August 28, 2018
AIT Press Release #: PR-1826
The American Institute in Taiwan congratulates the 12 shipping companies in Taiwan that received awards this year from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue (Amver) ship safety and rescue program. Amver is an international program, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, to assist the safety of vessels on the high seas and arrange emergency assistance to those who need it.
Thirty-five vessels owned by 12 shipping companies in Taiwan voluntarily participated in this program in 2017. AIT Deputy Director Raymond Greene, speaking at an awards ceremony AIT hosted for these companies on August 28, 2018, thanked these vessels for their dedicated commitment to maritime safety. “We are proud that so many vessels from Taiwan highly value maritime safety and assistance and have voluntarily participated in this U.S.-led humanitarian rescue system. We very much appreciate the support of the Maritime and Port Bureau in encouraging participation in this effort,” Deputy Director Greene said. Maritime and Port Bureau Director General David Hsieh also attended the ceremony.
The Amver program is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. In 2017, merchant vessels participating in Amver saved 153 lives on the high seas and provided emergency medical attention, evacuation, communications, food, fuel, and supplies to others. Amver ships conducted 115 searches at sea, assisting the U.S. Coast Guard and rescue authorities around the world. Over the last 10 years, Amver ships have saved a life every 24 hours.
Additional information about the Amver awards program can be found at http://www.amver.com/Home/AwardsProgram or download the Amver Awards fact sheet from http://www.amver.com/Content/Docs/Facts/UscgCgMixAmverAwardsFactSheet.pdf (PDF, 216KB)
