2009 AUTOMATED MUTUAL-ASSISTANCE VESSEL RESCUE (AMVER) AWARDS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 050181 SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO DHS OR COAST GUARD LIASON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT ECON ETRD ELTN ATRN PREL SUBJECT: 2009 AUTOMATED MUTUAL-ASSISTANCE VESSEL RESCUE (AMVER) AWARDS ¶1. This is an action request, please see para 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, Bermuda, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, People's Republic of China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, India, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Monaco, Myanmar, Norway, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam. ¶3. AMVER is an international maritime 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. 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. ¶4. In 2008, AMVER merchant ship responses resulted in 197 lives saved 52 lives assisted (for medical attention, evacuation, communications, food/fuel/supplies, etc). AMVER ships conducted 178 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 the internet at , or the AMVER blog at . ¶5. The AMVER Awards Program recognizes those vessels which regularly participate in this voluntary system. The Coast Guard would appreciate Post 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 abroad. Safer oceans contribute to more efficient commerce. ¶6. 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 2009 participation. ¶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 DAOs 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 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 STATE 00050181 002 OF 002 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 current budget restrictions and AMVER award ceremonies need not be elaborate affairs. Regrettably, no U.S. Coast Guard funding is available for 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. Neither U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, U.S. Coast Guard Activities Europe, nor Far East Section are funded for travel to AMVER award ceremonies but may be able to attend some local events. Regional U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security Liaison Officers (ISPLOs) 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 May 31, 2009 whether or not they will be able to assist. Please ensure reply either by email to beverly.a.howard@uscg.mil. Cables to AMVER were accepted in the past but 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 be 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. 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. CLINTON