From Amver Blog:

Rescue personnel in Falmouth requested Amver information from the U.S. Coast Guard. The tanker Stolt Invitation was identified and requested to divert and assist. The Stolt Invitation arrived on scene and the crew worked to recover the two sailors. The survivors were treated for mild hypothermia and accompanied the ship to New York. Personnel from the Finnish Consulate met the sailors when they arrived in New York and the crew of the Stolt Invitation were presented with a certificate of appreciation from the Amver office.

Here’s a video of the rescue:

Click here to view the embedded video.

An interesting (and rather amazing) statistic about Amver?  Every 33 hours, an Amver participating ship saves a life somewhere in the world. Find out how you can enroll in Amver and help ensure no call for help goes unanswered.

Remember, whale strikes can go both ways.  Check out this amazing photo of a similar incident in 2010, this one thankfully just off the coast of Capetown.

Remember this? In 2010 a giant right whale bellyflopped onto a yacht off Capetown, South Africa. This is not photoshopped.

LINK: AMVER Blog

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 21, 2012) – Smoke rises from the Taiwanese fishing vessel Shin Maan Chun, lower left, while the Marshall Island-flagged bulk carrier Semirio responds to the boat’s call for distress. (Official U.S. Navy photo/Released)

10 Taiwanese fishermen were forced to abandon ship 700 miles west of Guam this weekend when their 70-foot fishing boat Hsin Man Chun caught fire.  Upon activating their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), the U.S. Coast Guard was immediately alerted of the vessel’s distress.

A US Navy P-3 Orion long-range search aircraft from Patrol Squadron 1 stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, was soon dispatched and upon reaching the scene, reported eight crewmembers in a life raft and two more on the bridge of the burning vessel. The P-3 crew deployed two life rafts to assist the crew members that remained behind.

A fire burns uncontrollably aboard the Taiwanese fishing vessel Shin Maan Chun Saturday in the Pacific Ocean. (Official U.S. Navy photo/Released)

At the time of the incident, the AMVER participating cargo ship Semirio, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier owned by Diana Shipping, was only 40 miles away from the distress location when it was alerted by the U.S. Coast Guard of the situation and diverted to assist. Once on scene, the 950-foot bulk carrier launched a small boat and successfully rescued all 10 crew members.

The Semirio is one of over 20,000 vessels enrolled in the AMVER System which is a unique, computer-based, and voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. With AMVER, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The crew of the 38-foot sailboat Liahona contacted the Coast Guard Cutter Kiska Tuesday at approximately 5:30 p.m via satellite phone. Their sailboat became disabled in seas of 6-to-13 feet and winds of 34 mph. The vessel reportedly suffered damage to its top forestay and its engine overheated. The crew attempted to rig a makeshift sail but completely lost its mast in the extreme conditions.

Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu contacted the 893-foot container ship Horizon Reliance to render assistance under the Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER). The Horizon Reliance was 149 miles northeast of their Liahona’s location.

At 1:30 a.m. Wednesday morning the Horizon Reliance reached the disabled vessel. As the Horizon Reliance approached the vessel, weather conditions caused the bow of the Horizon Reliance to strike the sailboat.  The Liahona began taking on water and sank, forcing the three passengers into the sea.

The Horizon Reliance maneuvered and lowered a Jacobs’s ladder to reach the survivors. A 29-year-old man was rescued at 2:30 a.m. by the crew of the Horizon Reliance, but the others, a 32-year-old man and 9-year-old boy, drifted away. Both were rescued at 3:20 a.m.

All three sailors are reportedly in good condition.

“We are thankful the Horizon Reliance was in the right place at the right time to come to the aid of these individuals,” said William A. Hamlin, Horizon Lines Senior Vice President of Operations. “We commend Captain Kelleher and his crew for their skilled seamanship in accomplishing a successful rescue despite very adverse weather conditions.”

“No rescue situation can be completely planned for, the sea is ever changing and unforgiving,” said Cmdr. Mark Morin, District Response Manager. “The crew had life jackets with strobe lights on, which was critical in aiding to the Horizon Reliance to keep an eye on them and make the rescue.”

