Happy New Year from Amver

Amver wishes everyone a safe and happy 2014!

 

 

UPDATE: M/V AkademikShokalskiy rescue

The Russian research vessel Akademik Shokalskiy remains beset in ice with 74 passengers near Antarctica. Despite multiple rescue attempts by the Amver vessels Xue Long and Aurora Australis, neither vessel can safely make their way through the thick ice. According to a release by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the Aurora Australis was at risk of becoming beset by ice if it continued to make rescue attempts.

Preparations are now being made to airlift the passengers off the Akademik Shokalskiy by helicopter to the Chinese ice breaker and ferry them to the Aurora Australis by barge. According to the latest update, weather conditions were not suitable for an immediate airlift, but passengers were preparing a landing zone.



Can't see the video? Click here.

Professor Chris Turney, expedition leader, continues to provide updates via Twitter.

Amver vessels play a critical role in rescuing people at sea. This case is another example of the right ship, in the right place, can make the difference between life and death. We applaud the efforts of our international search and rescue partners. You can learn more about the Amver program here.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com

Video credit: Professor Chris Turney



 

Amver ships sailing to assist Russian ship near Antarctica

M/V Akademik Shokalskiy

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is sending three Amver participating vessels to assist the Russian passenger vessel Akademik Shokalskiy which is beset in ice near Antarctica, approximately 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart.

Rescue authorities in Australia were notified early Christmas morning after the rescue center in Falmouth, United Kingdom received the Akademik Shokalskiy's distress message and relayed it to Australia.

The 74 people aboard the 233 foot Russian flagged ship, which also is enrolled part of the Amver system, are reported to be in good health and some are tweeting about their adventures.

Professor Chris Turney, leader of the expedition, posted a short video about the situation.



Can't see the video? Click here.

Australian rescue authorities have diverted the vessels L'Astrolable, Xue Long, and the Australian Antarctic Division vessel Aurora Australis. The vessels should arrive on the scene within two days.

If you're curious about the Amver system and how we save lives at sea you can learn more about Amver here.

We'll keep posting updates as we learn them.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com

Video credit: YouTube
 

Merry Christmas from Amver

Wishing everyone a very joyous holiday and Merry Christmas.

Welcome Wednesday!

Another 26 vessels have enrolled in Amver in the past week. During the holiday season it's easy to forget those at sea. Take a moment and keep seafarers in mind. Now, help us welcome the latest members of the Amver safety network.

• WU GUI SHAN
• DA LI HU
• CELSO FURTADO
• AANYA
• ATHINA M
• FRIO ARKHANGELSK
• SVS KIDD
• SEACOR RESOLUTE
• BOURGAINVILLE
• TORILL KNUTSEN
• LIMITLESS
• BAHRI JEDDAH
• BISAN CLOVER
• SIANGTAN
• KOTA LESTARI
• SUPRA CHALLENGER I
• HOS CAROLINA
• NATHAN BRANDON
• NAVIOS BUENA VENTURA
• RTM DJULPAN
• NAVIOS BONAVIS
• KOSZALIN
• NAVIOS CENTAURUS
• NAVIOS LUMEN
• NAVIOS AZIMUTH
• CMA CGM NEVADA

Photo credit: Fotolia

Mug Shot! Amver participant M/V Mukaddes Kalkavan

Besides meeting survivors on Amver ships, the next best thing we get to do is spend time with the crews of ships that participate in the Amver system.

On Wednesday, December 11, 2013 we had the opportunity to go aboard the Marshall Island flagged container ship Mukaddes Kalkavan in New Jersey. Captain Erdem Yilmaz, and his entire Turkish crew, were very hospitable. The U.S. Coast Guard was performing a Port State Control inspection and we decided to tag along and thank the crew for their enrollment and participation in Amver. Want to know what to expect when the Coast Guard boards your ship? You can learn that by listening to this interview with a Port State Control inspector.

While we were talking with the crew we learned they were having difficulty with their voluntary weather observation reporting and we contacted a NOAA Port Meteorological Officer to fix that issue.

Finally, Amver Director Benjamin Strong presented an Amver coffee mug to the Captain as a token of appreciation for the crew's dedication to safety at sea. The Mukaddes Kalkavan, managed by Turkon Holdings, enrolled in Amver on November 27, 2012.

Photo credit: Amver

Welcome Wednesday!

Somewhere a seafarer is away from home, underway, perhaps in foul weather. That seafarer may have a spouse or child at home. That seafarer is delivering good to a far off port, ensuring commerce continues and life can go on. That seafarer may be delivering life saving medicine, food or grain to offset a famine, or relief supplies to a community devastated by storms. The seafarer might have supplies for troops in a far off land, or parts for manufacturing.

Keep seafarers in your thoughts this holiday season. And help us welcome the seafarers that have made a commitment to safety at sea by enrolling in the Amver system.

• AMELIE
• WILPRIDE
• ZHENG JUN
• MISS MARILENE TIDE
• Q SUE
• EVRIDIKI
• EVINOS
• VALE LIANYUNGANG
• PS PALIOS
• SEA NEPTUNE
• INDIAN HARMONY
• VISHVA UDAY
• ANDES QUEEN
• XIN LIAN 1210 HAO
• FREEDOM
• CAP SAN AUGESTIN
• KAPITAN NAZIN

Photo credit: Fotolia

Amver ship rescues 26 from burning tanker

The Amver participating bulk carrier Maiden Voyage rescued 26 crewmen from the tanker Theresa Bitung after it caught fire while sailing from China's Zhoushan Islands to Singapore on Wednesday, November 27, 2013.

