Sponsored Awards

THE AMVER ASSISTED RESCUE AT SEA AWARD

In 1999, LLOYDS LIST Newspaper took over sponsorship of the award. It is fast becoming one of the most prestigious international awards for extra-ordinary rescues at sea. It generally recognizes the "rescue of the year" by a ship participating in AMVER. Criteria for selection include: number of persons saved; value of property saved; difficulty of the rescue; extraordinary distance of the diversion, or time consumed in search and rescue efforts; and exercise of command, control and/or coordination at the scene of the distress. The award consists of a plaque and the distinctive red AMVER pennant and is presented at a major maritime event in London.

THE ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA (AFRAS) AMVER AWARD

This award was inaugurated in 1996 by this non-profit, charitable-status foundation devoted to supporting services concerned with saving lives at sea, and promoting the importance of safety in concert with other maritime and aviation organizations. Selection criteria for this award include: seamanship; shiphandling; degree of effort involved in the rescue; and the ship(s)' initiative in responding. The elegant award plaque is presented by AFRAS at its annual Coast Guard Award Ceremony held in the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. in September.

THE SAFETY AT SEA INTERNATIONAL AMVER AWARD

This award was established in 1997 and is sponsored by Lloyds Register-Fairplay Ltd., (UK), publisher of SAFETY AT SEA Magazine. The award is presented annually at the Safety At Sea and Marine Equipment Exhibition and Conference (SASMEX) in Brighton, England. This award recognizes "outstanding seamanship by the crew of a participating AMVER ship in assisting those in peril on the sea." It also highlights the value of the various components of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in alerting and assisting in the coordination of a search and rescue response. AMVER ships involved in rescues brought about by EPIRBS, INMARSAT or DSC terminal alerts are considered for selection. The award consists of a glass trophy and the distinctive green AMVER pennant reserved for this award.

NEW YORK COUNCIL, NAVY LEAGUE OF THE U.S., AMVER AWARD MEDAL

In 1997, the New York Council, Navy League of the United States, established an award for an exceptional rescue by a U.S.-owned, crewed or homeported commercial ship, or coordinated by a U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center. The award is presented only in those years where a rescue at sea of appropriate significance takes place. The Executive Board of the New York Council bases its evaluation of nominees on initiative taken in prosecuting the rescue; difficulty of the rescue; number of persons saved; ingenuity brought to bear on the rescue operation; or level of danger involved. The award, consisting of a Gold Medal and a unique Ship's Ensign featuring the Navy League and AMVER logos astride the traditional orange Coast Guard stripe and emblem, is presented by the Council President at the annual, black-tie Anniversary Dinner, before an audience of several hundred, at a major hotel in New York.