AMVER Awards were presented on Monday, May 22, 2017 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. as part of the 2017 National Maritime Day Celebration. The evening celebrated over 160 merchant shipping companies that volunteer to be available for maritime emergency response.
AMVER, or Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System is a worldwide voluntary reporting system sponsored by the United States Coast Guard. It is a computer-based global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. With AMVER, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.
The TDI-Brooks’ research vessel R/V Proteus was cited for its efforts in rescuing 8 persons of Cuban Nationality from a sport fisherman adrift at sea on 12 September, 2016. On the evening of 12 September, a VHF radio call was received for rescue operations of a 25 foot sport fisherman that had been adrift on the southwestern side of Cuba for a week. The vessel in distress had been spotted by a tug and tow operation that was not capable of conducting a rescue. With support and guidance of the USCG Miami, R/V Proteus altered course to intercept and assist. R/V Proteus maneuvered alongside the drifting craft and rescued 8 persons of Cuban nationality. After it was determined that extraordinary medical attention was not required, the crew was fed, berthed, and taken to the Cayman Islands for further assistance.
The Award was presented to TDI-Brooks’ Director of Operations Pete Tatro by Rear Admiral Linda Fagan, U. S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations, Policy & Capabilities along with Mr. Benjamin M. Strong United States Coast Guard, Director of Amver Maritime Relations. USCG Photo courtesy of Beverly Howard.
