Amver, Saving Lives at Sea Since 1958

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Amver Is At Social Media Camp

If you call the Amver office today you probably won't get an answer. We are at Social Media Camp, part of Internet Week in New York City. Why the focus on social media? Let United States Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen explain it in this video. If you want to follow what we are learning check out our Twitter stream. We will tagging our tweets #smcamp for easy following.

Are you still trying to figure out social media? Read our post on social media for a brief introduction.

How are you using new web technology in your work?

Photo credit: originally uploaded to Flickr by conallob

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Amver Vessels Search For Air France Flight 447

Four Amver ships have been diverted by rescue authorities to search the Atlantic Ocean for any signs of Air France flight 447. United States Coast Guard search and rescue personnel provided Amver data to local authorities as efforts to locate survivors or critical aircraft components intensified.

Combining over 25 years of participation in the Amver system, the commercial ships Stolt Inspiration, Jo Cedar, Lexa Maersk, and UAL Texas were reported by Brazilian media to be searching a vast stretch of Atlantic Ocean for any signs of the missing Airbus A330.

While typically used to assist mariners in distress, Amver vessels may be called upon to search for any emergency at sea. Amver works closely with the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization to help search and rescue personnel find the best resource to assist in maritime search operations.

Is your ship involved in the search for Air France flight 447?

Photo credit: Fotolia

Welcome Wednesday!

35 more vessels have enrolled in the Amver system in the past week. These vessels are available today, ready to assist in a maritime or aviation disaster at sea. The events of the past week, both the tall ship taking on water in New Zealand and the Air France flight lost in the Atlantic, underscore the need for the comprehensive search and rescue system such as Amver.

Please welcome:

MARITIME EMERALD
ATLANTIC JUPITER
INDUSTRIAL DREAM
CAP PASLEY
CLIPPER KIRA
DELTA IOS
ANNNELISE THERSA
STOLT PELICAN
BOW SAGAMI
MORNING CELESTA
STX DAISY
MIN RONG
PHAROS SW
MAERSK WINDHOEK
BRIMANGER
THOR
CORELLA ARROW
STRIGGLA
APL ATLANTA
JIA AN SHAN
ITAL MODERNA
CSAV RENAICO
RONDEAU
HYUNDAI COLOMBO
FENGTUN FEI
SAT NUNKI
SONGA TOPAZ
SONGA OPAL
CMA CGM CENDRILLON
ALP TEXAS
FJELL
ATLANTIC DIANA
ZEBRA WIND
OKINAWA
ERICA

Are your ships enrolled? Sign them up today and become part of something dedicated to ensuring no call for help goes unanswered.

Photo credit: Fotolia

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Amver Information Provided For Air France Search

Image via Wikipedia

The Amver system was called into action this week when an Air France jetliner went missing in the Atlantic Ocean. While commercial ships participating in the program expect to be called upon to search for fellow mariners in distress there are occasions where they are also enlisted to search for missing aircraft. In fact, Amver participants may also be called upon to assist in an emergency ditching of the Space Shuttle or NASA's new space craft, Orion.

United States Coast Guard search and rescue authorities from the Atlantic Area Command Center provided Amver surface picture information to rescue authorities in France. While it is difficult to tell if France diverted any commercial ships, it should be reassuring knowing Amver ships stand ready to assist in any maritime emergency.

Search and rescue authorities can learn how to request Amver data from the United States Coast Guard here.

Are you on an Amver ship? Have you diverted for an aircraft emergency?

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

It's Internet Week In New York City

It's Internet Week in New York City. What's that got to do with Amver? Well, Amver is based in computer technology. It was the computer that helped bring vessel tracking to fruition. In the 1990s Amver launched a website and began accepting vessel position reports via email. Today Amver has a blog, Twitter account, Facebook page, Flickr account, and a YouTube channel.

Amver continues to embrace the internet by offering search and rescue controllers a way to request Amver data and providing information for sailors on ways to survive a rescue. Shipping companies can enroll their vessels on the internet and vessel crews can download the Amver user's manual (link to pdf), in several languages, from the internet.

The United States Coast Guard, led by efforts from Commandant Thad Allen, is expanding its use of the internet to share information with the public. The new Coast Guard blog, The Coast Guard Compass, is live and the Coast Guard magazine has migrated to an online version titled 1790 Online.

How has your company used the internet and social media? Share your stories with us.

Photo credit: uploaded to Flickr by sssteve.o

Monday, June 1, 2009

Amver Rescue Update On Tall Ship Soren Larsen

Amver received word that the tall ship Soren Larsen was able to employ enough pumps to keep ahead of the water coming in and was sailing back to port. The Amver participating car carrier Tarago, diverted earlier by Rescue Coordination Center New Zealand to assist, was accompanying the stricken ship back to port. Thankfully the passengers are reported to be ok.

Thank you New Zealand Search and Rescue Controller Dave Wilson for thinking quickly and requesting an Amver surface picture. If you are a search and rescue controller and want to learn how you can request Amver data read this post. Requesting Amver data in your search and rescue region could mean the difference between life and death.

Has your RCC requested Amver data in the past? Was it helpful?

Amver Vessel Tarago Assisting Sinking Tall Ship

The Norwegian flagged car carrier Tarago, part of the Wilhelmsen Group and an Amver participant since October, 2000 was diverted by Rescue Coordination Center New Zealand to assist a tall ship in distress. According to rescue authorities in New Zealand the tall ship Soren Larsen, with 21 people on board, was taking on water "... faster than the pumps could handle..." when RCC New Zealand requested Amver assistance using the automated surface picture request form. The Tarago was identified through the Amver system and diverted to assist.

We will keep you updated on the status of the rescue operations.