(JERSEY CITY, N.J.) — Rand Logistics, a leading provider of bulk freight shipping and ship repair services throughout the Great Lakes region, announced that three of the company’s U.S.-flagged vessels have been recognized by the United States Coast Guard for their commitment to safety at sea as part of the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) program for the 2017 sailing season.
AMVER, sponsored by the Coast Guard, is a computer-based voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. Rand’s M/V Calumet and M/V Manitowoc received the AMVER Blue Pennant for the vessels’ first year of participation with AMVER. Towing vessel Defiance was honored for the third year and will continue to fly the AMVER Blue Pennant for the vessel’s participation with AMVER.
Capt. Karl Hardesty from Defiance and barge Ashtabula attended the AMVER awards event on May 22 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., as part of the 2018 National Maritime Day celebration.
“Because of the efforts of mariners like our vessel captains and crewmembers who play an active role in the AMVER program, we can all enjoy the beauty of our Great Lakes and rivers knowing that assistance is available if ever it is needed,” said Michael C. Farrell II, director of health, safety and environmental (HSE) at Rand. “We look forward to continuing our involvement with AMVER during our current sailing season and beyond.”
The AMVER Awards Program was inaugurated in 1971 to recognize those vessels which regularly participate in the AMVER system and the merchant shipping companies that volunteer to be available for maritime emergency response. Vessels in the AMVER program commit to a minimum of 128 days on the system annually. Rescue coordinators are able to identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.
