HUNDREDS of Greek shipping companies were recognised at the 30th anniversary of the Greek AMVER Awards Gala Dinner, at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel in Athens, reported Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide.
Held in the presence of Greek government officials, top US diplomats and senior representatives from nearly the entire Greek maritime community, the event was organised by the International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus, in collaboration with the US Embassy in Greece and the United States Coast Guard.
The AMVER System (Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue) monitors ships, identifies possible problems and informs ships in the vicinity to approach and provide assistance. It officially came to life in April 1958 through the efforts of the United States Coast Guard and a number of commercial shipping representatives.
Over 7,000 lives have been saved by AMVER-participating ships since 2000 and many of them owe their lives to the selfless and altruistic efforts of seamen and vessels of Greek interests. Over 11,000 international ships participate in AMVER and an average of 6,300 ships are added on the AMVER plot each day.
Fittingly, the event opened with renditions of the anthems of the United States and Greece, before the welcoming remarks by Costis Frangoulis, president of the International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus and vice president of the International Propeller Club of the United States.
'Tonight is a very special night, since this year the AMVER awards event completes 30 years in Greece. This is a particularly important anniversary for Greek Shipping,' said Costis Frangoulis, president of the International Propeller Club, in front of 950 guests.
'As every year, tonight we honour our seafaring heroes who, with self-sacrifice and self-denial, hurry to save lives in the seas of the world, defying all danger,' said Mr Frangoulis.
'We honour the ships and their management companies. We honour all of you who are at the helm of decisions and support this very important US Coast Guard programme that began in 1958 in the North Atlantic and has expanded worldwide since 1971. A programme that since 2000 has helped save 7,000 lives,' he said.
SeaNews Turkey
Held in the presence of Greek government officials, top US diplomats and senior representatives from nearly the entire Greek maritime community, the event was organised by the International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus, in collaboration with the US Embassy in Greece and the United States Coast Guard.
The AMVER System (Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue) monitors ships, identifies possible problems and informs ships in the vicinity to approach and provide assistance. It officially came to life in April 1958 through the efforts of the United States Coast Guard and a number of commercial shipping representatives.
Over 7,000 lives have been saved by AMVER-participating ships since 2000 and many of them owe their lives to the selfless and altruistic efforts of seamen and vessels of Greek interests. Over 11,000 international ships participate in AMVER and an average of 6,300 ships are added on the AMVER plot each day.
Fittingly, the event opened with renditions of the anthems of the United States and Greece, before the welcoming remarks by Costis Frangoulis, president of the International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus and vice president of the International Propeller Club of the United States.
'Tonight is a very special night, since this year the AMVER awards event completes 30 years in Greece. This is a particularly important anniversary for Greek Shipping,' said Costis Frangoulis, president of the International Propeller Club, in front of 950 guests.
'As every year, tonight we honour our seafaring heroes who, with self-sacrifice and self-denial, hurry to save lives in the seas of the world, defying all danger,' said Mr Frangoulis.
'We honour the ships and their management companies. We honour all of you who are at the helm of decisions and support this very important US Coast Guard programme that began in 1958 in the North Atlantic and has expanded worldwide since 1971. A programme that since 2000 has helped save 7,000 lives,' he said.
SeaNews Turkey
