By Mark Edward Nero
A total of 65 Crowley Maritime Corp. vessels were recently recognized for their participation in the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) program, a voluntary global ship reporting system used by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea.
The awards were given during the U.S. Coast Guard’s NAMEPA Safety at Sea Seminar dinner, an event designed to bring industry and government leaders together each year in Washington DC.
The 65 Crowley vessels were given a certificate of merit for participation, with eight company vessels receiving additional pennants for their continuous, long-term dedication to the program.
AMVER pennants for dedication to the AMVER program are given to vessels that are consistently eligible for enrollment. They are color-coded and given on milestone years, including first, fifth, tenth and beyond. Crowley vessels Ocean Wind and Siku received blue pennants for completing their first full years; tugs Gauntlet, Endurance, Guardian, Sea Breeze and Stalwart each received gold pennants for completing five consecutive years; and the Resolve received a purple pennant for completing its tenth consecutive year.
The AMVER system, which finds its roots in the Titanic disaster in 1912, has more than 22,000 vessels enrolled. Awards are given to vessels that send position reports and are available to divert a minimum of 128 days per year. The company receives a letter of appreciation while the ship receives a Certificate of Merit.