V.Ships Leisure wins Amver award for outstanding seamanship

Safety is at the heart of everything we do here at V.Group. Last night this was on full display at the Safety at Sea Award ceremony in London where V.Ships Leisure won an Amver award for their involvement in a search and rescue mission that saved the lives of six people.

The crew onboard the passenger vessel used during the mission were awarded the prestigious accolade for outstanding seamanship in recognition of the exemplary skill and tenacity they displayed when rescuing the six endangered seafarers. The crew were quick to alter course and sail full speed towards the distress position after receiving a report from the Rescue Coordination Center New Zealand that a fishing vessel had lost power out at sea and begun to drift uncontrollably.

Amver – the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue programme – is an international humanitarian programme, set up to protect life and property at sea. Companies participate in the programme voluntarily and make their ships available as rescue assets in the event of an emergency. The Amver Awards are an opportunity to celebrate heroic acts of seamanship by the crew of a participating vessel, and give thanks to all of the companies, authorities, communication service providers and governments involved in each operation.

This year’s ceremony, held in partnership with the Safety at Sea Awards, marked the first time in 13 years since the awards were presented in the UK. Leading names from across shipping including Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the IMO, and Nusrat Ghani MP, the UK Transport and Maritime Minster came together to commend the seafarers and participating companies, and share examples of best practice to improve seafarer competence and risk management.

There to collect the award on the night were V.Ships Leisure Director Per Bjornsen and Business Development Manager Alex Iley.

Mr Bjornsen commented: ‘It’s a huge honour to collect this award on behalf of the crew member involved in this heroic effort. Their actions ultimately saved the lives of six people – many of whom will have families and loved ones waiting for them onshore. I have a deep respect and admiration for the determination and alertness of our crew, and the skill and sense of solidarity demonstrated throughout the operation.

“This award is testament to time and resources we invest in all of our staff, both onshore and at sea. At V.Group we care about our colleagues, our customers and our company, but for us it doesn’t stop there. As the leading global provider of marine support services, we have an opportunity to drive real change throughout the entire shipping sector by promoting safe and secure work practices, and safeguarding and developing the systems, culture and processes that underpin them.”