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Alaska's 24/7 Maritime Operations Center

With unparalleled technology and experience, our Maritime Operations Center has been keeping watch over vessel traffic in and beyond Alaska since 2001.

Alaska-based monitoring service

Our robust real-time weather and AIS data is monitored 24/7 by our Maritime Information Specialists who utilize custom parameters to identify anomalies that may indicate a vessel in distress or of concern. Timely communication with vessel owners/operators, OSROs, and the U.S. Coast Guard increases situational awareness and precise vessel locations are provided to assist with rescue missions or emergency response needs.

To date, MXAK has conducted over 259 individual broadcasts and callouts on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska.

Capabilities

Vessel Traffic Monitoring

Aiding compliance of IMO designated Areas to Be Avoided (ATBA) and ensuring compliance with Alternative Planning Criteria measures during transits in the US Exclusive Economic Zone.

VHF-FM Communications

Providing real-time weather to vessels on the water via, VHF-FM radio, telephone or satellite phone.

Relaying critical information to the Coast Guard during potential search and rescue incidents.

Providing VHF or AIS broadcasts on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard or NOAA advising mariners of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions including safety zones or Broadcast Notice to Mariners or advisories for marine mammal protection.

Monitoring the operational status of 131 AIS sites, 70 weather stations, and 13 VHF-FM sites.

Significant Incidents

10/22/2025: Overheard MAYDAY call from the M/V COASTAL TRADER close to shore near Dutch Harbor, they had loss power.Established comms with the vessel and relayed information to CG WAK. The Captain was able to restart engine and was nolonger in need of assistance.

08/17/2025: Overheard F/V JAMBOREE in Kiliuda Bay, Kodiak had ran aground and was taking on water in an area the CG doesnot have communications. Made callouts and notified CG of incident, provided communications relay and that the vessel indistress had been assisted by nearby vessels and was no longer in need of assistance.

06/30/2025: CG SEAK received report from Petersburg PD of an SOS text message and requested assistance from MXAK. MOC used Petersburg site to contact a vessel at the head of the glacier to relay other vessels in the fjord. Able to confirm false alarm and avert CG launch.

04/29/2025: Overheard F/V SCOOBIE calling out for assistance over Dangerous Cape VHF site with a dead battery with 8persons onboard, 5 adults and 3 children east of Seldovia. Got cell number from vessel and relayed all information to CG.

11/16/2024: Overheard and responded to a vessel in distress in Marmot Bay, the vessel YAHOO was disabled with 3 POB in severe weather. Collected pertinent information and relayed to CG. CG helicopter arrived on scene and hoisted the 3persons onboard to safety.

05/15/2024: Overheard and responded to a MAYDAY call from F/V DEFENDER, 19NM NE of Akutan, 43NM from Dutch Harbor VHF site. DEFENDER reported a fire onboard that had since been extinguished with 30 crew and 2 observers. Information was passed to the USCG. GRETCHEN DUNLAP retrieved the vessel and towed into Dutch Harbor without incident.

04/01/2024: Overheard reports of an entangled humpback whale over Dutch Harbor site and reported to the USCG which initiated NOAA response from entanglement response team. MXAK made VHF broadcasts alerting mariners until the whale was freed.

11/20/2023: MXAK MIS provided critical communications relay during the Sector Southeast Alaska’s response to the tragic landslide that occurred in Wrangell. During initial response efforts, the CG VHF-FM system dropped offline. We utilized our Wrangell based JOTRON to provide information from good Samaritan vessels to the CG on on-scene conditions and status of any persons in the water prior to arrival of Coast Guard Air Station Sitka and CG Cutter.

05/29/2023: Overheard MAYDAY on VHF-16 from the CHICHAGOF DREAM reporting a PIW near Taku Harbor. Vessel was unable to get to them but were launching a kayak to assist. Sector Juneau could hear the transmission but was broken and we provided communications relay. F/V ICY LADY was also in the area and recovered the PIW.