According to reports from the Maiden Voyage, they were only 22 miles away from the tanker when they heard the distress call. Maiden Voyage Captain Hernesto Caluya immediately notified rescue authorities, alerted other ships in the area, and diverted the Supramax carrier to rescue the crew of the Theresa Bitung.

Within an hour of the initial distress call the master of the Theresa Bitung reported the fire was out of control and the entire crew was abandoning ship. The Maiden Voyage arrived shortly thereafter and lowered a rescue boat, embarking all 26 crew members from a lifeboat and two rafts.

Captain Caluya notified all ships in the area the crew of the Theresa Bitung were safe and had his ship continue to Hong Kong. The Marshall Island flagged Maiden Voyage, manage by Starbulk Carriers of Athens, Greece, enrolled in the Amver system  on January 2, 2013 and will earn its first Amver participation award in 2014.


Photo credit: crew of the Maiden Voyage

Welcome Wednesday!

Who enrolled in Amver this week? Let's take a look! Keep our seafarers in mind this holiday season. They remain at sea, delivering the good we rely on every day. In the meantime, help us welcome the new additions to the Amver safety network.

• POLARCUS NAILA
• LAKE DAWN
• CELSIUS MANHATTAN
• DOGAN
• REIHOU
• SIDER COLUMBIA
• AERIKO
• HAGGERTY GIRLS
• ORDU
• NESTOR
• GOLDEN DIAMOND
• STADT GERA
• IKAN LUDING
• SUN LUCIA
• IBIS WIND
• MSC LAUREN
• JS YANGTSE
• CHRYSANTHI S
• SERTANEJO SPIRIT
• MSM DON
• LEWEK ALTAIR
• XIN TANG SHAN HAI 1
• KN FOREST

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

For mariners in the United States, Happy Thanksgiving! We should all be thankful for the amazing work done by ALL seafarers, regardless of the holiday season. Without a robust maritime community those BlueRay players, winter coats, fruits and vegetables from warmer climates, and smartphones won't make it in time for Christmas.

We should also be thankful for the seafarers who make the extra commitment to safety at sea by enrolling in the Amver system.  Help us welcome the latest vessels to join us.

• AEOLIAN SUN
• ALPINE TRADER
• ANTEA
• APL VANDA
• BOGA INDAH
• CAP SAN LORENZO
• COLUMBA
• CROSBY DIVINITY
• CRYSTAL SUNRISE
• CS SATIRA
• DORIC BREEZE
• HARVEST SKY
• HECTOR
• ISTRIA
• ITHOMI
• MINERAL PEARL
• MORNING CAPO
• MSC ALGHERO
• NAVE TITAN
• NIREAS
• PACIFIC LAPIS
• SAMMY
• SITC HUASHAN
• SVS MONCK
• THORCO AFRICA
• UWE JENS LORNSEN
• WOODSIDE GOODE
• XIN LIAN 1106 HAO
• YU XIAO FENG

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

As we enter the traditional holiday season it's easy to forget the men and woman at sea. November is a dangerous time at sea with unpredictable weather and the rush to deliver goods on time. Amver enrollment remains as important as ever, even as we begin to think of shore leave, family, and the upcoming holiday season. Please consider joining our global voluntary search and rescue system.

• BAHARI ARASCO
• BOSTON
• CMA CGM ANAPURNA
• CROSBY COMMODORE
• CROSBY TROJAN
• EVER LEGEND
• FAST SKIPPER
• HOS RENISSANCE
• MARINE RICKMERS
• MCC BENOA
• MCC MUARA
• MCC SHANGHAI
• MCC SHNZHEN
• MSM DOURO
• NANJING EXPRESS
• NAVIGATOR GLORY
• PROUD SEAS
• RIDGEBURRY LESSLEY B
• SEACLIPPER
• THORCO LEGEND
• UNITED VENTURE

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

Who entolled Amver this week? Take a look!

 

• ALDER
• BIBBY POLARIS
• BLUE STAR
• CAPE PROVIDENCE
• CMM MARIACHI
• DENSA SEAL
• FORTUNE FREIGHTER
• FORTUNE NAVIGATOR
• GIORGOS DRACOPOULOS
• GREAT MANTA
• HYUNDAI FAITH
• ICARUS
• KOTA CEPAT
• LAN HA
• LUCKY STAR
• MSC DIVINA
• NCC FAJR
• OLYMPUS
• SONG NGAN
• THOR PIONEER
• TIEN YEN
• UACC MARAH
• UBC MONTEGO BAY
• VINH AN
• VINH HOA
• VINH HUNG
• VINH THUAN
• VOSCO SUNRISE
• VSC POSEIDON

 

Amver ship rescues Canadian 400 miles north of Puerto Rico

The combined efforts of a good Samaritan sailboat, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, and several Amver ships resulted in the rescue of a severely dehydrated 61 year old Canadian man from a sailboat 400 miles north of Puerto Rico on Monday, November 4, 2013.

Coast Guard rescue authorities in Sector San Juan received notification from the sailing vessel Enzo, via satellite phone, on Sunday, November 3, 2013 and diverted the Amver participating reefer Chiquita Scandinavia. The Bahamian flagged ship arrived on scene and deployed a rescue boat but was unable to safely embark the yachtsman because of 3 meter waves and winds greater than 20 knots. Rescue authorities also diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant with a rescue helicopter and another Amver ship, the AS Vincentia, to assist in the rescue effort.

Once the AS Vincentia was on scene the crew was able to safely bring the sailor aboard and treated him for severe dehydration. The AS Vincentia, managed by Christian F. Ahrenkiel of Hamburg, Germany, then changed course to meet the Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen helicopter.

The helicopter lowered a rescue swimmer who provided initial medical care and hoisted the Canadian aboard the helicopter where he was taken to waiting EMS  personnel. The sailor was later transported to Centro Medico Hospital.

