MXAK Brochure

SAFE, SECURE, EFFICIENT, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE MARITIME OPERATIONS

Most visitors to the Marine Exchange of Alaska remark, “all of this is being accomplished with only 20 employees?” While the technologies we employ are impressive, the diverse talents and dedication of Marine Exchange staff are simply awesome. Their efforts in development and operation of AIS, weather, and current stations, as well as a world class vessel compliance monitoring and response system have greatly benefited Alaskan mariners, ports, and residents. MXAK was incorporated in 2000 as a non-profit and is based on the historical marine exchange model established in the 19th century adopted by many U.S. ports. Today, we address the needs of one of the largest and most challenging maritime regions in the world. The construction of a professional, purpose built facility in 2017 to accommodate our Operations Center, electronics shop, computer servers, and staff of maritime professionals has ensured MXAK is here to stay. Today, with the support of the State of Alaska, the Coast Guard, and the maritime industry, MXAK is internationally recognized as a leader in the development and implementation of technologies that enhance maritime safety. Our services have and will continue to save lives, prevent marine casualties, protect the environment, and enhance the efficiency of maritime operations throughout Alaska.”

Captain Ed Page EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“This really has global implications. This is not just a great day for Alaska. It is a great day for our Nation and a great day for the maritime public on a global scale.”

ADMIRAL MCALLISTER, COMMANDER OF THE 17TH USCG DISTRICT AT THE OPENING OF MXAK’S NEW BUILDING

SAFE.

Most Alaska mariners have experienced bad weather, a close call, or a serious marine casualty. Through the application of emerging technologies and field-work, MXAK is enhancing maritime safety and making these stories less common by building a world-class vessel-tracking and weath-er reporting network throughout the state. MXAK’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel tracking network is funded by the maritime industry, U.S. Coast Guard, and State of Alaska. It is heavily relied on by the Coast Guard in carrying out their missions in Alaska. An Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) sponsored initiative to install weather sensors on MXAK’s AIS sites and other locations is providing real time weather information to mariners. The information disseminated by our weather reporting and vesseltracking sites via AIS and smart phones has been instrumental in averting disasters.

DISPLAY OF WEATHER STATION READINGS ON MXAK WEBSITE

LITTLE ISLAND WEATHER STATION

“The Marine Exchange makes it more likely that potential vessel-related problems at sea will be detected, thereby preventing unseen marine accidents.”

One of the challenges the Alaska maritime community faces is complying with the numerous state and federal safety, security, and environmental regulations. MXAK staff has accrued a broad range of expertise in understanding and fulfilling various regulatory requirements. Armed with this knowledge, we have advocated on behalf of all mariners in Alaska, leading to the tailoring of federal regulations for the unique nature of Alaska maritime operations. MXAK staff travel throughout the state conducting facility and vessel safety and security audits as well as developing security and environmental plans. Our efforts are focused on meeting the objectives of the regula- tions while reducing the burden and cost of compliance.

2016

AN MXAK CREW MEMBER INSPECTS SIGNAGE TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH TSA REGULATIONS

ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER NEWS RELEASE, JANUARY 22,

EFFICIENT.

Over the past 18 years, MXAK has built and installed over 130 AIS vessel tracking sites throughout Alaska, resulting in one of the largest active, real time vessel information systems in the world. Ports, facilities, vessels, pilots, tugs, and others in the multifaceted maritime community use this information to enhance the efficiency of maritime operations, saving fuel and reducing the cost of conducting trade in Alaska.

TYPES OF VESSELS WE SUPPORT:

CONTAINER SHIP FISH PROCESSING PASSENGER COAST GUARD

RECREATIONAL VESSEL TOWING TANKER CARGO FERRY FISHING GOVERNMENT POLLUTION RESPONSE LANDING CRAFT

SERVING ALASKA MARITIME COMMUNITY

MXAK

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE.

Preservation of Alaska’s marine environment is of concern to all Alaskans. Past marine casualties in Alaska like the Exxon Valdez and Selendang Ayu have made national news and led to the creation of federal regulations to minimize the risk of similar incidents. MXAK serves as the Alaska Maritime Prevention Network’s operations center, aiding and monitoring vessels operating in Alaska waters, assisting vessels’ compliance with risk mitigating measures and immediately locating resources in the region available to render assistance. The Marine Exchange’s Vessel Compliance Monitoring and Response Center oversees the operation of vessels operating in an area of over 1.5 million square miles of U.S. waters, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“[MXAK provides] a big reassurance to us that we have our eyes on what’s going on out there. I’m big on prevention, and the best way to know what’s going on is to know where everyone is..”

GOVERNOR BILL WALKER

CELEBRATING18 YEARS

FEBRUARY 2016: MXAK Executive Director Captain Ed Page awarded the Alaska Sea Life Center's Lifetime Achievement Award for ihis role in developing MXAK's Alaska AISNetwork

JULY

SPRING 2012: First weather sensorinstalledonMarmionIsland

FEBRUARY

SEPTEMBER 2017: MXAK hosts a GrandOpeningcelebrationfor theirbrandnewfacilityoverlooking Juneau’s waterfront.

APRIL 2015: Construction of new MXAK building on Juneau waterfrontcommences

JANUARY 2014: MXAK initiates Vessel Compliance and Monitoring System for the Alaska Maritime Prevention andResponse Network – over two thousand vessels enrolled

MAY2010:MXAKcommissions

DECEMBER2008: MXAKestablishes its24/7watch

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER 2009: MXAK installs an evaluation AIS network in the Galapagos to aid environmental protection

FEBRUARY 2006:

APRIL 2002: MXAK crew test tracking equipment on F/V AMATULI by sailing 300 miles alongtheAleutianIslands

DECEMBER

APRIL 2001: The Marine Exchange of Alaska opens its doors for business

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT

This is an exciting time for the Marine Exchange of Alaska. Technology advances and increases in communication bandwidth create both opportunity and challenges to mariners and maritime interests. The Marine Exchange is equipped with a great team whose experience and technical expertise put us in position to stay on the leading edge in providing critical information and services. There are opportunities to expand the services of our vessel traffic monitoring system to the West Coast and Arctic, and to transmit real-time weather and tidal current data from our sites over existing networks. As a life-long mariner in Alaska and an active marine pilot in Southeast Alaska I use the marine safety services we provide every day I’m on a ship. I am committed to seeing the MXAK step up to the ongoing tasks of finding effective solutions to present and future challenges and of getting that information into the hands of those who need it.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Captain Hans H. Antonsen PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD

CAPTAIN LAWSON BRIGHAM University of Alaska