Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE55508
2008-05-23 15:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

2008 AUTOMATED MUTUAL-ASSISTANCE VESSEL RESCUE (AMVER) AWARDS

Tags:  EWWT ECON ETRD ELTN ATRN PREL 
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P R 231524Z MAY 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO MARITIME SECURITY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
INFO RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//SCCG// 0294
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RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-5342/CG-ACO-I// 0663
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 055508 

SIPDIS, PLEASE PASS TO DHS OR COAST GUARD LIASON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT ECON ETRD ELTN ATRN PREL
SUBJECT: 2008 AUTOMATED MUTUAL-ASSISTANCE VESSEL RESCUE (AMVER) AWARDS

REF: STATE 50488

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 055508

SIPDIS, PLEASE PASS TO DHS OR COAST GUARD LIASON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT ECON ETRD ELTN ATRN PREL
SUBJECT: 2008 AUTOMATED MUTUAL-ASSISTANCE VESSEL RESCUE (AMVER) AWARDS

REF: STATE 50488


1. This is an action request. Please see paragraphs 2 and 10.


2. Posts in or responsible for the following countries/entities are
requested to assist in the annual presentation of awards to owners of
vessels participating in the U.S. Coast Guard's Automated Mutual
Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) ship safety and rescue program:

Australia; Austria; Bahamas; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; Chile;
China, People's Republic of; Croatia; Cyprus; Denmark; Ecuador;
Egypt; France; Germany; Great Britain (United Kingdom); Greece;
Hong Kong; Iceland; India; Isle of Man; Israel; Italy; Japan;
Korea, Republic of; Kuwait; Malaysia; Monaco; Malta; Myanmar;
Norway; Netherlands; New Zealand; Panama; Philippines; Poland;
Portugal; Qatar; Russia; Saudi Arabia; Slovenia; Singapore;
Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Taiwan; Thailand; Turkey; United Arab
Emirates.

NB: For all other posts, this is an information only cable.


3. The AMVER Awards Program recognizes those vessels which regularly
participate in the AMVER system. Information on the AMVER program,
including country award statistics, is available on the internet at
http://www.amver.com/.


4. In connection with the Coast Guard's promotion of the AMVER
system, the Department requests that addressee posts fully exploit
the diplomatic potential of presentation of AMVER awards for 2007
participation. 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 50 years, AMVER has been effective in arranging

emergency assistance to those who need it on the high seas. Vessel
positions are disclosed only for reasons related to search and
rescue. The AMVER communications network takes full advantage of
user friendly, low cost email and internet technology with compressed
message, AMVER/Weather reports, sent from ships via satellite at
little or no cost.


5. In 2007, AMVER merchant ship responses resulted in 450 lives saved
and 65 lives assisted (for medical attention, evacuation,
communications, food/fuel/supplies, etc). AMVER ships conducted 154
searches at sea to verify electronic distress alerts, thus preserving
limited rescue assets for genuine emergencies.


6. The Coast Guard would appreciate your assistance presenting or
distributing the AMVER awards. The awards are integral to AMVER ship
recruitment and retention efforts. AMVER award ceremonies can
provide a platform to promote American trade interests and good will
abroad. Safer oceans contribute to more efficient commerce.


7. In past years, many posts have arranged a small ceremony or
reception for award winners, company representatives and public or
private individuals who may be in a position to assist the AMVER
program. Inclusion of ranking host government officials or local
celebrities in award ceremonies ensures maximum positive publicity
for U.S. sponsorship of this humanitarian program. Major ceremonies
have been held in conjunction with Propeller Club dinners, shipping
conferences and exhibitions and other maritime venues. Local SDOs
and Combatant Commands should take advantage of opportune U.S. Coast
Guard Flag/SES visits, Coast Guard cutter deployments, search and
rescue exercises and AMVER awards to highlight U.S. humanitarian and
maritime safety assistance.


8. It is usually advantageous to present the awards at a location
closest to the headquarters of the ship owners. Thus a consulate in

STATE 00055508 002 OF 002


a port city might be a better location than an inland embassy. We
recognize that posts in countries with only one or two award winners
may not wish to hold a presentation ceremony. In such cases, it
might be appropriate to invite winners to call on a ranking
Embassy/Consulate official to receive the award, perhaps with a
photographer present.


9. The Department understands budget restrictions and AMVER award
ceremonies need not be elaborate affairs. Regrettably, the U. S.
Coast Guard lacks the fiscal authority to spend funding in support of
these ceremonies. Local ship owner associations, Propeller Clubs, or
maritime organizations might offer to sponsor such ceremonies. The
Coast Guard will make every effort to provide a representative at
opportune major award events. U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, U.S.
Coast Guard Activities Europe, and Far East Section are not funded
for travel to AMVER award ceremonies but may be able to attend some
local events. Regional U.S. Coast Guard International Ship and Port
Facility Security Liaison Officers (ISPSLOs) may be invited to
attend.


10. To determine which awards should be mailed to posts for
distribution, as well as those to be mailed directly to recipients by
the Coast Guard, the Department requests that posts advise Coast
Guard by June 30, 2008, whether or not they are willing to assist.
Please ensure reply either by cable to COGARD AMR NEW YORK NY, INFO
COMDT COGARD WASH DC//CG-534// or email to beverly.a.howard@uscg.mil.
Email is the preferred method. Detailed lists of award winning
companies and ships can be provided by email attachment for review to
determine presentation potential. In prior years there were
occasions when awards were distributed to companies prior to
responses from posts. Cables/emails from posts wishing to assist
should include the name and position of the person at the post to
whom award materials should be addressed (Point of Contact),specific
mailing (APO/FPO or street) address details, and a proposed
presentation date. The AMVER packages containing awards, information
for post personnel, suggested presentation remarks, press release and
other related materials will be forwarded by mail or courier to the
POC. Please advise by cable or email if you prefer that awards by
mailed directly to recipient companies. The awards given to these
vessels are in recognition of their dedicated commitment to maritime
safety.


11. AMVER acknowledges some discrepancies between award data provided
early in the year and revised data with the award package. This is
due to ships identified in the processing as having changed name,
flag, company or verified shipyard periods to maintain award
eligibility. Address data is based on the latest available Lloyd's
Register of Shipping Information.


12. As a result of ongoing international discussions and proposals
concerning maritime domain awareness, port security and tracking of
merchant ships at sea, AMVER's visibility as a successful safety
model has risen significantly. AMVER continues to research
technological advances to make the program even more cost efficient
and effective. AMVER officials are working with industry,
governments, other ship reporting operators, and the International
Maritime Organization to maintain the integrity of ship reporting for
search and rescue purposes and to ensure ship position information
retains its priority availability for purposes of safety of life at
sea. The Coast Guard sincerely appreciates worldwide diplomatic
support to highlight the role played by AMVER ships in preventing
loss of life and property.


13. The Department is supporting the international roll-out of the
Global Maritime Partnership (GMP) initiative (reftel). GMP is a new
approach to building cooperative relationships among maritime
nations, all of which benefit from and share a stake in international
commerce, safety, security, and freedom of the seas. GMP unites
mariners, port operators, commercial shippers, multilateral and
non-governmental organizations, interagency, and international
entities in a quest to build a network of partners with a global
consensus on policy principles. AMVER captures the exact qualities
that GMP hopes to achieve.


14. POC for information on AMVER awards is Ms. Beverly Howard, AMVER
Maritime Relations, 1 South Street New York, NY 10004 USA, phone
(212) 668-7764, fax (212) 668-7684 or email:
beverly.a.howard@uscg.mil.
RICE