The Liahona was traveling from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to Oahu, Hawaii.

The Kiska is a 110-foot patrol boat based in Hilo, Hawaii.

AMVER, sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, is a unique, computer-based, and voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. With AMVER, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.

For more information about AMVER visit www.amver.com.

The 16 Crowley-managed vessels that received the awards include the Endurance, Guardian, Sea Prince, Sinuk, Stalwart, Charleston Express, Philadelphia Express, St. Louis Express, Washington Express, Yorktown Express, Blue Ridge, Coast Range, Courage, Pelican State, Resolve and the Sunshine State.

“Crowley is a proud participant and supporter of AMVER,” said Crowley’s Todd Busch. “As a company rooted in the maritime industry, we understand the importance of being there for fellow mariners in the event of an emergency. We were pleased to be able to offer assistance when needed and we appreciate the recognition.”

In total, 535 ships from 77 companies received recognition awards. The dinner followed the North American Marine Environment Protection Association’s (NAMEPA) 2011 National Maritime Day Seminar, which focused on safety at sea.

“National Maritime Day is a wonderful opportunity to recognize our merchant mariners and their tireless efforts to facilitate world trade while preserving safety at sea,” observed NAMEPA Founding Chairman and Dinner Chairman Clay Maitland.  “AMVER is a voluntary program where commercial implications are set aside to preserve safety of life at sea.  This is a maritime ‘good-news’ story which should make its way into the mainstream consciousness of our global society.”

The genesis of the USCG’s AMVER system – a computer-based voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea – ultimately finds its roots in the Titanic disaster in 1912. Ships passing within sight of the ill-fated passenger liner were unaware that it had hit an iceberg and was sinking.  However, the resultant idea of a ship reporting system that could identify other ships in the area of a ship in distress, which could then be sent to its assistance, would not become a reality until the advent of computer technology. On April 15, 1958, the United States Coast Guard and commercial shipping representatives began discussions, which led to the creation of AMVER.

Source: Crowley

Photo: Veera Yarlagadda, Crowley supervisor of port operations, Pennsauken, N.J., receives the award from Admiral Robert Papp, commandant of the USCG courtesy Crowley

The genesis of the AMVER system ultimately finds its roots in the RMS TITANIC disaster in 1912. Ships passing within sight of the ill-fated passenger liner were unaware that it had hit an iceberg and was sinking. However, the resultant idea of a ship-reporting system that could identify other ships in the area of a ship in distress, which could then be sent to its assistance, would not become a reality until the advent of computer technology. As late as the mid-twentieth century, the world’s commercial shipping fleet and burgeoning air transport system lacked an available full-time, global emergency reporting system. On April 15, 1958, the United States Coast Guard and commercial shipping representatives began discussions that led to the creation of AMVER.

“National Maritime Day is a wonderful opportunity to recognize our merchant mariners and their tireless efforts to facilitate world trade while preserving safety at sea”, observed Clay Maitland, NAMEPA founding chairman and dinner chairman. “AMVER is a voluntary program where commercial implications are set aside to preserve safety of life at sea. This is a maritime ‘good news’ story that should make its way into the mainstream consciousness of our global society.”

This year, 535 ships from 77 companies will receive recognition awards presented by Admiral Robert Papp, Commandant of the USCG, for volunteering to aid distressed vessels during 2010. Companies being recognized include Overseas Shipholding Group, APL Maritime, Maersk, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Roymar Ship Management, Eagle Bulk Shipping, Wilhelmsen Shipping, CSL International, Crowley, Chevron Shipping, Sea River Maritime, Carnival Corporation, BLT Chembulk, Genco, Edison Chouest, Horizon Lines, Interocean American Shipping, Laurin Maritime, NCL, Matson, Seabulk and Seacor, and Teekay Shipping.

The evening is also being sponsored by the International Propeller Club, Blank Rome Maritime, Chamber of Shipping of America, Clay Maitland, Det Norske Veritas, Sea Research Foundation, TBS, and Torm. The cost to attend the dinner is $250 or $2500 for a table.

For more information on reserving a spot, CLICK HERE.