The Chiquita Scandinavia enrolled in the Amver system on January 1, 1992 and has earned 21 awards for participation and the AS Vincentia enrolled in Amver on December 4, 2010 and earned three awards for participation.

Photo credit: crew of the M/V AS Vincentia

Welcome Wednesday!

Every week we take a moment and recognize the latest ships that enrolled in the Amver system. This week is no different. Today we welcome another 22 ships that joined the Amver safety network.

• ANAGEL OCEAN
• ATLANTIC FAIRY
• C-CHAMPION
• CAPE VERDE
• CENITO
• CHEMICAL AQUARIUS
• CIELO DI PARERMO
• HERBANIA
• HUAMINE
• HYUNDAI GLOBAL
• MONESTENA
• MSC ARBATAX
• MSC VANESSA
• OCEAN FUTURE
• PISTI
• SAMUDRIKA-2
• SARI INDAH
• STAR LUSTER
• STI LE ROCHER
• UNITED WORLD
• WUCHOW
• XIN HONG

Photo credit: Fotolia

Greek Amver ship saves Canadian sailor

A 61 year old Canadian sailor aboard a disabled sailboat 700 miles east of Cape Cod, Mass., activated his commercial emergency beacon and was rescued by an Amver ship early Tuesday morning.

U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators from Boston, Mass. coordinated the rescue after they were notified at 8 a.m. Monday morning. A Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, NC., HC-130 search aircraft launched and located the sailboat. The 652-foot commercial ship Bishu Highway and the Amver participating bulk carrier Athina L were also diverted to assist.

The Bishu Highway arrive on the scene at approximately 2:45 p.m. Monday, and established communications with the Easy Go. The solo yachtsman reported he was uninjured, but the boat had lost its main sail and he was unable to make way. The Bishu Highway was unable to rescue the sailor due to a 50-foot height of the hull above the water, but stayed on scene until the Athina L arrived.

The Athina L arrived on scene at approximately 5 a.m. Tuesday and, braving 20 foot seas and 40 knot winds, safely embarked the sailor. He was uninjured and will stay aboard the Athena L until it reaches its next port of Hunterston, U.K.

The Liberian flagged Athina L, managed by the Kyla Shipping Company, enrolled in the Amver system on October 14, 2011 and has earned one Amver participation award.

Photo credit: M/V Athina L.

Welcome Wednesday!

Another week has passed and more ships have enrolled in the Amver system. We are proud to share this list with you. We hope this acknowledgement of the shipping communities commitment to safety at sea will serve as encouragement for other companies to join Amver. Now, help us welcome the latest members of the Amver safety network.

• ALMIRANTE SABOIA
• BAHRI JAZAN
• BOB FRANCO
• CHILOE ISLAND
• COMANDANTE TORO
• CONNOR BORDELON
• DATO SUCCESS
• EAGLE VERONA
• ELBFEEDER
• FAIRCHEM SWORD
• GL COLMENA
• JERICHO BEACH
• ODYSSEA DUKE
• ODYSSEAS
• PANVISION
• PETKUM
• POLARCUS AMANI
• RIN YO
• SEAGLORY
• SEAHORSE P
• VANTAGE

Photo credit: Fotolia

Amver awards in The Bahamas

On September 30, U.S. Charge d'Affaires John Dinkelman and Lieutenant Commander Doug Jannusch, the U.S. Coast Guard Liaison Officer to The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, officially recognized award winning Bahamian flagged vessels and their companies for their strong participation in the Amver system. Attended by representatives of registered companies and government ministries, the award ceremony also provided an opportunity to redouble vigilance regarding search and rescue, recreational boater safety, and aids to navigation.

Three companies were recognized during this year's ceremony held at the U.S. Embassy. Bahamas Ferries Limited, Campbell Shipping Company Limited and Clipper Group.

Congratulations and thank you to these companies for a job well done!

Photo credit: U.S. Embassy Bahamas

Welcome Wednesday!

Now that the Federal shutdown has ended we're please to bring you the weekly update of what vessels have enrolled in the Amver system. Since we last posted in September over 100 ships have joined! Help us welcome them.

• ALAM SAYANG
• ALAM SETIA
• ALGOMA EQUINOX
• ALMI MARINER
• ANANGEL COURAGE
• ANANGEL NOBILITY
• APL CHARLESTON
• ATLAS
• BALCHEN
• BEAGLE
• BESIKTAS GH
• BOSSA NOVA SPIRIT
• BROADWAY
• BULK GENIUS
• CAPE DREAM
• CARLO MARTELLO
• CHRISTIANNA
• CHRISTINA DEBORA
• CINDY MOZEL
• CLIPPER LOTUS
• CSAV RECIFE
• DATO LUCKY
• DEAN EDWARD TAYLOR
• DELTA STAR
• DENSA PANTHER
• ELINCA
• FEDERAL TWEED
• FENG HUANG FENG
• FREJA PHOENIX
• FU RONG FENG
• FUJI HORIZON
• GAS SERENITY
• GASLOG SYDNEY
• GAZELA
• GDF SUEZ GHENT
• GLOBAL ROUND
• GRACE DAHLIA
• GRAIN PEARL
• GREAT HOPE
• GUNGA
• HAPPY LADY
• HERMES ISLAND
• HIGH CURRENT
• HOKKAIDO BULKER
• HOS RED ROCK
• HYUNDAI DUBAI
• HYUNDAI MASAN
• INFINITY 9
• JO REDWOOD
• JONA
• JUBILANT FUTURE
• KEY MISSION
• KING CANOLA
• KINGS ROAD
• KONSTANTINOS II
• LENA RIVER
• MAY OLDENDORFF
• MCP HAMBURG
• MEPHISTO
• MILLENNIUM FALCON
• MOL QUARTZ
• MSC CARINA
• MSC PALOMA
• NAVE CAPELLA
• NINGBO SEA LION
• NORD MUMBAI
• OCEAN HEAVEN
• OCEAN HOPE 3
• OMIROS L
• OOCL BANGKOK
• PACIFIC CALM
• PACIFIC HARMONY
• PACIFIC HERO
• PACIFIC VULCAN
• PAGOLA
• PEACE PEARL
• REBECCA SCHULTE
• RICKMERS SAVANNAH
• RIO CHOAPA
• ROBIN WIND
• SAINTY VOGUE
• SEAWAYS 22
• SIKULIAQ
• SIMURGH
• SKANDI MAROY
• STAR LOEN
• STX AMBER
• SUSE
• TATRY
• TAURUS
• THALASSA HELLAS
• THORCO AMBER
• TRADING FABRIZIA
• TRENLAND
• UBC CYPRUS
• UNITED CROWN
• VALENCE
• VIKING EMERALD
• VIKING OCEAN
• VIKING ODESSA
• VIKING SEA
• WHALE SONG
• WUCHANG
• ZHONG XIN PEARL

