RADIO AIDS TO MARINE NAVIGATION - Canadian Coast Guard

AMVER – AUTOMATED MUTUAL-ASSISTANCE VESSEL RESCUE SYSTEM
Note: A 96-hour pre-arrival report to U.S. ports is required under 33 CFR 160
The Amver System, operated by the United States Coast Guard, is a maritime mutual assistance program that provides
important aid to the development and coordination of search and rescue (SAR) efforts in the oceans of the world.
Merchant vessels of all nations making offshore passages of more than 24 hours are encouraged to send sail plans and
periodic position reports to the Amver Centre in Martinsburg, WV There is no charge for these radio messages when they
are sent through MCTS Centres. Information from these messages is entered into a computer that generates and maintains
dead reckoning positions for participating vessels throughout their voyages. The predicted locations and SAR
characteristics of all vessels known to be within a given area are furnished upon request to recognized SAR agencies of any
nation for use during an emergency. Predicted vessels’ locations are disclosed only for reasons related to maritime safety.
Amver is a free and voluntary program. An Amver participant is under no greater obligation to render assistance during an
emergency than a vessel that is not participating. Benefits to shipping include:
• improved likelihood of rapid aid in emergencies;
• reduced number of calls for assistance to vessels not favourably located;
• reduced time lost for vessels responding to calls for assistance. An Amver participant is under no greater obligation
to render assistance during an emergency than a vessel that is not participating.
Details of Amver System operations may be obtained from Amver Maritime Relations Office, U.S Coast Guard, Battery
Park Building, 1 South Street, New York, NY 10004-1499 (Telephone: 212-668-7764, Fax 212-668-7684). Amver
instructions are also available at Coast Guard Captain of the Port and Marine Safety Offices in major United States coastal
ports. The instructions are published in the following languages: Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German,
Greek, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish. Requests for instructions should state the
language desired if other than English. Amver Website: http://www.amver.com
Ship Station (Radio) Technical Regulations, 1999 now specify compulsory participation in Amver for certain ships when
departing on an offshore voyage of more than 24 hours duration.
The provisions apply to all Canadian ships and to all non-Canadian ships engaged in the coasting trade of Canada. Of this
group, the following are exempted:
• fishing vessels engaged in fishing;
• ships operated by the Canadian government on law enforcement duties;
• vessels whose voyages will be within the waters of an Arctic Shipping Safety Control Zone, Hudson Bay, James
Bay or Ungava Bay; and
• vessels in other waters provided their voyages are within VHF or MF coverage areas.
It should be noted that the above exemptions do not amount to a prohibition; and that all other ships proceeding on an
offshore voyage of more than 24 hours duration are encouraged to participate in Amver.
I. To Participate
Any merchant vessel of one thousand gross tons or more on a voyage of greater than twenty-four hours to anywhere on the
globe is to be part of the Amver system. International participation is voluntary regardless of vessel’s or company’s flag,
country of origin, or destination.
II.
The Information Reported
Information voluntarily provided by vessels to Amver is kept strictly confidential, and is protected by the Coast Guard. It
will be released only for safety purposes.
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