Abstract: A vessel retainer apparatus and method is disclosed for removably engaging a vessel, with the apparatus being adapted to be carried adjacent to a human user. The vessel retainer apparatus includes a resilient sleeve having a circumferential axis, with the resilient sleeve being sized and configured to have a portion of the resilient sleeve partially radially encapsulate a section of a frustroconical portion of the vessel that is adjacent to a vessel neck. Also included is a band element having a longitudinal axis spanning from a first end portion to a second end portion. Wherein, the band element is adjacent to the sleeve at the first end portion and at the said second end portion, with the band element being positioned such that the band longitudinal axis and the sleeve circumferential axis are substantially transverse to one another with the band forming a loop.