AMVER Information Collection Flowchart

2133-0025

MARAD // CG

Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel
Rescue System (AMVER)

Information Flow Chart

		MARAD	Coast Guard
Information Collected	Who provides the info	Certain U.S. and foreign flag vessels.	Merchant ships, on a voyage greater than 24 hours, are encouraged to voluntarily participate.
	Why is it provided	Mandatory per 46CFR Part 307 for certain U.S.-flag vessels and foreign-flag w/ interim War Risk Insurance binders written by MARAD under Title 12 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as amended.	Voluntary reporting and used only for safety of life/search and rescue.
	How is it provided	Preferred method is electronic mail sent via satellite or HF radio. Other methods include facsimile, U.S. Coast Guard communication stations, or as part of the ship’s weather report.	Preferred method is electronic mail sent via satellite or HF radio. Other methods include facsimile, U.S. Coast Guard communication stations, or as part of the ship’s weather report.
	Frequency that info is provided	Vessel position reports every 48 hours. MARAD may increase frequency for mandatory reporting.	Vessel position reports every 48 hours. If a vessel elects to make an AMVER report as part of it’s at sea weather report, then that frequency is every 6 hours.
	Outreach // how do respondents (i.e., the public) know about this info collection	MARAD Advisories are broadcasted to change frequency of mandatory reporting.	AMVER maintains a marketing staff and active outreach program including a web site, awards/recognition program for participation, engagement at shipping conventions, publishing of the AMVER Ship Reporting System Manual, etc.
	History // how long has this info been collected	Since 1975, at the request of the Department of Navy. Originally established as the U.S. Merchant Vessel Locator Filing System (USMER)	52 years (18 July 2008 was 50th anniversary of AMVER.) MARAD reporting requirement merged into AMVER in 1986.
Information Storage	Where is the info stored	Database at the U.S. Coast Guard Operations System Center in West Virginia.	Database at the U.S. Coast Guard Operations System Center in West Virginia.
	Who has access to the info	MARAD, Office of Security	U.S. Coast Guard rescue coordination center (RCC) watchstanders. The only exception is MARAD for ships mandated to report to MARAD.
	How is it accessed	Accessed via phone line to a laptop computer. A token pass code is used.	RCC accesses via user sign-ons/passwords over Coast Guard data network.
	How long has it been managed in this way	Decades	Decades
Information Use	Who uses the info collected	MARAD, Office of Security, Cargo Preference, and Marine Insurance	U.S. Coast Guard rescue coordination center (RCC) watchstanders when a SAR incident occurs.
	Why is it used	Primary purpose is to locate vessels for MARAD Advisories. Back-up vessel tracking system to MarView.	Safety of Life/search and rescue

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