become victim of a vessel hijacking.

What steps are you taking to avoid and deter piracy?

Related articles by Zemanta

• Most hijacked ships ignored safety precautions (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Canadian warship sails to counter terror threats (calgaryherald.com)

Sailing yacht California photos and update

Last week we blogged about the rescue of Clive Cockram and crew from the disabled sailing yacht California. The Amver participating Nord Nightingale performed the rescue at night during difficult sea conditions.

The Nord Nightingale provided some photos and an updated rescue summary we would like to share.

The Nord Nightingale used their MOB (Man Overboard Boat) to rescue Mr. Cockram on March 22, 2010. According to Captain Morten Helers, Master of the Nord Nightingale, Cockram was a bit unstable on his feet when brought aboard the Danish flagged tanker.



Radio Medical Denmark provided medical advice via satellite to the crew of the Nightingale as they attended to Mr. Cockram's wounds. Vital signs were checked and Mr. Cockram was given medication to prevent infection and the wound was cleaned.

In addition to the medical treatment, Mr. Cockram had an opportunity to clean up and eat a hearty meal. According to the ship's crew, by morning "... he was [in] a really good mood, didn't feel any pain [and] was just hungry."


Pictured from left to right Third Officer S. Olesen, Dennis Flynn, Chief Officer C. Bie, Clive Cockram

Thankfully the Nord Nightingale was enrolled in the Amver system. Your ship could be next to rescue someone in distress at sea. It's not just yachtsmen that require assistance. Amver vessels have been called on to search for aviation accidents and other maritime emergencies.

Will you enroll?

Photo credit: all photos courtesy of the crew of the Nord Nightingale

Amver tanker rescues Clive Cockram

The Amver participating tanker Nord Nightingale braved difficult sea conditions to rescue yachtsman Clive Cockram and another crew member from their stricken yacht after it lost its mast during a leg of the Clipper 09-10 race from Japan to Los Angeles.

According to a Tradewinds story, the Denmark flagged oil tanker Nord Nightingale, owned by Norden and skippered by an American master, was more than happy to provide assistance to the injured yachtsmen. The Nord Nighingale is reportedly sailing for the port of Los Angeles/Long Beach where Cockram and his colleague will disembark.

Photo credit: Rob In Transit

Welcome Wednesday!

Amver is hard at work at the CMA Shipping 2010. While we are trying to enroll more ships in the Amver system let's take a moment and recognize the 39 ships that have enrolled in the past week.

Welcome these new vessels to Amver:

• SEATTLE EXPRESS
• PRABHU SAKHAWAT
• CALLISTO
• LUISIA COLOSSUS
• BUNGA ALPINA
• IKAN SIAKAP
• KENTA
• KEN SEI
• AOM MILENA
• MURORAN
• SKYTHIA
• GLENDA MEREDITH
• XING HAI WAN
• HORIZON DIANA
• CSC AMETHYST
• GUAYAQUIL BRIDGE
• VIJAYANAGAR
• HAN SPIRIT
• OTOWASAN
• SALLALAH LNG
• SITEAM LEADER
• RBD SHANGHAI
• MOUNT KIBO
• BERA
• ITALIC G
• UGLJAN
• INDUSTRIAL DAWN
• ZETA I
• JOSEPH L BLOCK
• DE VROUW GEERTRUIDA
• SWISSCO 168
• E.R.BRANDENBURG
• BRIGHT LAKER
• FRJA SKANDIA
• STOLT FACTO
• ABDELKADER
• ANTILLES VI
• RUDDY
• LANCASTER
  

If you are at CMA Shipping 2010 come see us at booth G-104!

CMA Shipping 2010 day 1

Usually we write about Amver's adventures at trade shows and exhibitions. CMA Shipping 2010 started a little differently. Yes, there is lots of talk about finance, ship security, safety, the environment, and how to improve the impression people have about shipping. We always talk about that stuff. There is also an effort to recruit more ships and have them enroll in Amver as well.

What Dr. Hermann Klein said today at CMA Shipping 2010, however, really struck us as powerful.

Dr. Klein stated, during the opening panel, that "...the maritime industry doesn't cause pollution, our desire for more and more goods causes it..."

