U.S. Coast Guard Admiral James Watson named Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Jim Watson, the current Director of Prevention Policy and co-host of the Amver podcast, The Quarterdeck, was recently named the new Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement in the U.S. Department of the Interior. 

According to a press release from the Department of the Interior- 

"Admiral Watson has the experience, leadership, and vision that BSEE needs to be successful in establishing and enforcing safety and environmental protections for offshore oil and gas operations," said Secretary Salazar. "Admiral Watson will bring to the job a distinguished record, a commitment to tough and fair-minded enforcement, and the determination to advance our reform agenda for the benefit of the American people and industry."

"The safe and responsible production of oil and gas from our nation's oceans is vital to our energy security," said Admiral Watson. "I look forward to leading the dedicated BSEE professionals to ensure each and every offshore operation is safe, secure, and environmentally sound."

Congratulations Shipmate!

Read the entire press release here.

Photo credit: USCG photo

Amver tanker saves one in Atlantic rescue

An Amver ship saved one sailor after his companion was washed overboard in a dramatic rescue 280 miles northwest of Bermuda on November 11, 2011.

The two were aboard their 38 foot sailboat, Triple Stars, taking part in the NARC Rally sailing from Newport, R.I. to Bermuda when one person was washed overboard. "We were hit by a 30 foot wave," stated the survivor. "My wife went through the bimini top and I saw her floundering in the water, there were 25 foot seas and I threw her a life ring which she grabbed onto, but when I brought the boat around, I saw her go under and not resurface." 

U.S. Coast Guard personnel from the Fifth District Command Center diverted the Amver participating tanker High Jupiter. "We are proceeding to rescue other person who is on the sailing vessel," said the captain of the 600 foot tanker. "Man overboard reported missing for a long time however after rescuing person on sailing vessel, will initiate search and rescue for the MOB [man overboard]." Several Coast Guard rescue aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City was also used in the search.

The Hong Kong flagged tanker enrolled in the Amver system in March, 2009. The survivor is being cared for by the crew of the High Jupiter and will be met by U.S. State Department personnel when the ship arrives in France on or about November 22, 2011.

The other sailor was not found.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com

Amver ship rescues three sailors from the Atlantic

Three sailors were rescued by an Amver participating container ship after their 38 foot sailboat, Shunpiker, lost power 246 miles east of Savannah, Ga. on November 4, 2011.

U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel received two Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) alerts for the sailboat which had departed Washington, N.C. on a voyage to Marsh Harbor, Bermuda. Rescue personnel sent a rescue aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City and requested the Amver participating container ship, E.R. Albany, divert to the last known location of the Shunpiker.

The aircraft used their direction finding capabilities to quickly locate the sailboat but were unable to see it as winds were greater than 30 knots and waves were 7 to 10 feet. The E.R. Albany was only three hours away and quickly turned to offer assistance.

The E.R. Albany came alongside the Shunpiker and lowered a pilot ladder. All three yachtsmen were able to quickly climb aboard the 659 foot ship and were in good health with no injuries. The sailboat was left adrift.

The Liberian flagged container ship will take the survivors to its next port of call in Aljezier, Spain where they will return to the United States.

The E.R. Albany, managed by ER Schiffahrt GmbH of Hamburg, Germany, enrolled in the Amver system in April, 1996 and has earned 6 awards for participation.

Photo credit: Crew of the M/V E.R. Albany

Welcome Wednesday!

Every week we take a moment and celebrate the latest members of the Amver system. These vessels enroll and become part of an incredible system of commercial ships dedicated to safety at sea. The sea is unforgiving, as demonstrated here, which is why Amver is important. Thank you for joining. Help us welcome the latest members.

• AET INNOVATOR
• AMAZING SALUTE
• AQUALEADER
• BALLYHOO
• CHEM VEGA
• CMA CGM BIANCA
• DESTINATION
• EPIC EXPLORER
• FRONTIER LODESTAR
• HELLESPONT CHIEFTAIN
• INTREPID REPUBLIC
• JAMES T. QUIGG
• JASCON 25
• JIN DA HAI
• JIN MEI
• KARIN LYNN
• KOKUKA COURAGEOUS
• NORD FUJI
• OCTBREEZE ISLAND
• OSG ENDURANCE
• PRINCIMAR GRACE
• Q MYRTALIA
• SAOOK BAY
• STENA PREMIUM
• TATJANA
• TEMPANOS
• UNION ERWIN
• WUGANG ATLANTIC
• YANGTZE ETERNAL

Have you joined yet?


