The Quarterdeck; Shipping 2011, Pirates, and Social Media

Welcome to the second edition of the Quarterdeck, the monthly Amver podcast featuring Benjamin Strong and Admiral Jim Watson.

In this episode learn about what went on at the CMA Shipping 2011 exhibition in Stamford, Conn., learn about the U.S. Coast Guard's response to piracy and how social media is being used in the maritime community. 

Here is a direct link to the Quarterdeck audio file. 

The Quarterdeck transcript is available here.

Links

• Admiral Jim Watson's biography.
•  Coast Guard Maritime Security (MARSEC) Directives and Port Security Advisories
• Contact Group for Piracy
• Maritime Administration (MARAD) Horn of Africa Piracy and Best Practices links
• Testimony of U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Kevin Cook on Assuring the Freedom of Americans on the High Seas: the United States Response to Piracy
• The Maritime Executive Group on LinkedIn (you must be a member of LinkedIn to join)

The Quarterdeck theme song is Botany Bay by the Blaggards, available on musicalley.com.

Would you like to hear something specific on the Quarterdeck? Leave your question in the comments and we'll do our best to answer it in an upcoming episode.

Welcome Wednesday!

Who's still thinks it can't happen to them? Is it you? Perhaps you, over there, with your head down. The bottom line is that the next maritime emergency could happen right.... now. Want to be part of an organization that is available to help rescue people in such emergencies? Enroll your ships in Amver and boom- you're part of the solution. Help us welcome 20 more ships that have agreed to help if necessary.

•          CERBA                   
•          ROSCO PALM              
•          WADI FERAN              
•          MCP ADAMAS              
•          CELIA                   
•          MORNING GLORY           
•          AU CO 01                
•          MAERSK ELBA             
•          MARITIME TAESHIO        
•          BANI YAS                
•          JIANG JIE               
•          DIAMOND STAR            
•          CLIPPER GLORY           
•          FODAS PESCADORES        
•          ADRIATICBORG            
•          BC SAN FRANCISCO        
•          MSC ESTHI               
•          HANJIN GERMANY          
•          MEGACORE PHILOMENA      
•          DHT PHOENIX            

Photo credit: Fotolia

The mystery of shipping

So much of shipping can be a mystery. How about IMO numbers. What are they? What about Protection and Indemnity Clubs. What are they? How does AIS work? What is a NAVTEX? What is the Box Club? The Box Club is the International Council of Containership Operators and even its address is a mystery!

What's not a mystery?

Amver isn't a mystery. Some people might think its a bit dated, and it does have its roots in the vacuum tube computer world of the 1950s, but today Amver is a modernized search and rescue system capable of receiving thousands of ship messages a day and saving hundreds of lives a year.

How does it work?

1. A shipping company enrolls their ships (this can be done on the vessel or entire fleets can be enrolled by folks in the operations department).
2. The ship sends periodic position reports to the Amver system (using a variety of methods including the Amver/SEAS program partnership with NOAA or Pole Star).
3. A distress is received by a rescue coordination center (either from DSC alerts, VHF, EPIRB, or other methods).
4. Rescue authorities begin going down a checklist of response procedures which may involve launching boats and aircraft.
5. Rescue authorities may also request Amver data to see if any commercial ships are in the area. If a ship is identified, it is requested to divert.
6. An Amver ship diverts, saves a lives, continues on its journey.

If you're part of this process we're thankful. If you're not part of our system we would be honored to have you join. There's no cost, no greater responsibility to respond than you already have. Now that you know Amver isn't a mystery, will you join?


Photo credit: Fotolia

Are you our customer?

Despite the fact Amver doesn't sell a product we still wonder who we serve. Do we serve the shipping community? Do we serve people who need to be rescued? Do we serve the search and rescue community? The answer to all of those questions is Yes!

Shipping-

If you're in shipping we certainly want to have a relationship with you. We can do that whether you enroll your ships or not. Why would you enroll? Because you could save a life, or yours could be saved. That seems reasonable doesn't it?

Mariners, or those needing rescue-

If you sail you may need to be rescued. Here's one sailor's tale of survival at sea.

Search and rescue professionals-

If you're a search and rescue professional you could probably use Amver information to help save lives in your region. Don't know how to ask for Amver data? Just look here to learn how.


