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