Photo credit: Fotolia

National Maritime Center operations during shutdown

For Amver participants and mariners who want to know the status of the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center this is from CAPT Jeffrey Novotny, NMC Commanding Officer.

This notice serves to notify the maritime industry that Government has officially shutdown. The National Maritime Center (NMC) is authorized to maintain a very small cadre of personnel to support National Security emergent issues. The NMC will:

• Maintain the  Customer Service Call Center. 888-IASKNMC will be open and monitored from 0800 until 2000 hours Eastern Time Monday through Friday. Regional Exam Center and NMC phones will not be monitored.
• Maintain the website. We will attempt to keep the industry up to date on our status via the website.
• Regional Exam Centers will be closed.
• Exam appointments will be cancelled and must be rescheduled after the shutdown is lifted. On-line scheduling will be disabled.
• Appointments to drop off applications will be cancelled and must be rescheduled after the shutdown is lifted. On-line scheduling will be disabled. 
• There will be no walk-ins.
• Applications may continue to be mailed or emailed and will be processed when the shutdown is lifted.

The NMC recognizes the shutdown will have an impact on the maritime industry. We will do whatever we can to minimize the impact and recovery as quickly as possible once the shutdown is lifted.

Amver office is open

While the lapse in appropriations continues and the U.S. Government remains closed, the Amver office is open with limited operations.

Vessels and crews may still enroll in the Amver system and Amver reports will still be received and processed.

Rescue coordination centers can still request Amver Surface Picture information to manage search and rescue cases.

The Amver system remains operational during this temporary lack of funding.

Amver offices are closed

Due to a lack of funding this blog will not be maintained and the Amver office staff are unavailable. Vessels and crews may still enroll in the Amver system and Amver reports will still be received and processed. Our social media sites will not be updated.

Rescue coordination centers can still request Amver Surface Picture information to manage search and rescue cases.

The Amver system will remain operational during this temporary lack of funding.

We appreciate the support and dedication of the world's seafarers and look forward to serving you again soon.

Welcome Wednesday!

We're in Russia attending NEVA 2013 in Saint Petersburg. We're here to share the Amver story and to present Amver awards to participants from the Russian Federation. While we're here, we also want to be sure to recognize the latest members of the Amver family. Here are the latest ships to enroll in the system.

• AM ANNABA
• APL SAVANNAH
• BLUMENAU
• CANON TRADER I
• CLIPPER IYO
• CRIMSON MAJESTY
• FENNY 
• FRONT ARROW
• GEORGITSI
• GLOVIS MERMAID
• HARVEY DEEP SEA
• HAWAI
• HOS COMMANDER
• IBUKI MARU
• KEA
• KEN KON
• KOTA CEMPAKA
• LUMINOUS NOVA
• MAYAVIYA TWENTY ONE
• MANDARIN RIVER
• MARSTAN
• MOL COSMOS
• MSC AGRIGENTO
• ODYSSEAS L
• RTM DHAMBUL
• SAMUDRA RATNAKAR
• SCI YAMUNA
• SKANDI HUGEN
• TABUN
• TAHER
• TOCHO
• UNITED DIGNITY
• WEST VELA

Photo credit: Fotolia

Visit Amver in Russia at NEVA 2013

The Amver team will be exhibiting at NEVA 2013 in Saint Petersburg, Russia next week in booth 712. The Amver team will be available to answer questions and help you enroll your ships. We are also hosting an Amver awards ceremony to recognize Amver participants from the Russian Federation. We look forward to seeing you at NEVA 2013!

Команда Amver будет участвовать в выставке НЕВА 2013 в Санкт-Петербурге, Россия на следующей неделе на стенде 712. Команда Amver будет готов ответить на вопросы и помочь вам записать вашего суда. Мы также хостинг церемонии Amver премий в знак признания Amver участников из России. Мы с нетерпением ждем встречи с вами на НЕВА 2013!

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day

Today is international Talk Like a Pirate Day! So avast me hearties, shiver your timbers and perch a parrot on your shoulder. But while you say Arrrr and wear an eye patch keep, this in mind- Piracy is still a serious scourge on the maritime sector and a danger to Amver participants.

The economic cost of piracy

In fact, according to the website Save Our Seafarers, piracy costs the world approximately:

$2,710 million  in fuel costs of increased speeds of vessels transiting through high risk areas

$1,270 million for military operations

$1,100 million for security equipment and armed guards

$635 million is attributed to insurance

$580 million is spent on re-routing vessels along the western coast of India

$195 million is estimated for increased labor costs and danger pay for seafarers

$160 million is paid in ransoms

$16 million is spent on the prosecution and imprisonment of Somali pirates

The human cost of piracy are even greater.

So while it may be fun to talk like a pirate today, keep in mind the terrible cost real piracy costs each of us.

Photo credit: Fotolia

 

Welcome Wednesday!

It's that time of the week. Time to recognize the latest members of the Amver system. Ships join Amver for a variety of reasons. You can be part of the world's voluntary search and rescue system, enrolling is easy. In the meantime, help us welcome our latest participants.

• AFRICAN OSPREY
• AIDABELLA
• ARAON
• AZURE BULKER
• C-COMMODORE
• DANUBIA
• EVIACEMENT I
• GEELVINCK
• GOLDEN TRADER I
• KAIYU MARU
• MARAN CLEO
• MIKAWA
• MOL HORIZON
• REINHOLD SCHULTE
• SKANDI BERGEN
• YM MOVEMENT

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

While we thank the thousands of seafarers who enroll in Amver each week, we also reflect on how the world changed 12 years ago. Take time to reflect, on both the world we live in today and the incredible contribution mariners make. Thank you.

• ARCTIC AURORA
• CMB POMEROL
• DURGA DEVI
• ESMERALDA
• FREJA LIBRA
• HOEGH CARIBIA
• JERVIS BAY
• JO ROWAN
• JP CORAL
• LION KING
• MARJA
• NANDU ARROW
• NEDIM
• NEWMARKET 1
• NORD NANAMI
• NORDIC WIND
• PACIFIC KHAMSIN
• SONANGOL PORTO AMBOIM
• VIKING CONSTANZA
• VIKING PRINCESS

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

It may be a slow news week for Amver but that's not a bad thing. If we're not writing lots of stories, it means people aren't in distress at sea. Thankfully we continue to have an interest in enrolling in Amver and today we welcome another 27 ships. Should an emergency develop at sea, there are thousands of vessels available to render assistance. Help us welcome the latest ships to enroll in Amver.

• ADESSA OCEAN KING
• ANNE
• ANTWERPEN EXPRESS
• CHINA PIONEER
• COPENHAGEN
• DOLPHIN
• GT STAR
• KOTA LOCENG
• KYNOURIA
• MAERSK LAVRAS
• MERSEY SPIRIT
• MINA OLDENDORFF
• MSC ANTALYA
• OVAL NOVA
• PALMAROLA
• PEGASUS
• RUSSELL ADAMS
• SAM FALCON
• SEACOR LEOPARD
• SEAWELL
• SHANTUNG
• SHENGKING
• SONANGOL CABINDA
• SPRING SUNRISE
• STENA ARCTICA
• SUN VIL II
• YENISEI RIVER

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

Did you miss us last week? We were on the road in the Barents Sea touring the Prirazlomnoye oil platform . But, here is the list of the vessels that enrolled in Amver in the past two weeks. Our trip to the Arctic reinforced our position that the Arctic is a lonely and potentially dangerous place with limited search and rescue resources. Those lack of resources is the very reason we need more ships to enroll in Amver and actively report while sailing in Arctic waters.

In the meantime help us welcome the latest members of the Amver family.

• AAL BANGKOK
• ALTAIR DREAM
• AM KRAKOW
• BAOSTEEL EXPEDITION
• BARROW ISLAND
• BERENIKE
• BLUE CHO OYU
• BLUE ORCA
• BULL RAY
• C-ENDURANCE
• CAPE ASTER
• CAPTAIN X KYRIAKOU
• CARIBBEAN SPIRIT
• CLIPPER TRITON
• CORINTHIAN
• DAL STELLENBOSCH
• DONATA SCHULTE
• DORIC CHAMPION
• ELISABETH
• EMMETT FOSS
• FAKIR
• FATIME
• GARNET EXPRESS
• GRIZZLY
• HANJIN PIRAEUS
• HANSA ASIA
• HELANE
• ILLAWARRA FORTUNE
• LEO
• LEOPARD SEA
• MANDARIN OCEAN
• MAR
• MOL EXPRESS
• MSC ASYA
• NEGONEGO
• NIARA
• ORCHID
• PANOREA
• SAMBA SPIRIT
• SANTA CRUZ
• STENA ALEGRA
• STENA SUNRISE
• VALUE
• WADI ALYARMOUK

Welcome Wednesday!

It's the who's who of Amver. Our latest installment of vessels that have enrolled in the Amver safety network. Not sure if your ships are enrolled? Just send us an email and we can check for you. In the meantime help us welcome the latest members.

• C.S. OCEAN
• DL LILAC
• FEDERAL KIBUNE
• FERNANDO DE MAGALHAES
• GEORGE MAERSK
• HONG KONG SPIRIT
• KAPETAN TRADER II
• LE SOLEAL
• LINCOLN PARK
• MARKA
• NORD STEADY
• ORIENTAL ANGEL
• PARAMAR
• SEA PROTEUS
• SEACOR STRONG
• SEASMILE
• SHEMYA
• SIBUR VORONEZH
• SORLANDET
• STAR LIVORNO
• YIN SHUN

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

Who joined Amver in the past week? An additional 73 ships enrolled in the past two weeks. We're thankful for the companies that recognize the importance of coordinated rescue activities and safety at sea. Here's the list of the latest members of the Amver family.