Want to catch what else is being said about CMA Shipping 2010? You can follow us on Twitter or search hashtag #shipping10 or follow the CMA Twitter list put together by Coracle.

That sums it up doesn't it?

Photo credit: Fotolia

Off to Shipping 2010

It's early Monday morning and the Amver staff is packing up our swag and heading to Stamford for the Connecticut Maritime Association Shipping 2010 Comference and
Exhibition.

Follow the events on Twitter with hashtag #shipping10 and stay tuned to our blog for updates.

Better yet, visit Amver in booth G-104! See you there!

Welcome Wednesday!

While we haven't had Amistad enroll in Amver yet there were 13 other ships that have signed up. It's always interesting to look at the IMO number of the ships. You can often tell how old a ship is by its IMO number. Who are the lucky 13 enrolling in Amver this week? Let's take a look:

• VIENNA EXPRESS
• CORDOBA
• GRACEFUL MADONNA
• SEAVICTORY
• E.R. BAVARIA
• TOHOKU MARU
• BELUGA FORESIGHT
• MORNING MIRACLE
• ZAMBEZI STAR
• ALASKA SPIRIT
• CHEM LYRA
• STOLT ADVANCE
• FS AQUARIUS
• SEAHOPE II
• STAR KINN
• SANKO LYNX
• YASA KAPTAN ERBIL

Photo credit: Fotolia

Amver from the archives

Here is a great story originally published in the March 1967 Amver Bulletin.

Medicos
An ill engineer aboard the British refrigerated cargo ship ROCKHAMPTON STAR resulted in the ship's asking for a list of doctor ships in the area so she could arrange a transfer. The vessel, outbound from the Pacific from the Panama Canal, reported to Coast Guard New York on February 24 that she had been receiving medical advice from the surgeon on board the British liner GOTHIC. However, his condition, suspected kidney trouble, had worsened until a transfer to a doctor ship seemed wise. An Amver surface picture predicted the British cargo ship RANGITANE to be about 400 miles away, on an east north east course toward Balboa. Arrangements were made between the two ships, and they altered their courses so a redezvous was made late the following day. The ill engineer was transferred to the doctor ship without mishap.

We hope you enjoyed this story from the past!

Photo credit: bluestarline.org

Rescue of the Tumblweed

If you have ever wondered what an Amver rescue look like just watch the video below. Keep in mind, however, this is in day light and near perfect conditions. No high winds or heavy seas here!

Our thanks to the Explorer of the Seas for the rescue and mbjboyle for posting the video to YouTube.

Don't forget about the Amver video project!



Can't see the video? Click here

The pirate stock exchange

We couldn't believe it when we read it. In fact, the whole Amver staff was a bit surprised seeing the Financial Post headline Pirate stock exchange helps fund hijackings. But the truth is, according to Reuters reporter Mohamed Ahmed, there are approximately 72 companies "listed" on the exchange or "community activity" as one hijacker called it.

Is the exchange a success? 10 of the 72 listed companies had successful hijackings! The exchange is set up in the Somali town of Hardaheere which is about 250 miles northeast of Mogadishu. The Post's story quoted a town official as saying the pirate exchange and piracy activities are the main economy of the region. The ransom money even funds the public school system!

The exchange is open 24 hours a day and with ransoms paying between $2 and $4 million dollars, business is booming!

What do you think of this? Ingenious or insulting?


Photo credit: Fotolia

Related articles by Zemanta

• Somali pirate stock-market: "we've made piracy a community activity." (boingboing.net)
• Somali Pirates Diversify on Terra Firma (nytimes.com)
• Somali pirates create local Wall Street (americablog.com)

I am Amver video project

Since the IMO declared 2010 the Year of the Seafarer we thought we could expand on that campaign and put together an Amver video.

Amver would not be a success without the work and dedication of mariners and rescue controllers. The other part of Amver are the survivors. All of these pieces make the Amver story complete. With that in mind we want to bring these pieces together in a video. Hence the birth of the I am Amver project.



Can't see the video? Click here.

