The purpose of ship reporting systems is to monitor vessels' positions
at sea so that a response to any high-seas emergency can be coordinated
among those nearest and best able to help. It is important that complete
information be made available to search and rescue (SAR) coordinators
immediately so.
For example, a medical emergency at sea might require a
doctor; a ship reporting system can find the nearest vessel with a
doctor aboard. A sinking craft might require a vessel to rescue the
crew, and perhaps another to provide a lee. A ship reporting system
allows SAR coordinators to quickly assemble the required assets to
complete the rescue.
The International Convention for the Safety
of Life at Sea (SOLAS) obligates the master of any vessel who becomes
aware of a distress incident to proceed to the emergency and assist
until other aid is at hand or until released by the distressed vessel.
Other international treaties and conventions impose the same
requirement.
By maintaining a database of information as to the
particulars of each participating vessel, and monitoring their positions
as their voyages proceed, the Amver coordinator can quickly ascertain
which vessels are closest and best able to respond to any maritime
distress incident. They can also release vessels that might feel
obligated to respond from their legal obligation to do so, allowing them
to proceed on their way without incurring liability for not responding.
International agreements ensure that no costs are incurred by a
participating vessel.
Several ship reporting systems are in
operation throughout the world. The particulars of each system are given
in publications of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Masters of vessels making offshore passages are requested to always
participate these systems when in the areas covered by them. The only
worldwide system in operation is the U.S. Coast Guard's Amver system.
Amver is an internationalmaritimemutual assistance program that
coordinates search and rescue efforts around the world. It is voluntary,
free of charge, and endorsed by the IMO. Merchant ships of all nations
are encouraged to file a sailing plan, periodic position reports, and a
final report at the end of each voyage, to the Amver Center located in
the U.S. Coast Guard Operations Systems Center inMartinsburg,WV. Reports
can be sent via e-mail, Inmarsat-C, Amver/SEAS "compressed message"
format, Sat-C format, HF radiotelex, HF radio or telefax message. Most
reports can be sent at little or no cost to the ship.
Data from
these reports is protected as "commercial proprietary" business
information, and is released by U.S. Coast Guard only to recognized
national SAR authorities and only for the purposes of SAR in an actual
distress. Information concerning the predicted location and SAR
characteristics of each vessel is available upon request to recognized
SAR agencies of any nation or to vessels needing assistance. Predicted
locations are disclosed only for reasons related to marine safety.
The
Amver computer uses a dead reckoning system to predict the positions of
participating ships at any time during their voyage.Benefits to
participating vessels and companies include:
- Improved chances of timely assistance in an emergency.
- Reduced number of calls for ships not favorably located.
- Reduced lost time for vessels responding.
- Added safety for crews in the event of an overdue vessel.
Amver
participants can also act as the eyes and ears of SAR authorities to
verify the authenticity of reports, reducing the strain on SAR personnel
and facilities. Amver is designed to compliment computer and
communications technologies, including GMDSS systems
that provide distress alerting, and GPS positioning systems. These
technologies can reduce or entirely eliminate the search aspect of
search and rescue (since the precise location of the distress can be
known), allowing SAR authorities to concentrate immediately on the
response.
The Amver Sailing Plan provides information on the port
of departure, destination, course, speed, navigational method,
waypoints, communications capabilities, and the presence of onboard
medical personnel. The database contains information on the ship's
official name and registry, call sign, type of ship, tonnage,
propulsion, maximum speed, and ownership. Changes in any of this data
should be reported to Amver at the earliest opportunity.
Amver
participants bound for U.S. ports enjoy an additional benefit: Amver
messages which include the necessary information are considered to meet
the requirements of 33 CFR 161 (Notice of Arrival).
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