[011011.EN.SEA] MOL Wins Amver Assisted Rescue At Sea Award For Saving Training Ship Lives

MITSUI OSK Lines has won the 2011 Amver Assisted Rescue at Sea Award presented by Lloyd's List in a ceremony held at Hilton Hotel, London on behalf of Amver, the voluntary global ship reporting system sponsored by the US Coast Guard to help assist persons in distress.

This year's award honours the MOL-owned woodchip carriers Hokuetsu Delight and Crystal Pioneer, which rescued all 64 persons adrift from the sailing training ship Concordia, which capsized in the Atlantic Ocean 550 kilometres southeast of Rio de Janeiro. It was praised for its seafarers' demonstrating extraordinary courage and seamanship.

The 57-metre Concordia, operated as a floating school, encountered fierce winds 344 miles off the coast of Rio de Janiero on February 17 and capsized around 2000 hrs, with the crew and trainees, high school and university students, abandoning the ship.

Search and rescue activities took place from the night of the incident until the morning of the 19th. Despite high winds, choppy seas, and limited predawn visibility, the two woodchip carriers searched for and located the shipwreck survivors. The task was all the more difficult considering that the huge wood chip carriers are easily affected by winds and difficult to manoeuvre. Nonetheless, the crew completed the rescue without any new injuries or damage.

"The operation to save such a large group of students was an impressive display of skill and bravery by all involved. The actions of the Crystal Pioneer and Hokuetsu Delight offered a perfect display of international cooperation and a shining example of best practices," said one of the judges at the ceremony.

Source : HKSG.