JUNEAU, Alaska – Marine Exchange of Alaska (MXAK) is pleased to announce the installation of two new Marine Safety Sites at Cape Yakataga and Katalla, significantly expanding maritime communications and vessel monitoring coverage in the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound.
These sites fill critical coverage gaps along a vast stretch of remote coastline often referred to as Alaska's "Lost Coast," an area that supports substantial commercial, fishing, cargo, and cruise vessel traffic. Until now, much of this region had limited maritime communications coverage and little to no Coast Guard Rescue 21 distress communications capability.
The new sites provide a suite of maritime safety services, including Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel tracking, Digital Selective Calling (DSC), and VHF-FM marine communications. Most importantly, they expand the Coast Guard's ability to receive distress communications from mariners operating in this previously underserved region. By extending communications coverage from the western end of Icy Bay into Prince William Sound, the sites enhance the Coast Guard's ability to respond to emergencies and provide urgent, and sometimes life-saving, assistance to mariners in need.
The effectiveness of the new infrastructure was demonstrated immediately following activation of the Katalla site. On the same day it became operational, MXAK's 24/7 Maritime Operations Center in Juneau successfully established VHF communications with the cruise ship Seven Seas Explorer while the vessel was approximately 48 nautical miles offshore.
These installations were made possible through MXAK's longstanding partnership with Cordova Telecom Cooperative (CTC). By utilizing strategically located CTC telecommunications infrastructure, MXAK is able to extend maritime safety services into areas that were previously beyond the reach of traditional communications networks.
MXAK plans to continue expanding coverage in the region with the installation of an additional Marine Safety Site on Latouche Mountain in the coming months. The new site will provide the same suite of AIS, DSC, and VHF-FM communications capabilities, further enhancing maritime safety and communications coverage throughout Prince William Sound and the northern Gulf of Alaska.
"Partnerships like the one we share with CTC are essential to improving maritime safety throughout Alaska," said Marine Exchange of Alaska's Chief Operating Officer, John Hollingsworth. "By combining resources, expertise, and infrastructure, we can provide critical services to mariners operating in some of the most remote waters in North America while strengthening the Coast Guard's ability to receive distress calls and coordinate emergency response."
The addition of the Katalla and Cape Yakataga sites, along with the planned Latouche Mountain installation, further strengthens MXAK's statewide network of Marine Safety Sites. These investments improve communications, increase maritime domain awareness, expand distress communications coverage, and enhance the Coast Guard's ability to provide timely assistance to the maritime public throughout Alaska.