Based in Georgetown, Guyana, Amethyst Marine Services functions as a specialized maritime support entity focused on the human and technical elements of shipping operations. Established in 1997, the company has operated for decades within the Caribbean and South American maritime sectors, serving as a primary link between local maritime professionals and the international merchant navy. Its foundation is rooted in the practical experience of merchant marine operations, with management emerging from backgrounds in tanker and bulk carrier navigation, which shapes the company’s operational standards and industry understanding.
The core of the company's business revolves around crew manning and recruitment. It identifies, trains, and deploys Guyanese seafarers to vessels trading worldwide, with a particular emphasis on the Caribbean, North American, and Latin American trade routes. By leveraging Guyana’s status as an English-speaking nation on the South American mainland, the firm supplies personnel who can integrate seamlessly into international fleets that utilize English as the working language of the bridge and engine room. This linguistic alignment addresses specific safety and communication requirements essential to global shipping standards. The company maintains a pool of seafarers across various ranks, including deck and engine officers as well as ratings, facilitating crew changes that are often coordinated through regional hubs to minimize travel logistics for shipowners.
Beyond standard crew placement, Amethyst Marine Services organizes and deploys specialized "riding teams." These constitute groups of technical tradespeople—including welders, fitters, electricians, and painters—who board vessels to perform maintenance and repairs while the ship remains in transit or during dry-docking periods. This service allows vessel operators to conduct essential upkeep on hull structures, machinery, and cargo systems without interrupting commercial schedules. The company also provides specific tank cleaning and demucking services, addressing the maintenance needs of liquid cargo carriers such as petroleum and chemical tankers.
While its primary focus remains on personnel and technical teams, the company also acts as a port agent and logistical support provider within Guyana. These ancillary services include handling customs formalities, immigration processing for signing-on and signing-off crew, and the coordination of ship supplies. Through ship chandlery operations, it provisions vessels with necessary stores and technical equipment upon request, ensuring that ships calling at Guyanese ports receive comprehensive support for both their human resources and operational requirements.