• ADFINES NORTH
• AMBER CHAMPION
• APACHE II
• AQUAPRIDE
• ART CARLSON
• BEKS YILMAZ
• BOW HERON
• BRIELLE
• BRIGHT GEMINI
• BRIGHTWAY
• BUKIT RAYA
• CALYPSO FORTUNE
• CAMPBELL BAY
• CENTURY WAVE
• CIC CAPTAIN VENIAMIS
• CLIPPER I-STAR
• CMB PAUILLAC
• CPO CHINA
• CS JADEN
• DEAN REINAUER
• DORO LONDA
• EGEGIK SPIRIT
• ELENA VE
• ENERGY GLORY
• FAIR OCEAN
• FLAG GANGOS
• GALAXY DREAM
• GASLOG SKAGEN
• GLOBAL ARC
• GLOBAL LAGUNA
• GLOVIS MAINE
• GOLDEN PEARL
• GREEN ATLANTIC
• HANJIN PARADIP
• HARVEY WAR HORSE II
• HILDA KNUTSEN
• HSV 2 SWIFT
• IKAN LANDUK
• IVAN PETROV
• KIRSTEN MARIE
• KOTA GANDING
• KOTA LIHAT
• LEGATO II
• LOWLANDS BOREAS
• LOWLANDS BREEZE
• MATSYA VRUSHTI
• MILLIE CRUZ
• MOL MAXIM
• NAVIOS ANTARES
• OCEAN LARK
• PACIFIC BRIGHT
• PATRICIA V
• PISURAYAK KOOTOOK
• POLARIS J
• SAGAR KANTA
• SAGAR MANJUSHA
• SAGAR PASCHIMI
• SAGAR PURVI
• SAMUDRA SHAUDHIKAMA
• SCI NALANDA
• SEAMAN GUARD ARIZONA
• SEAMAN GUARD OHIO
• SEAMAN GUARD VIRGINIA
• SILVER SURFER
• STI EMERALD
• SUDETY
• TIDAR
• UACC MASAFI
• UNITED TAKAWANGHA
• VALE CAOFEIDIAN
• VALIANT
• WOODSIDE ROGERS
• ZEFYROS

Photo credit: Fotolia

Amver cruise ship assists in rescue of 102 in Alaska

The Amver participating cruise ship Statendam assisted in the rescue of 102 sightseers from a disabled tour boat near John Hopkins Glacier, Alaska on Friday, August 2, 2013.

The sightseeing boat Baranof Wind suffered mechanical problems and alerted rescue authorities of their situation. The Statendam, an Amver participant since 1993, diverted to the location and used its tenders to embark all of the tourists. The Statendam brought the tourists to Bartlett Cove and resumed its scheduled voyage.

The cruise ship Statendam, managed by Holland America Line, has earned 17 Amver awards for participation.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com

Welcome Wednesday!

Getting old never felt so good! On the heels of our 55th birthday we're happy to announce the latest ships to enroll in the Amver system. It's everyone of you that keep us going. Thank you! Now, the newest members of the Amver system.

• ART CARLSON
• BEKS YILMAZ
• GOLDEN PEARL
• GREEN ATLANTIC
• UNITED TAKAWANGHA
• FLAG GANGOS
• OCEAN LARK
• PISURAYAK KOOTOK
• SAGAR KANTA
• CALYPSO FORTUNE
• CS JADEN
• BRIGHT GEMINI
• KIRSTEN MARIE
• POLARIS J
• UACC MASAFI
• GLOBAL ARC
• HSV 2 SWIFT

Photo credit: Fotolia

Coast Guard Operations Systems Center celebrates Amver's anniversary

Ever wonder where your Amver messages actually go? They go to the staff at the U.S. Coast Guard Operations Systems Center (OSC) in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

The OSC billboard proudly displays Amver's accomplishment of saving a life every 18 hours! But those lives wouldn't be saved if not for the contribution of the men and women at the OSC.

Just what do they do? Besides maintaining the entire  Amver computer infrastructure they-

• Process over 17,000 Amver messages a day
• Provide 8 Amver Surface Pictures a day
• Ensure the 4 ships that enroll in Amver each day are properly entered in the system

Thank you OSC Amver team!

Photo credit: USCG photo

Happy 55th Anniversary!

USCG Chief Petty Officer monitors a station at the AMVER center circa 1958

Today is our birthday. Amver is 55 years old and we're happy to have been in the life saving business since 1958.

Amver has saved countless lives, enrolled thousands of ships, and provided a voluntary blanket of protection over the world's oceans.

We couldn't have done it without the dedication of the seafarers and rescue professionals around the world.

Thank you!

Welcome Wednesday!

What's your motivation? Why did you join Amver? Most companies recognize and honor the traditions of the sea. They know it could be them next. They understand the value of a human life. If you haven't joined Amver, if you think reporting would be an extra burden on your already taxed crew we urge you to reconsider. Now, help us welcome the latest members of the Amver family.

• AFRICAN TERN
• ALMI NAVIGATOR
• AM BUCHANAN
• BAIE COMEAU
• BLUE BALLARD
• BONNY ISLAND
• COLUMBIA
• CONCON
• CORINNA
• DENSA PUMA
• ESSEN EXPRESS
• FLAG SEAMAN
• FORTUNE IRIS
• HYDRA VOYAGER
• IVER BEAUTY
• JAMAICA BAY
• JIN YU
• LAMBAY
• LEOPARD STAR
• MELODIA
• MOL QUALITY
• MSC ARICA
• OCEAN WIND
• PACIFIC KINDNESS
• PAIWAN WISDOM
• SIMONE
• STENAWECO GLADYS W

Photo credit: Fotolia

Hurricane Preparedness: USCG Port Conditions

Hurricane season makes it a great time to review the United States Coast Guard port conditions that are issued when tropical weather  affects a particular port. Amver participants, and other mariners, should pay close attention to Marine Safety Information Broadcasts (MSIB) for updates.

Pre-Storm Preparations

• Hurricane season begins June 1st.  All vessel owners and operators should review hurricane plans and checklists.  Recommend reviewing the Industry Hurricane Plan (link to Word document).

