Vessel Search And Rescue – Should LRIT Replace Amver? gCaptain Total Views: 157 June 11, 2009 Should LRIT replace Amver ? This question was raised by Ryan Erickson on the Unofficial Coast Guard Blog . Ryan did a nice job of highlighting many of the features of both systems. Let’s explore things a bit further. Amver Amver is a global search and rescue system that uses commercial ships to perform rescue operations where traditional resources are unavailable. While voluntary in nature ( with minor exceptions ) there are over 18,000 vessels enrolled in the system. On average, 3,600 ships are reporting in a 24 hour period. Amver receives position data from vessels underway and stores that information on a server at the  United States Coast Guard Operations Systems Center in West Virginia. The information is only used for search and rescue purposes. While the Coast Guard holds  Amver data, they will  share  Amver information with any rescue coordination center during actual maritime emergencies. Amver participation is free to vessels and rescue coordination centers that request the data.  Amver costs the United States Coast Guard approximately $2 million annually. Keep in mind these costs can be offset quickly when  Amver vessels are used within the United States search and rescue region instead of Coast Guard surface or air assets. According to the Coast  Guard’s own  standard rates instruction , the cost of a  High Endurance Cutter and embarked helicopter can exceed $27,000 an hour. The  Amver system can quickly pay for itself after only a handful of cases each year. Amver also collects more information than  LRIT . An  Amver vessel report contains, at a minimum: Vessel call sign/IMO number Time message was sent Current position Current course Average speed When an  Amver ship enrolls, pertinent vessel information is collected such as: Medical capability on board the vessel Communications capability Radio