2009 AUTOMATED MUTUAL-ASSISTANCE VESSEL RESCUE (AMVER) AWARDS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 050181

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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