Question 461 Deck Safety

The correct answer is C) There is no cost to the ship or owner for messages sent within the AMVER system. The AMVER system is a voluntary global ship reporting system used by search and rescue authorities to coordinate rescue operations. Participants in the AMVER system do not incur any costs for sending position reports or other messages through the system. This is a key feature of AMVER that encourages participation and helps facilitate effective search and rescue coordination at no additional expense to the ship or owner. The other answer choices are incorrect: A) The AMVER system does help reduce the time lost for vessels responding to calls for assistance by providing the search and rescue authorities with up-to-date information on the location of participating vessels. B) An AMVER participant does not have a greater obligation to render assistance than a non-participant. The obligation to provide assistance to vessels in distress is a universal maritime duty. D) AMVER participation does not affect the requirement to provide 24-hour advance notice to the U.S. Coast Guard before entering a U.S. port from offshore.