For those who may not know AMVER (Automated Mutual Vessel Assistance Vessel Rescue System), it’s a unit of the United States Coast Guard that focuses on maritime safety and particularly rescues at sea. They also lead the way in using social media in the maritime world and government sector.
On the anniversary of the Titanic sinking, AMVER had a remarkable post on their blog which is a must maritime read. It included the this video.
The AMVER blog has posted several photos sent to them by program member Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., managers of the Hokuetsu Delight and Crystal Pioneer. Both vessels played a lead role in rescuing the 64 students and crew of the Canadian training ship Concordia which sank off the coast of Brazil last Wednesday, February 17th.
Being that IMO has designated 2010 “The Year of the Seafarer” these photos celebrate not only the success of the rescue but also the importance of enrolling in the AMVER program and looking out for fellow mariners.
You do not need to be a large commercial ship to be part of AMVER. Many smaller vessels like Concordia and the Sea Education Association’s SSV Corwith Cramer and SSV Robert C. Seamans participate too. If you own or operate a commericial vessel, do yourself and the entire maritime community a favor and sign up today!
To learn more about what AMVER does check outConcordia, AMVER, EPIRBs and At Sea Rescues and listen to episode 36 of the Messing About In Ships podcast You can also check them out on their website, blog , Twitter and download their iPhone App. No excuses to be informed and get involved!
This morning I had the good fortune to speak with Ben Strong from the US Coast Guard’s AMVER unit. (Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System) AMVER is a voluntary system where commercial ships report their positions so that they can assist in at sea rescues.
Let’s face it, the oceans are vast and boats, no matter how big, are still small. If something happens out there and you need some help, there’s a good chance that the first responder will be a commercial ship. An added benefit of participating in the system is that regular position reporting will help you to be found if you encounter some kind of catastrophic event at sea.
Ben confirmed that all three vessels involved in the Concordia rescue were enrolled in the AMVER program. (Concordia, Hokuetsu Delight and Crystal Pioneer) AMVER blog post: Concordia update- Amver ships save school children in high seas rescue
Here’s my discussion with Ben about EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) and rescues at sea.
If you want to learn more about AMVER, listen to episode 36 of the Messing About In Ships podcast and check them our on their website, blog , Twitter and download their iPhone App.
Parody is the sincerest form of flattery and the above Scuttlebutt cartoon by Barb Patton captures the spirit of the social media work Ben Strong and Bev Howard do at AMVER (website/blog).
The US Coast Guard is doing a great job experimenting with social media and nobody does it better than AMVER’s Ben and Bev. They, along with a few other Guardians organized the USCG’s 1st Annual (?) PodCamp a few weeks ago and it was a great success. Here’s a link to my post about 5 highlights of the event.
Ben was recently interviewed on Marketing Over Coffee, one of the top social media podcasts, and you can listen to it here.
The USCG is fortunate to have Admiral Thad Allen, a leader who understands the importance of social media as a communication tool, at the helm. Listen to my Weekly Leader podcast episode 5 to hear Admiral Allen talk about leadership and social media.
Thanks Admiral Allen and AMVER for charting a course demonstrating how social media can be used effectively in a large organization and across the maritime industry!
Well I’m not sure how I missed this video but surprises are good and this one made my day today. :-)
Link to the Amver post with the Herman Melville passage mentioned above.
Ben Strong leads the US Coast Guard’s Amver (Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System) unit. Amver has been saving lives since 1958 and their blog tells their great story. Make sure you check it out.
I interviewed Ben about Amver and other topics on Messing About In Ships podcast episode 36 ; make sure you listen to this too.
Not only does Ben lead Amver but he’s also on the leading edge of using social media in the maritime world and government sector. The above video is a great example of how Ben experiments with new communication tools. This must make his ultimate boss happy because when I interviewed USCG Commandant Admiral Thad Allen for the Weekly Leader podcast episode 5 he shared his thoughts about the United States Coast Guard’s commitment to using new technology in advancing their mission.
So, thanks Ben for the kind words about the Sea-Fever blog and the leadership work we do and Happy Belated Birthday to Herman Melville!
[YouTube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji3RiuFRZEA]
YouTube – Somali Pirates Attack French Warship By Mistake
Well, there’s really not much silly or fun about Somali pirates these days. This video does beg one to ask how they get themselves 1,100 km offshore in these lightly provisioned small boats. 1,100 kms = 593 nautical miles which is approximately the distance to Bermuda from the US mainland. Imagine making that trip in a skiff with an outboard and no head! Obviously they are supported by feeder ships which begs the next question of why the multilateral naval forces can’t easily find and capture or destroy these larger vessels.
What an absurd situation professional mariners find themselves in in that part of the world! More 18th century than 21st!
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