Port Condition Whiskey- 72 hours prior to Gale Force Winds

• The Captain of the Port will issue radio broadcasts and Marine Safety Information Broadcasts (MSIB) as needed to keep mariners informed.

Port Condition X-Ray- 48 hours prior to Gale Force Winds

• The Captain of the Port will update radio broadcasts and issue MSIBs.
• Bunkering and Lightering are prohibited in the inshore anchorages.
• Ships should complete cargo operations.
• Anticipate the Captain of the Port will order the port closed to all vessel movements except for emergency and rescue traffic.

Port Conditions Yankee- 24 hours prior to Gale Force Winds

• The Captain of the Port will update radio broadcasts and issue MSIBs.
• Facilities will be made aware that the Captain of the Port will order cessation of cargo handling operations during condition zulu.
• Ship's personnel should inspect mooring/anchoring lines, paying particular attention to the possibility of storm surge.
• Movements will be permitted by the Captain of the Port only when a suitable lay berth or anchorage space is available nearby.
• As a last resort, large crude tankers may be allowed to ballast down in the channel.
• The Captain of the Port may close the port to all marine traffic except for emergency/rescue traffic when sustained winds exceed 35 knots.

Port Condition Zulu- 12 hours prior to Gale Force Winds

• The Captain of the Port MAY update radio broadcasts and MSIBs to notify the maritime community that the port is closed to all commercial traffic with the exception of emergency/rescue traffic.
• All cargo handling operations will be suspended.
• Ship's personnel should inspect the mooring/anchor lines, paying particular attention to the possibility of storm surge.

Post Storm

• Restoration of commercial operations.
• Channels surveyed to insure safe transit.
• Vessel traffic prioritized.

Photo credit: USCG photo

Welcome Wednesday!

30 additional vessels have enrolled in Amver in the past week. We hope you have made the choice to join Amver and join the legions of ships that assist in search and rescue at sea. The sea remains a dangerous place and your participation ensures no call for help goes unanswered.

• AMSTEL FALCON
• APL BOSTON
• ATLANTIC ZEUS
• BLUE EMERALD 
• BRASIL VOYAGER
• CLIPPER QUITO
• DCI DREDGE XX
• DEVON BAY
• DORADO
• EMERALD HORIZON
• FORTE DE SAO JOSE 
• FRONTIER LEADER
• GALAXY
• GO EXPLORER
• GROWTH RING
• HAPPY PENGUIN
• INTREPID EAGLE
• KAPITAN KRAVCHENKO
• KM FUKUYAMA
• LOCH LONG
• MOL GLOBE
• NINA
• ORIENT BECRUX
• ORIENT DISPATCH
• SARGAN
• SHAOSHING
• SKM AMBITION
• TSUKUBA MARU
• WESTERN FEDORA
• ZETAGAS

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

You could be called to help. You may have a tight port call. You may have a crew swapping out. If you have your ship enrolled in Amver the likelihood you'll be asked to divert on a call is based on your location and suitability to provide the best chance of rescuing the person in distress. In other words, you won't be sent out on a goose chase. What ships have committed to a coordinated response to distress at sea? Take a look.

• ALPHA PROGRESS
• ANSAC PRIDE
• CAP SAN NICHOLAS
• CAPE HENRY
• FLORENCE K
• GEORGY MASLOV
• GLORIOUS HOPE
• GLORIOUS KAURI
• HAI YANG SHI YOU 278
• LAMBADA SPIRIT
• LOTUS
• MAGDALENA OLDENDORFF
• MAGNOLIA
• MINERVA JOY
• OCEAN WORKER
• SHOEI PROSPERITY
• STINA KOSAN
• WILDERNESS ADVENTURE
• WISDOM ACE

Photo credit: Fotolia

Cruise ship joins Amver and assists in rescue within a month

One month after enrolling in the Amver program, the cruise ship Norwegian Breakaway was called upon to assist a 27 foot sailboat adrift near New York City.

On Sunday, June 16, 2013 U.S. Coast Guard rescue authorities in New York City received a distress call from a 27 foot pleasure craft in the Jones, Inlet. The boat had four people on board and was dead in the water.The crew was unable to drop an anchor and the crew was requesting Coast Guard assistance.

Rescue personnel at U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York located the Norwegian Breakaway near the last known position of the small craft and asked the sailors to launch a flare. The crew of the Norwegian Breakaway saw the flare and sailed to the position of the disabled vessel. Norwegian Breakaway gave the Coast Guard the exact coordinates of the disabled boat and, once additional rescue resources were on the way, sailed on to its destination.

The Coast Guard sent a helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City using the coordinates provided by the cruise ship and found the disabled boat. A 47 foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook then located the disabled boat and towed it to shore.

The Bahamian flagged cruise ship, managed by Norwegian Cruise Lines, enrolled in Amver on May 9, 2013. This is its first call to action.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com

Amver container ship saves 4 near Bermuda

Four sailors were rescued by an Amver participating container ship after their 46 foot sailboat became demasted and the engine was fouled approximately 129 miles south east of Bermuda on June 14, 2013.

The crew of the sailboat activated their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) alerting Bermuda rescue authorities. Bermuda rescue personnel also contacted U.S. Coast Guard personnel in Portsmouth, Va. who queried the Amver system and located the 885 foot container ship Altamira Express and requested the ship divert to assist the sailboat.  The Bermuda flagged ship was only 12 miles from the distress location.

The Altamira Express contacted U.S. Coast Guard rescue authorities that the crew had rescued all four yachtsmen in good health and disembarked them in Cagliari, Italy on June 24, 2013.

The Altamira Express, managed by Hapag-Lloyd AG of Hamburg, Germany, enrolled in Amver on January 1, 1988 and earned 12 Amver participation awards.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com

Welcome Wednesday!

