Marine Exchange of Alaska Automatic Identification System and Weather Station Installations

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.