Welcome Wednesday!

Take a peek at the latest vessels to join Amver. Yes, each week we're thrilled to share this good news with you. It's good news because it demonstrates a higher level of commitment to safety from shipping. Amver is voluntary. You don't have to join or participate. For those that take extra effort we say thank you. Now help us welcome the seventeen ships that enrolled this week.

• GEA
• CLERMONT
• CIELO DI ULSAN
• SBI CONGA
• SUN PLOEG
• NAVIG8 ADAMITE
• GREAT VICTORY
• SBI FLAMENCO
• AIDAMAR
• VULCANIA
• NORDORINOCO
• CAP SAN VINCENT
• BW ORION
• MAX VALUE
• CAPTAIN SPIRO
• MARLIN AMETRINE
• HELLAS FIGHTER

Photo credit: Fotolia

VIDEO AVAILABLE: Viking Supply Ship Saves Sailor and Cat near Alaska

An Amver participating supply ship rescued a French sailor and his cat from a disabled approximately 400 miles south of Cold Bay, Alaska October 20, 2015.

The Frenchman, aboard a 30-foot sailboat, departed Dutch Harbor, Alaska on October 13th and was sailing towards Vancouver when he encountered severe weather and lost his rudder and suffered rigging problems. The sailor activated his Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) which alerted U.S. Coast Guard authorities in Alaska.

Rescue personnel from the Coast Guard 17th District launched an Air Station Kodiak C-130 rescue aircraft and directed the Coast Guard Cutter Munro to get underway from Dutch Harbor to assist the sailboat.

Two nearby Amver participants also assisted. The Shell vessel Polar Pioneer contacted the Tor Viking II, another Amver vessel,  and dispatched the Swedish flagged vessel to assist the yachtsman.

The Tor Viking II battled 40 knot winds and 20-foot seas but managed to safely rescue the sailor and his cat. The survivor and his cat are being transported to Oregon, the Tor Viking II's next port call.


The Tor Viking II, managed by Viking Supply Ships of Sweden, enrolled in Amver on May 23, 2007.

Video credit: USCG video

Welcome Wednesday!

Who enrolled in Amver this week? Three bulk carriers, one tanker, a supply ship, a tug and a container ship. We're glad they participate. We're glad you participate as well. If you don't participate we would be happy to discuss your participation. Help us welcome the latest members of the Amver safety network.

• AOM GAIA
• HYUNDAI KOMIPO
• SKY PLOEG
• SKANDI RESPONDER
• EVNIA
• ASIA TIRTA 1602
• MANHATTAN BRIDGE

Photo credit: Fotolia

Greek Bulker Rescues Seven Fishermen Near the Philippines

The Amver participating bulk carrier Kavala Seas rescued seven fishermen from their overturned boat near the Philippines on October 10, 2015.

The Liberian flagged ship was contacted by a Philippine rescue aircraft on  Saturday, October 10th and directed to assist in the search for a boat in distress. The captain of the Kavala Seas agreed to divert and readied his crew for rescue operations.

In less than two hours from the initial notification, the 623-foot ship had arrived on the scene. "We found seven persons standing on top of a capsized small boat with additional fittings of bamboo booms," the captain of the ship reported in an email to the Amver center. The crew reported six adults and one minor. None of the survivors were injured and all safely boarded the Kavala Seas.

"We've started the engines and are proceeding to San Fernando, La Union, Philippines to disembark the survivors," the captain sent in another email. The ship was met by the Philippine Navy and the survivors were transferred.

The Kavala Seas, managed by Allseas Marine of Voula, Greece, enrolled in Amver on November 15, 2012. The ship earned three Amver participation awards.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com

Welcome Wednesday!

Every week we are excited to share with you who enrolled in Amver. Each week we see new vessel names and recognize the commitment their crews have made to safety at sea. This week we are happy to recognize ten more vessels ensuring no call for help goes unanswered.

• CMA CGM ZHENG HE
• KRIS KIN
• MOSUNMOLA
• BW PAVILION LEEARA
• SEA HALIBUT
• SOUTHERN LIGHT
• ALTONA
• PACIFIC TITAN
• OCEAN RIG ATHENA
• ENERGY ATLANTIC

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

Shipping remains a dangerous business. The loss of the El Faro underscores just how quickly things can go from controllable to disaster. That is why we have Amver. That is why companies and crews join Amver. Ensuring no call for help goes unanswered isn't just a slogan, it's a way of life for seafarers. Help us welcome the the latest members of the Amver safety network. 

• KOTA PURI
• BEETHOVEN
• MARGAN GAS TROY
• TENRYU MARU
• DISCOVERER OF HORNET
• CMA CGM TAGE
• LEVANT
•  KAPRIJKE
• SBI PEGASUS
• ANTIGONE
• NAVIG8 AZOTIC
• HELLAS HERCULES
• EVER SHINE
• CMA CGM THAMES
• PAMPERO
• SEOUL TOWER
• ANL EUROA
• STENA IMPORTANT
• NISSOS SCHINOUSSA
• ARETEA
• BRAZEN
• SNOWY
• MAYARO
• STAR EOS

Photo credit: Fotolia

Two Amver Ships Help Rescue 12 Sailors North of Haiti

Two Amver ships assisted the U.S. Coast Guard rescue 12 seafarers who abandoned their sinking 212-foot cargo ship beset by heavy weather from Hurricane Joaquin Thursday evening after their ship began taking on water 51 miles north of Haiti.

A Bolivian-flagged cargo ship activated their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) after it began taking on water. "We've lost engines, are listing 30 degrees to port and had two cargo booms break loose...", the crew reported in an email to rescue authorities.

Coast Guard authorities in Miami launched a rescue helicopter and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Northland along with querying the Amver system and diverting the timber carrier Falcon Arrow and the Ro-Ro Cronus Leader.

The two Amver ships arrived on scene and battled 30-knot winds and waves greater than 15 feet to provide a lee for the 12 crewmen in a life raft while the helicopter began hoisting the survivors and transporting them to shore. All 12 mariners were safely rescued and transported by helicopter to the Bahamas.

The Cronus Leader, managed by NYK Lines, enrolled in Amver on November 30, 2008 and earned six Amver participation awards. The Falcon Arrow, managed by GearBulk, enrolled in Amver on January 1, 1987 and has earned 25 Amver participation awards.