August 2010 - Four New Zealand Companies Recognized for their Participation in AMVER

U.S. Consul General Randy Berry presents a Coast Guard AMVER penant to Chief Executive of NIWA John Morgan.

U.S. Consul General Randy Berry presents a Coast Guard AMVER award to Chief Executive of Pacific Forum Line, Capt Sean Bolt.

Four New Zealand ships were chosen for 2009 Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) awards for active participation:  the Kakariki, the Tore the Forum Samoa II, the Tangaroa.  The awards program recognizes those vessels, which regularly participate in the AMVER system.   AMVER is an international program, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, to assist the safety of vessels on the high seas.  Merchant vessels of all nations are encouraged to send their sail plans, including departure message, periodic position reports, and arrival message, to the Coast Guard's AMVER Center.  The information is processed in a computer database that maintains a plot of the positions of these ships throughout their voyages.  Rescue authorities around the world can then obtain, through U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centers, a list of participating ships in the vicinity of an emergency so that assistance can be sought from vessels nearby.  For 51 years, AMVER has been effective in arranging emergency assistance to those who need it on the high seas.  

In 2009, AMVER merchant ship responses resulted in 237 lives saved and 18 lives assisted (for medical attention, evacuation,
communications, food/fuel/supplies, etc).  AMVER ships conducted 308 searches at sea to verify electronic distress alerts, thus preserving
limited rescue assets for genuine emergencies.  Additional information on the AMVER program, including country award statistics,
is available on AMVER blog at http://www.AMVERuscg.blogspot.com/ [view photos]