Amver Bulker Saves 3 Off Galapagos Islands

The Amver participating bulk carrier Jin Yun rescued three people from a sunken panga 500 miles north of the Galapagos Islands on Wednesday, March 4, 2015.

Rescue authorities in Ecuador contacted U.S. Coast Guard personnel at the Eleventh District Command Center to assist in the search and rescue efforts.

Ecuadorian rescue personnel had limited information about the distress. Crewmen from the stricken vessel called a crewmen’s wife to report the boat was taking on water.

Search efforts were made more challenging because rescue personnel did not know where the vessel was transiting, but it had departed a port in Columbia.

Coast Guard personnel used the Amver system to locate the 620-foot bulk carrier and requested the vessel divert and search for the missing panga. A maritime patrol aircraft was also diverted and located the vessel with three people waving their arms.

The Hong Kong-flagged bulker arrived on the scene and was able to embark the three survivors who were later transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Active. The Jin Yun continued on its journey to China.

Amver, or Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System is a worldwide voluntary reporting system sponsored by the United States Coast Guard.