Marine Exchange of Alaska Automatic Identification System and Weather Station Installations

Authors

Carol D. Janzen, Alaska Ocean Observing SystemFollow
Shawn Mauldin, Marine Exchange of AlaskaFollow
John Hollingsworth, Marine Exchange of AlaskaFollow

BOOC Keywords

Alaska, NOAA, Alaska Ocean Observing System, AOOS, Integrated Ocean Observing System, IOOS, Marine Exchange of Alaska, MXAK, weather, AIS, Automatic Identification System, forecast, maritime, safety

Abstract

The Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) has supported the Marine Exchange of Alaska (MXAK) for over 15 years to enhance maritime safety in Alaska by installing and operating 70 terrestrial weather stations in areas that lacked reliable weather intelligence. The MXAK provides the real-time weather information directly to vessels over the Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel tracking network. The MXAK also equips 16 vessels with weather sensors to build-out automated shipboard weather observing capabilities. All data are made available to NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) in real-time, supporting Alaska's marine forecasts, situational awareness, weather models, and decision support for the protection of life, property, and enhancement of the national economy.

Recommended Citation

Janzen, Carol D.; Mauldin, Shawn; and Hollingsworth, John (2025) "Marine Exchange of Alaska Automatic Identification System and Weather Station Installations," Benefits of Ocean Observing Catalog (BOOC): Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15351/3068-2320.1124

Document Type

Article