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Digital technology, communications support ship emergency response
The importance of automated vessel positioning, fast connectivity and emergency communications for search and rescue were highlighted during the Amver awards ceremony in London, UK
Digital technologies have transformed a key maritime emergency response mechanism that has saved thousands of mariner lives over the decades.
Responses to vessels in distress by commercial ships have been accelerated by access to broadband satellite communications, global positioning, connectivity and intelligent safety-risk management.
These technologies have supported the US Coast Guard’s (USCG)-managed automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue system (Amver), a voluntary system with owners, operators and managers allocating ships to provide search and rescue operations where required.
Amver was set up in 1958 and has grown in size and geographic coverage with more ship operators, owners and managers signing up with vessels committing to help distressed ships.
Low Earth orbit and geostationary orbiting satellites have enhanced emergency communications and technology has enabled the USCG to maximise the efficiency of the co-ordinating assistance.
When a distress call is received, the Amver computer system identifies the best-suited participating ships in the area to divert and provide aid and assistance. Amver receives information on the location of participating ships as their positioning and voyage deviations are automatically reported in daily reports.
These technologies also help search, rescue and vessel salvage providers to provide their services, saving lives, assets and cargoes, and reducing the risk of pollution.
Norway headquartered NavTor has co-operated with the USCG to integrate Amver reporting into its NavStations on multiple vessels.
NavTor’s Amver reporting module enables vessels to send voyage plans and position reports automatically and send deviation reports and passage updates via a NavBox.
The importance of these technologies was highlighted during the Amver awards at the US embassy in London, UK, on 2 December 2025, attended by Riviera.
Ship operators, owners and managers were presented with certificates recognising the number of ships and years they have been involved in the safety initiative. The awards presented at this ceremony cover 255 ships with a combined participation in Amver of 1,587 years of eligibility,.
V Ships has the most ships and time within the emergency response system with 66 vessels having a total of 386 years of participation. Second to V Ships is Northern Marine Management with 33 vessels and 297 years of combined participation.
Two subsidiaries of Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) were presented with certificates. MOL LNG Transportation has 131 years of combined service and MOL Tankship Management has 10 vessels and 116 years across its fleet.
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement has 20 vessels involved with a combined 76 years, while Anglo Eastern Shipping has 17 years of service.
US Coast Guard representative Benjamin Strong congratulated UK-based owners, operators and crews of these vessels for earning Amver awards.
“Your commitment to safety at sea and your continued participation in the Amver programme embody the best traditions of mariners helping mariners,” he sid.
Cruise ship operators and owners are also involved in Amver, with Royal Caribbean having provided 97 years of collective support, Carnival Corp has 18 years and MSC Cruises 43 years.
Energy shipping companies are also involved, with NYK LNG having four vessels with combined 31 years of participation, BP Shipping has 29 years, K Line Energy has 28 years and Shell with 10 years. Stena Drilling has 21 years of combined participation, Navigator Gas has five years, Atalantis Group two vessels involved and the smallest member of Amver is Victoria Steamship with one vessel.
Amver awards were held in association with ABS, Lockton Marine, Navtor and Vikand.
The 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in association with Caterpillar, 19-21 May 2026. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities.
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