Amver Awards in the Bahamas

On Wednesday, August 29, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman officially recognized Bahamian registered companies and ships that consistently demonstrate strong participation in the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue system.

The USCG created an annual Amver Awards Program as a way of rewarding those ships which remain "on plot" for at least 128 days in a calendar year.  Amver awards are a tribute to the support of a ship's crew, management, and ownership, which is so integral to the program's success. The basic premise of Amver is that it serves as a vehicle for mariners to help each other without regard to nationality.

The companies recognized during the Amver awards ceremony at the U.S. Embassy included Campbell Shipping Company Ltd. and Clipper Group Ltd. Each company representative was presented with a Letter of Appreciation, a Certificate of Merit to each ship, and a colored Amver pennant, representing a ship's continuous participation in the program.

In 2011, The Bahamas received twenty-three blue pennants, denoting that a vessel completed its first year of participation and is being honored for the first time.

Photo credit: U.S. State Dept