A wild week in world of shipping. The MOL Comfort broke in two, resulting in a search and rescue case that saved all 26 crew. The ship that rescued the Comfort crew was an Amver participant. You could be part of the largest voluntary life saving organization as well by enrolling in Amver today.

• ACEOIL NO. 1
• AFRICAN KITE
• BERGEN TRADER I
• DRACO OCEAN
• GULF SHIP 278
• HAI XUN 01
• HOS RED DAWN
• JULES BARNIER
• MAERSK KOWLOON
• MOUNT HIKURANGI
• NIKKEI SIRIUS
• OCEAN DELTA
• OCEAN TOPAZ
• PACIFIC TOPAZ
• POLSA SEIS
• RMC RIGEL
• SAFARI ENDEAVOUR
• SANTA ADRIANA
• SFL SPEY
• STI GARNET
• TAYLOR JAMES
• TILL JACOB

Photo credit: Fotolia

Amver ship saves 3 in the Atlantic

Three French sailors were rescued by an Amver participating tanker after they decided to abandon their 33 foot sailboat over 1,000 miles off the Massachusetts coast on Tuesday, June 11, 2013.

U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel in Boston received a call from the French Mission Control Center about three sailors aboard a 33 foot sailboat with a partially disabled rudder. Two of the sailors requested to be taken off the stricken yacht.

The Coast Guard, using an Amver Surface Picture (SURPIC), located the Singapore flagged oil tanker Torm Neches and requested it sail toward the distress location. The tanker was 70 miles from the last known position of the sailboat.

The crew of the Amver ship arrived on the scene but there was a slight communications problem, the crew of the tanker was unable to speak French. Thankfully the language of search and rescue is easy to understand and as the Torm Neches prepared to rescue the survivors, the yachtsmen donned life jackets.

"Please note two survivors have come aboard my vessel in a small dingy, the third one is preparing to come aboard," stated Captain Rakesh Mehra from the bridge of the Torm Neches. The third sailor made it aboard the Amver ship. French rescue personnel notified the survivor's families of their situation.

It is not know where the survivors were taken.

The Torm Neches, managed by Torm Singapore Pte Ltd, enrolled in Amver on October 6, 2000 and has earned 7 Amver participation awards

Photo credit: marrinetraffic.com

Welcome Wednesday!

Each week we have the honor of sharing the latest members of the Amver family. These are the latest to enroll in Amver, making it easier for rescue authorities to manage emergency incidents at sea. Will you help and join their ranks?

• ACE SHANGHIA
• AQUARIUS-G
• BAHRI TABUK
• BERGE ODEL
• BLUE CRYSTAL
• BORDEIRA
• BOW PIONEER
• CASTA DIVA
• CLIPPER HELVETIA
• DELMA
• DURBAN BAY
• FLAG TOM
• FORTE DE SAO FELIPE
• JACK BATES
• KAPETAN TRADER I
• KOUYOU
• LIBERTY DESIRE
• LOCH ROAG
• MAERSK GABARUS
• ORE SALVADOR
• ROYAL PRINCESS
• RUI NING 5
• SIGGI
• STENAWECO JULIA L
• SUNLIGHT LILY
• TOPAZ

Photo credit: Fotolia

Amver reefer performs medical rescue in the Atlantic

The Amver participating reefer Dole Africa rescued a 41 year old woman suffering abdominal pains from a 31 foot sailboat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel in Boston received a call from French rescue authorities in Griz Nez about the ill sailor aboard the sailboat Oanaz. The Coast Guard immediately queried the Amver system and diverted the Bahamian flagged ship to assist.

The sailboat was more than 1,000 miles off the coast of Nantucket, Mass. Despite the remote location, the Amver system was able to locate the Dole Africa and divert the ship to assist. "We'll have the victim on our ship in 30 minutes," Dole Africa Captain Lukomski reported to rescue authorities when he was asked to assist.

Within 40 minutes of being alerted to the emergency, the 492 foot ship was lowering a rescue boat to embark the ill sailor. A half an hour later the sailor was safely aboard the Dole Africa and the crew was assessing her medical condition.

"The patient was complaining of abdominal pains and had decreased vital signs," reported Captain Lukomski to Coast Guard medical personnel in Portsmouth, Va. Based on the medical complaints of the patient, a Coast Guard flight surgeon suggested the crew monitor the patient for a possible ruptured appendix. The Dole Africa continued on its voyage to Puerto, Rico.

The patient's condition improved and she was walking around the ship until she was transferred to medical personnel when the Dole Africa arrived in Puerto, Rico.

The Dole Africa, managed by Reefership Marine Services of San Jose, Costa Rica, enrolled in the Amver system on January 1, 1995 and has earned 10 Amver participation awards.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com

Welcome Wednesday!

Who enrolled in Amver this week? 26 more ships, one of which may be yours! If so, thank you for joining. If you haven't joined, would you consider enrolling? While you sign up, let's take a moment to recognize the newest members of the Amver safety network.

• AAL FREMANTLE
• AAL SHNAGHAI
• APL RAFFLES
• ATLANTIC TERN
• BRASIL 2014
• CANO
• FLAG THENIA
• INDIGO HOPE
• INDUS VICTORY
• IOLCOS COMMANDER
• JUSTICE EXPRESS
• KATHERINE
• KOTA BANGGA
• LIBERTY DAWN
• MARJORIE K
• ORIENTE GLORIA
• PETALIDI
• PRT HOPE
• RTM TASMAN
• STAR LOFOTEN
• SUNNY VISTA
• TRANSTIME
• TW HAMBURG
• VIKTOR BAKAEV
• YASA ORION
• ZIM MOSKVA

Photo credit: Fotolia