Amver received a Tweet from one of our followers about a new game Wired Magazine is promoting. It's called Cutthroat Capitalism and, according to the site, "You are a pirate commander staked with $50,000 from local tribal leaders and other investors. Your job is to guide your pirate crew through raids in and around the Gulf of Aden, attack and capture a ship, and successfully negotiate a ransom."
What do you think of the game? Do you think this is responsible or irresponsible?
Here is a great video about the United States Coast Guard 14th District search and rescue controllers. There is also some great Amver information in the video. Controllers are often the unsung heroes of the Coast Guard. We see rescue swimmers, aircraft, and cutters saving lives every day. It's the search and rescue controller, however, that coordinates things. Enjoy this video of our United States Coast Guard unsung heroes.
Another 37 vessels have joined Amver. Is your vessel listed below? Did you know once your vessel is enrolled you can begin reporting to Amver immediately? If you are wondering what the chances are you may be called on read this story (link to pdf). The Geden Lines tanker, the Action, had only been enrolled in Amver 5 days before they were called to rescue a British yachtsman in distress. It just goes to show how one vessel enrolling in Amver saved a life. Your ship could save the next life.
On with the latest members of Amver:
OCEAN PRIDE
BRO GARLAND
TANGGUH BATUR
MARIDA MARGUERITE
MARIDA MULBERRY
YAKUMOSAN
CATTLEYA
OCEAN BREEZE
TORM LOTTE
CLEAR
SUNSHINE
MINERVA GLORY
CMA CGM TOPAZ
ANTUINE
WORLD HARMONY
STAR TRUST
TEQUILA SUNRISE
OCEAN CREATION
CMA CGM CENDRILLON
CHANTAL
HYUNDAI PIONEER
CAPE BRITANNIA
STAR KIRKENES
KLIHYAM
KATHLEEN K
CROWN PRINCESS
PACIFIC JEWEL
AYRTON
MAERSK SEARCHER
SERENEA
ATHENIAN PHOENIX
MAERSK PROMISE
NS ARTARCTIC
NS ASIA
ORIENTAL TOPAZ
CLIPPER LIS
KELLY OVAYUAK
Are you a crew member of one of these vessels? If so tell us about yourself. We would like to hear from you.
Amver, the voluntary global search and rescue system sponsored by the United States Coast Guard, and Pole Star, a supplier of marine asset tracking systems, have been short listed for the prestigious Lloyd's List Innovation award for their life saving information sharing agreement. The award will be presented a the Lloyd's List Global Awards at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel on September 8, 2009.
How does it work?
Shipping companies that subscribe to Pole Star's Fleet Management service can elect to have their vessel position reports forwarded to the Amver system automatically and at no cost.
Success!
The benefits to the arrangement are obvious. Since initiating the program the number of Amver messages received from Pole star has increased from approximately 175 vessel reports a year to over 700 a day. This incredible influx of position reports has driven the average number of Amver vessels available for search and rescue to over 3,600 a day.
"This innovative agreement leverages technology to automate information sharing and increase the number of vessels available, with the cumulative effect of a more robust volunteer safety network that saves lives by providing timely assistance to mariners in distress. I congratulate Pole Star and Amver on their collaborative efforts," said United States Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Thad Allen.
"We are very pleased with the Commandant's recognition of our efforts," said Pole Star CEO David Plumer, "We have worked with Amver for a number of years and are very proud of our association with an organization dedicated to saving lives at sea. We are delighted that Pole Star technology is able to make a significant contribution to marine safety."
You can enroll your vessel in the Amver system here. You can learn more about Pole Star's Fleet Management service here.
Are you a Pole Star Fleet Management subscriber? Tell us what you think.
While Amver has been busy trying out various new media programs to share our stories we never asked how you are able to access the internet when at sea.
Do you have internet access?
Can you use a feed reader such as Google reader?
Are you able to watch YouTube or other online video services?
What does the arrival of Australian Navy ships have to do with Amver? The visit serves as an opportunity to recognize the Australian government for our strong partnership. Amver and Australia have an information sharing agreement where Australia's regional version of Amver, known as the Australian Ship Reporting System, AUSREP for short, allows participants to have their vessel position reports sent to Amver at no charge. Amver allows ships to have their position reports be sent to AUSREP.
Does it work?
Amver and AUSREP began sharing information in May, 2000. By 2008 over 94,000 vessel positions were shared. Today, approximately 360 messages are shared every day. This is one of the reasons the Amver plot has been at record highs.
Australia does more than share vessel traffic. Australian ships also participate in the Amver system. In 2008, 20 ships representing 9 companies earned Amver awards. There were a combined total of 142 years of participation by the award recipients.
Recent Example
Australian rescue authorities recently requested Amver data to assist in the search for a vessel in distress in the Tasman Sea. The case resulted in two lives saved.
Mr. Benjamin Strong, Amver Director, was pleased to present a framed Amver pennant to Mr. Phillip Scanlan, Australian Consul General, on July 21, 2009 to recognize Australia's support of the Amver system.
We are proud of the relationship we share with Australia. We wish the Syndey and Ballarat fair winds and following seas as they complete their mission. Are you an Australian merchant mariner participating in Amver? Tell us what you think.
47 vessels joined the Amver ranks this week. Has your vessel enrolled? We hope so. If not you can enroll your ship here. What are the benefits to participation? Besides the fact your ships will be participating in the largest and oldest worldwide search and rescue program your ships are also part of a larger effort. Amver participation means you are part of the organized rescue effort. If search and rescue authorities determine your ships is not the best suited to respond you are released from your obligation. That saves you money.
Help us welcome the new participants.
D.S.V. DOLPHIN 11
ALTO ACRUX
ACX DIAMOND
PRISCILLA VENTURE
APL ILLINOIS
OCANUS
GRETE MAERSK
RAPALLO
TORM LOUISE
MELL SELETAR
HORIZON THEONI
BERMUDA ISLANDER
OCEANEX SANDERLING
CMA CGM ALACAZAR
SICHEM NEW YORK
WEST FORTUNE
SONGA EMERALD
KING DOUGLAS
DAGMAR AAEN
HUNTER
MAIPO RIVER
M.Y. ADRIATIC
ONEGO SENTINA
SEN-OKU
SPRING SAMCHEONPO
SEACOR MERCHANT
SATIGNY
AMITY
PAX
REPUBBLICA DI AMALFI
MARIANNA KOSAN
TOYOKUNI
HORIZON THEANO
BRITTANY
GHAZAL
AMYNTOR
BULK BRASIL
CHALLENGE PARAGON
BANGKOK HIGHWAY
SCIROCCO
PARANAGUA EXPRESS
CHEMSTAR KING
NOVOROSSIYSK STAR
CONTANTINOS
MINERAL DALIAN
MCP PAPHOS
RIO BLANCO
Welcome aboard shipsmates! Tell us your Amver stories.
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