Greek shipowners are leaders in rescuing people at sea

Almost the entire Greek shipping community will be represented at this year’s AMVER Awards Gala Dinner, one of the largest and most important events in the industry, which will take place on December 16, 2022 at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel to honor all ships participating in the US Coast Guard’s AMVER program, as well as the ships that rushed to rescue ships and crews that were in danger.

The annual AMVER Awards event in Greece, which is organized by the Propeller Club of Piraeus in collaboration with the US Embassy in Greece and the United States Coast Guard, turns 30 this year.

The AMVER System

The AMVER (Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue) System monitors vessels’ courses, detects potential problems and notifies other vessels in the area to approach and provide assistance. The idea for this System officially became a reality on April 15, 1958, through the efforts of the United States Coast Guard and some representatives of the merchant marine.

Kostis Fragoulis, President of the Propeller Club, Piraeus and Vice President of the International Propeller Club of the United States, said: “From 2000 to today, almost 7,000 lives have been saved by vessels participating in the AMVER System and many of these rescues are due to the selfless and altruistic efforts of Greek sailors and Greek ships”.

Mr. Fragoulis noted the 30th anniversary of the AMVER Awards in Greece, remembered that in 1992, when AMVER awards were presented to 45 Greek companies. This year 247 Greek shipping companies and their vessels that voluntarily participate in the Program each year will be awarded. “The fact that Greek companies received more than 2,000 AMVER awards last year alone is proof of Greece’s leadership in the global shipping community,” Mr. Fragoulis concluded.

More than 11,000 international vessels participate in the AMVER System and an average of 6,300 vessels are added to the AMVER network every day. It is worth noting that the AMVER Center computer receives over 40,000 AMVER messages every day.