COMDTINST 16122.2A
MAY 31 1996
5.
DISCUSSION and DEFINITIONS. AMVER supports SAR operations worldwide with a
centralized database of merchant ship positions. Participation is voluntary unless mandated by
a vessel's flag state, shipping company, or other authority. Participating vessels provide
information on their SAR capabilities to the AMVER Maritime Relations office. The
information is updated when changes occur. A message containing intended track is sent to
the Operations Systems Center (OSC) Martinsburg, West Virginia, prior to the vessel's
departure. It is updated at least every 48 hours, when voyage plans change, and upon arrival in
port. The AMVER software maintains a dead reckoning (DR) track based on the predicted
track. Coast Guard Command Centers, while functioning as Rescue Coordination Centers
(RCCs), have direct access to the database. Other SAR agencies, U.S. and foreign, obtain this
information by request through a Coast Guard RCC. AMVER information is released only to
recognized SAR agencies for SAR or safety-of-life-at-sea purposes. The basic components of
AMVER are identified in the following sections.
a.
AMVER Center. The OSC serves as the AMVER Center, using computers to provide
predicted ship positions and SAR characteristics of participating ships for use in a SAR
situation. Data received from ships worldwide is entered into the AMVER database.
The OSC staff develops new AMVER computer programs and updates existing ones to
improve the system.
b.
Communications Network.
(1) This component is comprised of a network of communications facilities of several
nations. Voluntary reports from ships are collected and relayed by cooperating radio
stations, or sent to earth stations via satellites, then to the AMVER Center for
computer input. The communication network also permits rapid dissemination of
predicted ship information for use during emergencies. Included are communication
facilities which are not specifically designed for AMVER purposes, but which have
been made available by controlling agencies and governments to assist AMVER on
a collateral basis.
(2) Where needed, foreign nations are contacted concerning availability of their radio
stations to participate in AMVER. Accordingly, opportunities for liaison with
foreign nations which may lead to more effective worldwide communications
coverage or
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