What do we want you to do? Shoot a video of you at work, on your ship, the dock, anywhere. Identify yourself- "I am first mate Ben Strong and I am Amver", is perfect! "I am Ben Strong and I sail on the Anthemis; I am Amver", is another great thing to share.

Maybe you are a search and rescue controller. Tell us your story. Shoot a group video of your shift. "We save lives, we are Amver", would look great on film! Are you a survivor? How about a short video of your experience closing with "I am Amver".

Upload your video to YouTube making sure to tag the video #iamamver. Make sure you use the hash tag symbol. This makes searching for the videos easier.

Upload your videos by April 30 and we will review and edit them into a final project to debut in May.

You are Amver! You make the system a success. Tell us your story so we can share it with the world!

Welcome Wednesday!

Bob Dorough may have written Three is a Magic Number but at Amver we think 29 is a magic number, at least for this week. 29 is the number of vessels enrolled in the past week. Who are these crews? You can meet them here-

• VALENTINE
• HOEGH COPENHAGEN
• RIVERTEC
• AN CHANG
• B WHALE
• SANKO LIBRA
• PACIFIC IRMA
• LEO FELICITY
• CAPE YAMABUKI
• NATALIE SCHULTE
• POUNDA
• ORIENT CAVALIER
• MTM WESTPORT
• MIRAMARIN
• GODRI INDAH
• EAGLE KUCHING
• TAWA ARROW
• BEAUTEMPS-BEAUPRE
• CAPE NORTHVILLE
• SAKAIDE MARU
• ASIAN VENTURE
• CSAV RIO MAIPO
• MARIOS G
• KEN GIANT
• LEOPARD
• LEO FLEICITY
• NORDIC PASSAT
• FELICITY
• SANKO MERCURY

Thank you for enrolling in the world's largest voluntary search and rescue program!

Photo credit: Fotolia

It's a busy week in maritime search and rescue

This is a busy week in the maritime search and rescue. The Sub-Committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue is meeting in London. No doubt some interesting issues will evolve from those proceedings. Agenda items include GMDSS, the Cospas-SARSAT system, revisions to the IAMSAR manual, and revisions to the standards for float free 406 MHz EPIRBs.

While all of those items are of importance to the maritime and search and rescue community it is important to remember stalwart/legacy systems such as Amver as well. Just last week several ships were ice bound in the Baltic Sea. This situation could have led to large scale rescue operations if ice breakers couldn't free the vessels. Thankfully the vessels were all freed.

Here is some video of the ice breaking operations.



Can't see the video? Click here.

How does your company prepare for search and rescue operations on your vessels. How many survivors could your vessel embark and how long could you care for them? Important questions as more cruise/passenger vessels transit austere conditions.


Photo credit: Fotolia

Related articles by Zemanta

• Shackleton Also Had this Problem (slog.thestranger.com)
• Stuck ferries freed from ice off Sweden (cnn.com)

Piracy or terrorism?

The lines between piracy and terrorism were blurred this week when the Singapore Navy received a warning that terror groups would be targeting oil or product tankers in the Malacca Straights.

The Malacca Straights is a region familiar with piracy, although the incidents of piracy in the Straight have been on the decline. Many Amver ships transit the Malacca Straight and we urge you to follow precautions previously outlined by the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has also testified about its efforts in fighting piracy around the Horn of Africa.

This latest threat, however, is a bit different that outright piracy. It seems the thugs threatening shipping in Singapore are intent on either destroying an oil tanker or making us quake in our boots over the threat of an oil tanker being destroyed.

What's your take on this threat? Is it credible? Does it reignite the debate on carrying armed guards on ships?

Photo credit: Fotolia

Related articles by Zemanta

• Singapore Warns of Strait Attack (online.wsj.com)
• Pirates seize Norwegian tanker off Madagascan coast (cnn.com)

Amver cruise ship struck by rogue wave

It's been widely reported the cruise ship Louis Majesty was struck by a rogue wave in the Mediterranean. Sadly two passengers died as a result. The Louis Majesty is enrolled in the Amver system.