Photo: In 2006, AMVER participating ship M/V Anthemis rescued 4 in a sailboat taking on water, 400 miles off the Virgina Coast. Credit Amver

An Amver participating bulker, the Daio Azalea, rescued two Italian sailors early Wednesday morning May 11, 2011 after their 43 foot catamaran sank 900 miles east of Boston. One sailor suffered a minor head injury in the rescue operation.

U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel received notification from rescue authorities in Rome that the catamaran suffered a broken mast and was taking on water. Coast Guard personnel queried the Amver system and diverted the Panamanian flagged ship to the distress location. The Daio Azalea was only 28 miles from the stricken sailboat.

“We took a big wave and broke our sail and a window,” reported one of the sailors on the Stella Cometa. “We are unable to pump water, have our life jackets on and our life raft ready.” The weather was deteriorating as waves increased to 15 feet and winds were gusting over 40 knots.

Continue Reading at Amver Blog

AMVER is a computer based and voluntary ship reporting system managed by the US Coast Guard used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea.  With AMVER, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of a distress call and divert ships to assist in a the rescue.

In this latest episode learn what went on at the recent Arctic Shipping Summit in Helsinki, Finland and the United States Coast Guard’s efforts in the Arctic.  Also, listen in on an interview with Craig Eason from Lloyd’s List about his time on a Sovcomflot tanker sailing from Murmansk to the Varandey terminal and back.

Here is a direct link to the Quarterdeck audio file.

The Quarterdeck transcript is available here.

You can also download the Quarterdeck in iTunes.

Via Amver Blog

According to a report from the owner of the containership, NYK Lines, the fishing vessel Daiichi Shoei Maru requested a rescue after its engine room caught fire, forcing its crew to abandon ship in life rafts.  222 kilometers away the containership South Islander, sailing from Yokohama to Honiara in the Solomon Islands at the time, was notified at about 2:20 p.m of the request to assist. At approximately 10:20 p.m., the South Islander located the abandoned crew. All 27 fishermen were then safely transferred to the South Islander in good health.

Sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System, or Amver, is a reporting system used by search and rescue authorities to identify vessels in the vicinity of a ship in distress. With Amver, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.  About 12,000 ships from more than 140 nations participate in Amver.

Photo: South Islander courtesy NYK Lines

Captain Georgios Vatsas, the master of the Greek flagged tanker, responded to a request from U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel to divert his Suezmax tanker to rescue the foursome. Within five hours of receiving orders to assist, Captain Vatsas made radio contact with the stricken sailboat and directed his crew to begin rescue operations. Captain Vatsas maneuvered the tanker alongside the sailboat to provide a lee “…from Beaufort force 6 winds and [a] sea state of about 15 feet…” said Captain Vatsas. Within three hours of locating the survivors all four were rescued without injury.

The Delta Kanaris, managed by Delta Tankers, enrolled in the Amver system on May 12, 2010 and logged 167 days on the Amver plot last year while reporting over 30 days so far this year. It seems the Amver system has been saving lots of French yachtsmen lately.  One French sailor was rescued in this case while another foursome were rescued in this case.

Source: Amver blog.  Photo credit: www.marinetraffic.com

This weeks incident photo comes to us via Ben Strong of Amver.

If not for the partnership between Pole Star and Amver the Greek ship Vanessa A would never have been identified to divert and assist two German sailors on Dec. 29, 2010.  Couple that partnership with the online Amver surface picture request form and it was a rescue hat trick!

Rabat to the rescue

MRCC Rabat used the online form to request Amver information when they were notified of a 406 Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) in their search and rescue region.  Within minutes of receiving the position of the Greek ship, rescue authorities in Rabat requested they divert and save the two Germans.

The Greek race to rescue

Thankfully the Vanessa A, managed by Kouros Maritime Enterprises, is a subscriber of Pole Star’s Fleet Management package which allows their ships to automatically send Amver reports without any manual entry from the bridge.  Within 30 minutes of being notified of the distress situation the crew of the Vanessa A was on the scene and engaged in rescue operations.

Photo credit: crew of the M/V Vanessa A