Maritime healthcare specialist VIKAND, in partnership with the US Coast Guard, was honoured to host and coordinate the 2025 AMVER Awards at the United States Embassy in London yesterday (2 December). The gathering of leading maritime stakeholders was co-sponsored by ABS, Lockton Marine and NAVTOR.

This year, 30 UK companies were recognised for their commitment to safety at sea through active participation in the Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) programme. Together, their 255 vessels represent a combined 1,587 years of eligibility, underscoring the UK’s sustained contribution to international search and rescue readiness.

“Supporting AMVER’s mission is a natural extension of our own commitment to safeguarding those who work at sea,” said Ronald Spithout, Managing Director of OneHealth by VIKAND. “Today, we recognise the vessels and crews who have stepped forward in moments of need, and we renew our commitment to creating a safer, healthier maritime industry for everyone who serves on the world’s oceans.”

Operated by the US Coast Guard since 1958, AMVER is a unique, voluntary global ship reporting network that enables merchant vessels to take part in search and rescue operations. AMVER leverages real-time geolocation data to position vessels for rapid emergency response far from shore.

Over the decades, AMVER vessels have rescued tens of thousands of people – from fishing vessels drifting in the Pacific to yachts disabled in Atlantic storms to distressed craft in the Mediterranean.

“I want to personally congratulate the United Kingdom’s shipowners, operators and crews whose vessels earned AMVER awards this year,” said Benjamin Strong, M.S., NRP, United States Coast Guard. “Your commitment to safety at sea and your continued participation in the AMVER programme embody the best traditions of mariners helping mariners.”

The guestlist for the awards featured more than 100 maritime stakeholders, including representatives of the US Embassy, International Maritime Organization, UK Chamber of Shipping, UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, seafarers’ charities and others.

“Lockton is honoured to sponsor this reception along with our friends at NAVTOR and ABS,” said Stephen Hawke, Managing Director of Lockton P.L. Ferrari, the oldest and largest specialist P&I broker in maritime insurance. “The extraordinary work that AMVER facilitates in saving that most precious of all things – human life – is humbling to be a part of.”

The event was also supported by NAVTOR, whose positioning technology enables rapid search and rescue by AMVER vessels in even the most remote waters.

“From the moment we entered into dialogue with the United States Coast Guard, supporting AMVER was an easy decision,” said Richard A.D. Northover, Managing Director, NAVTOR UK Ltd. “We are proud to contribute to such an important initiative and grateful to be part of a global effort to safeguard lives at sea.”

Co-sponsor ABS Group, a global leader in providing classification, certification and verification services for marine and offshore assets, also highlighted the significance of the event.

“The AMVER Awards is always a meaningful moment for our team,” said Dionysios Antonopoulos, ABS Vice President, Northern Europe. “UK shipowners have a long, proud safety record, and their dedication has shaped a world where mutual assistance is not just a nice idea, but a daily practice.”