Photo credit: Fotolia

Four sailors rescued by Amver container ship

Four sailors were rescued by an Amver participating container ship after their sailboat lost steering 160 miles northwest of Bermuda on Sunday November 6, 2011.

The Elle, a 46 foot sailing yachts, was participating in the North American Rally to the Caribbean, from Newport to Bermuda, when they encountered gale force winds greater than 40 knots and 30 foot seas.

Rescue authorities in Bermuda received the initial distress call and U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel agreed to assist in the search and rescue case. U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel launched a rescue aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City and diverted the 387 foot Amver participating container ship Oleander.

The Marshall Island flagged ship, on a voyage to Bermuda, was near the distress and Captain Jurszo agreed to diver and assist the sailboat.

"The Elle had lost her steering and we were helplessly adrift in the gale. In 30 to 40 knot winds and 30 foot seas Captain Jurszo expertly maneuvered the Oleander next to the Elle gently touching her side," stated Elle survivor Mr. Brian Finn. "Further complicating matters was the fact our mast was swinging wildly near his outside steering station, almost hitting him in the head," Finn added.

The rescue was not without additional challenges. "Things got even more challenging when I plunged in the ocean," Finn recalled in an email to the Amver office. "The crew reacted perfectly. They threw me a line that I tied onto my safety harness and they hauled me over the side. Thy successfully got us all on board!" he wrote.

The Oleander, managed by Bermuda Container Lines of Hamilton, Bermuda, enrolled in the Amver system in 1990 and earned 12 awards for participation.

Here are photos documenting the rescue operations.




















Photo credits: Chris Melrose, NOAA

Amver in words

What are the words that make up Amver? Take a look and see.

Welcome Wednesday!

More and more the value of Amver is demonstrated. Rescue authorities from MRCC Rabat recently requested Amver data for a possible disabled sailing yacht within their search and rescue region. Thankfully the yachtsmen did not require assistance. The value of Amver increases as more ships enroll, and this week we add an additional 63 ships to the roles. Help us in welcoming them.

• GOLDEND CONENANT
• GRAND MURCURY
• FATIH
• BRAVO
• JURUTI
• MARVELLOUS
• CHANG HANG HU PO
• ALPS WIDENSHINE
• CAPTAIN ANDREADIS
• PACIFIC PEACOCK
• BAHRAIN VISION
• GL QUSHAN
• KT KONDOR
• LITTLE PRINCE
• NORD ANTWERP
• HANHIN RIZHAO
• DEEP SEA 1
• WUGANG INNOVATION
• MOL GLIDE
• TOM SELMER
• SEACOR RELENTLESS
• BLUE TARPON
• MANDARIN SINGAPORE
• DESERT GLORY
• PRINCE HENRY
• AARGAU
• CHEMICAL VOYAGER
• POLAR DUKE
• HARVEY HAULER
• SUNNY AMAZON
• E ELEPHANT
• PETROLIMEX 11
• PETROLIMEX 09
• PETROLIMEX 12
• PETROLIMEX 14
• PETROLIMEX 15
• VALCONCA
• BLUE GADUS
• EQUINOX
• MAERSK WAKAYAMA
• D. FRANCISCO ALMEIDA
• HELENKA B
• MAERSK MAGELLAN
• VEENUS
• KANCHANA NAREE
• GANGES STAR
• NORD VANCOUVER
• BBC RHINE
• ZIM TEXAS
• GARDENIA ACE
• METEOR
• SONANGOL ZAMBIZANGA
• FPMC 28
• VALE ITALIA
• HOW WILDWING
• STEALTH SKYROS
• GOOD NEWS
• MAERSK NOBLE
• LOBITO
• UBC SALAVERRY
• KT BIRDIE
• MATISSE

Don't forget to check out the Amver podcast, The Quarterdeck!

Photo credit: Fotolia