Our friends at gCaptain have an excellent post including the AIS voyage data and a video of the incident. NOAA has some excellent information on rogue waves while the NOAA Ocean Prediction Center offers a site featuring sea surface temperature and ocean current models. There have even been conferences specifically devoted to the study of rogue waves and ocean behavior.

Has your ship be hit by a rogue wave?

Photo credit: Fotolia

Craig Eason says "I'm on a boat"- just not an Amver boat

Lloyd's List technical editor Craig Eason is on a boat. Not just any boat, but the Sovcomflot operated Kapitan Gotsky. He is underway sailing through the Arctic and blogging about his adventures. We checked out the ship and found it isn't enrolled in Amver!

So Craig- between blogging, standing watch, writing and editing stories, and relaxing with the crew can we get you to convince the crew to enroll in Amver?

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

It's been a busy week at sea! The Pacific Ocean faced a tsunami warning while a wicked winter storm churned in the Atlantic Ocean. All reasons to be part of the Amver safety network. Thankfully another 26 ships enrolled in Amver last week. How does enrollment stack up to this time last year? In 2009 there were 94 ships enrolled in Amver in the first two months of the year. This year there have been 297 ships enrolled! Thank you for accepting the challenge and making sure no call for help goes unanswered. Welcome the latest members of Amver:

• STX GLORIS
• MATAKANA ISLAND
• CMA CGM BUTTERFLY
• NORTHERN JASPER
• ZIM SAN DIEGO
• ELEGANT ACE
• BITTERN
• HOWERIFF
• TRANQUIL ACE
• BLUE CORAL
• VANY RICKMERS
• CANARY
• JPO VOLANS
• CENTRANS LUCKY
• OKHOTSK SEA
• KAMARI
• STEALTH ARGENTINA
• FAIRMOUNT SHERPA
• VAAGEN
• RUNE VIKING
• TROCHUS
• OMS QUEST
• PORTO
• FRISIUM
• NAVIGATOR TAURUS
• REPUBBLICA DI VENEZIA

What's keeping you from enrolling? Cost, trust, value? Let us know so we can help you in your decision.

Photo credit: Fotolia

1962, Amver in review

Originally printed in the Amver Bulletin, December, 1962.


We are often tempted to measure the success of Amver by the number of newly participating vessels and by the number of Surface Pictures furnished. In 1962 for example, an analysis of our statistics indicates the following breakdown:

• New participants 323
• Surface Pictures furnished 939

However, Surface Pictures are but a means to an end-the safety of life and property at sea; and increases in participation are really not as significant as the result of this participation-lives saved. During the past year [1962], Atlantic Merchant VEssel Report (AMVER) System participants provided assistance to or saved the lives of approximately 224 people.

Specifically, these people were assisted in the following situations:

• MEDICO 28
• Aircraft Distress 48
• Disabled or Missing Surface Vessel 148

This figure, more than any other, makes worthwhile the unselfish voluntary support given by the world's merchant marine to the maritime mutual assistance program. The stories of the 54 passengers saved at ANGLO MAERSK/OWFK sinking, a life or death operation for a seaman from GYLFE/JXDB, two ailing Coast Guardsmen evacuated from Ocean Station DELTA/4YD, 29 rescued from MV HOPEDALE, 7 survivors of the Greek freighter CAPTAIN GEORGE/SVTY, and 48 survivors of the Flying Tigers airliner ditching, are highlights of a year in which all hands should take pride.

We sure have come a long way since 1962! Amver achieved an all time high of 3,809 ships on plot in 2009, enrolled 1,417 ships and saved 237 lives.

Are you an Amver veteran? Tell us your stories!


Photo credit: Amver/USCG historical photo

Dear vessel Amistad, want to join Amver?

There has been a lot of attention on tall ships recently after the loss of the Canadian tall ship Concordia. Peter Mello, over at the Sea Fever Blog, has been documenting the entire case quite well.

It got us thinking about all the tall ships that may be out on the water. Are they enrolled in Amver? Then we saw this tweet from the tall ship Amistad. We checked the Amver database and saw they aren't enrolled in the system!

So Amistad, will you enroll in Amver?

You can help encourage the Amistad to join Amver by contacting them here.

Photo credit: Nebulant