Photo credit: Fotolia

U.S. Coast Guard nominee for IMO Secretary General

Mr. Jeffrey Lantz, if you don't know the name you should. Mr. Lantz is the United States Coast Guard nominee for the position of IMO Secretary General. Who is Mr. Lantz? Take a look.

Who's Jeff?

Jeffrey Lantz is the current Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards for the U.S. Coast Guard. A 1974 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, Lantz's specialty is in naval architecture, marine and mechanical engineering. He also serves as the head of the U.S. Delegation to the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (among other committees and subcommittees) and is Chair for the IMO's Council, the organizations second highest governing body.

Who is he really?

Amver knows Mr. Lantz as someone that recognizes the importance of our partnerships and the work we do to save lives. Mr. Lantz has helped champion Amver related issues in the IMO and always takes time to see what we need or how we can improve our international search and rescue program. No doubt he'll carry that level of enthusiasm and dedication to the IMO. If you've met him you know.

Our own Commandant, Admiral Bob Papp, had this to say about Mr. Lantz. “Jeff is one of the Coast Guard's best senior leaders who has superbly managed commercial maritime regulation with the care and precision it requires," said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp. "He is a skilled engineer, effective manager and strong negotiator who has demonstrated a keen ability to lead and overcome budgetary and technical challenges over his 36-year career.  These strong regulatory and supervisory abilities have enabled him to greatly improve the quality of U.S. commercial shipping.  I am absolutely certain he will deliver the same quality and competency if elected as Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization."

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also thinks Mr. Lantz is the right person for the job and said as much in her nomination letter.

We wish Mr. Lantz all the best in this endeavor.

Updated  March 29, 2011

If you want to learn more about Mr. Lantz's nomination please visit the US Nomination page.

Photo credit: USCG photo by PA1 Thomas McKenzie

Related articles

• USCG civilian employee Jeffrey Lantz named U.S. candidate for IMO Secretary General (gcaptain.com)

Welcome Wednesday!

As we celebrate shipping at the Connecticut Maritime Association Shipping 2011 conference we also want to take a moment and celebrate the latest additions to the Amver safety network. The following ships have enrolled in Amver this past week. Thank you for joining and helping ensure no call for help go unanswered.

•          SIFA                   
•          BLUE LOTHAS            
•          ERIKA SCHULTE          
•          MAGNIFICA              
•          VAN STAR               
•          DESH GARIMA            
•          CARO                   
•          ZHONG CHI              
•          ALBATROSS              
•          SALVISCOUNT            
•          MSC FABIOLA            
•          RESKO                  
•          WIDAR                  
•          OSW2                   
•          CS AZALEA              
•          BROVIG BARAT           
•          SLS SHIPBUILDING 488   
•          ASIAN PROGRESS IV      
•          UMM AD DALKH           
•          MARITIME COACTION      
•          NOMADIC BERGEN         
•          RYSY                   
•          SANTA ISABEL           
•          MEGA HOPE              
•          MARATHA PRIDE          
•          WADOWICE II            
•          ATACAMA QUEEN          
•          LINDA HOPE             
•          WESTSEA GAIL           
•          BENGANG                
•          PRINCIMAR JOY          
•          KING FELIPE            
•          CAMBRIA COLOSSUS       
•          ORIENT TRIBUNE         
•          NCC NOOR               
•          STENIA COLOSSUS

There's still time to head to Stamford, Conn. for Shipping 2011. Will we see you there? 

Photo credit: Fotolia     

Women at sea

If you're in the New York area Wednesday March 30, 2011 you might be interested in the Working Harbor Committee's Women At Sea program. The program will include a screening of the film Shipping Out, The Story of America's Seafaring Women and a panel discussion from several notable maritime women including U.S. Coast Guard Captain Linda Fagan, Commander of Sector New York (and friend of Amver).

Are there women contributing to Amver? You bet there are! In fact, here is a photo taken at the 2010 Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus Amver awards ceremony in Athens, Greece. Pictures is  U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Cari Thomas, (third from left) with Chief Officer Christina Tzouganatou from the Tsakos owned ship Andes.



Amver salutes all women in shipping. Want to read more about women in shipping? Take a look at the Coast Guard Compass for a recap of the Women's Leadership Symposium. Happy Women's History Month!


Photo credit: Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus