The following is the text of a press release issued by the Coast Guard’s Amver program:
(NEW YORK) — The United States Coast Guard Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel
Rescue system, Amver, earned the distinguished Plimsoll Award for outstanding service by an organization yesterday at the Connecticut Maritime Association Shipping 2009 exhibition. The Plimsoll Award is sponsored by Professional Mariner Magazine.
Rescue system, Amver, earned the distinguished Plimsoll Award for outstanding service by an organization yesterday at the Connecticut Maritime Association Shipping 2009 exhibition. The Plimsoll Award is sponsored by Professional Mariner Magazine.
John Gormley, editor of Professional Mariner, lauded Amver’s 51 years of service.
Samuel Plimsoll (1824-1898) was a Member of Parliament in Britain who fought against
unsafe maritime industry practices, especially the overloading of ships. His efforts led to passage of the Unseaworthy Ships Bill in 1878, which required ships to have marks
indicating safe load lines.
unsafe maritime industry practices, especially the overloading of ships. His efforts led to passage of the Unseaworthy Ships Bill in 1878, which required ships to have marks
indicating safe load lines.
The Plimsoll marks on ships today are an enduring testimony to his tireless pursuit of
safety at sea. Professional Mariner proudly presents its Plimsoll Awards each year to
individuals and organizations that embody the spirit of Samuel Plimsoll.
safety at sea. Professional Mariner proudly presents its Plimsoll Awards each year to
individuals and organizations that embody the spirit of Samuel Plimsoll.
“We are honored and humbled to receive this award on behalf of the over 18,000
participants in the Amver system†Benjamin Strong, Amver Director, stated in remarks at the ceremony. “We recognize the efforts of our participants and accept this award on their behalf,†he added.
participants in the Amver system†Benjamin Strong, Amver Director, stated in remarks at the ceremony. “We recognize the efforts of our participants and accept this award on their behalf,†he added.
Amver, sponsored by the United States 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. Prior to sailing, participating ships send a sail plan to the Amver computer center.
Vessels then report every 48 hours until arriving at their port of call. This data is able to project the position of each ship at any point during its voyage. In an emergency, any rescue coordination center can request this data to determine the relative position of Amver ships near the distress location. On any given day there are over 3,700 ships available to carry out search and rescue services. Visit http://www.amver.com to learn more about this unique worldwide search and rescue system.
