Maritime Lawyers

The AMVER Program

The Atlantic Merchant Vessel Emergency Reporting System (AMVER) is a program sponsored by the United States Coast Guard. It is a computer-based, unique, voluntary global ship reporting system. The system is used by various search and rescue organizations and authorities to arrange for assistance for persons and ships in distress while at sea.

The coordinators of AMVER are able to identify ships which are participating in the program and divert them, if and when necessary, to the current rescue mission. These ships frequently are able to reach the injured person or distressed boat hours before a Coast Guard ship would be able to get there.

The organization was officially created in 1958. It originated as an experiment in the North Atlantic area alone. The idea was not entirely new; many people had the idea for a similar program following the Titanic disaster in 1912. During that disaster, many ships in the area that could actually see the ship and its emergency flares felt that the flares were part of a maiden voyage celebration being held on the ship. If the AMVER program had existed at the time, who knows how many more people could have been saved. Unfortunately, the program could not be created until the 1950s when computer technology became available.

If you have been injured while at sea or on the water, contact the maritime injury lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 1-866-950-9000 to discuss your case and to determine your legal options.