Amver ship rescues 2 missing mariners near Chuuk

The Amver participating bulk carrier Solar Africa rescued 2 men from their 23 foot skiff near Chuuk in the Pacific Ocean on June 5, 2012. The 2 sailors were on a voyage from Namwin Atoll to Weno, Chuuk and were reported overdue, prompting the search.

The 623 foot bulker was contacted by rescue authorities in Guam to assist in the the search. Along with the Amver vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard coordinated with Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, a Marine Corps C-130 aircraft, and local rescue boats from the Federated States of Micronesia.

The crew of the Solar Africa were able to locate the skiff, launch a small boat, and rescue the two sailors. The Liberian flagged ship then sailed towards Chuuk to meet a local fishing vessel to transfer the survivors. There were no reports of injuries to the sailors. As of this post we do not know what happened to their skiff.

The Solar Africa, managed by Sojitz Marine and Engineering Corporation of Japan, enrolled in the Amver system on April 12, 2011 and earned one Amver participation award.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com