The US Consulate has recognised seven Bermuda-based shipping companies for participating in the US Coast Guard's voluntary search and rescue programme, AMVER (Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System).

AMVER is a voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to ships and aircraft in distress at sea.

The companies, whose nine ships received certificates for enrolling in AMVER, included Bernhard Schulte Ship Management Ltd. for the Bahama Spirit and the Cap Bon; Container Ship Management Ltd. for the Oleander; Frontline Ltd. for the Front Commander and the Front Crown; Gearbulk Pool Ltd. for the Swan Arrow; Golden Ocean Group Ltd. for the Golden Ice; Nordic American Tanker Shipping for the Nordic Passat; and Teekay Shipping Ltd for the Scotia Spirit. Seven of the ships are newcomers to AMVER, but the Cap Bon and the Scotia Spirit have participated in this global safety programme for three and four years respectively.

In presenting the awards, Consul General Grace Shelton said: "It is always a pleasure to focus attention on the good that can come from working together to achieve a common result, and that is especially true when lives are at stake on the high seas. The success of AMVER is the direct result of ships like yours that put safety first. Your participation in AMVER is another example of the partnership between not only the United States and Bermuda, but also among ships around the world."

Last year, ships enrolled in AMVER saved 237 lives while assisting many other ships in distress around the world. One hundred and forty-seven ships from more than 12 nations either assisted in a rescue or saved a life.

In all, 5,549 ships contributed to maritime safety in 2009 by plotting their co-ordinates on AMVER in case of an emergency. The Bermuda ships were among that number.