Amver, sponsored by the United States Coast Guard, is a unique, computer-based, and voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea.With Amver, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.

Amver's mission is to quickly provide search and rescue authorities, on demand, accurate information on the positions and characteristics of vessels near a reported distress.

 In 1976, to address the needs of rescue organizations around the world to raise funds, exchange information and provide co-operation, a group of American professional seamen and business men formed the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS).
 

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is a largely self-funded government agency with the charter of enhancing efficiency in the delivery of safety and other services to the Australian maritime industry.

BMT Cordah is the developer of the SARIS software supporting SAR operations.

The Danish Maritime Safety Administration is in charge of SAR in Denmark. Information about SAR activities and statistics in Denmark are available here in Danish.