The AWSC and its work is recognized in both regional and national policy documents. Below are a few samples of such documents.

The U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System (USDOT) | National Strategy for the Arctic Region Implementation Plan
- Executive Summary: Ten-Year Prioritization of Infrastructure Needs in the U.S. Arctic
- Full Report: Ten-Year Prioritization of Infrastructure Needs in the U.S. Arctic
The White House National Strategy
The United States Coast Guard Arctic Strategy Implementation Plan

The AWSC was established in October 2014 as a self-governing multi-stakeholder group focused on creating or documenting best practices to ensure a safe, efficient, and predictable operating environment for all users of the arctic waterways. The committee is composed of a wide array of arctic maritime users and stakeholders that fall under three categories: Subsistence Hunters, Industry, and Other representatives. Each category has five seats, each with a vote in decisions made by the organization.

The AWSC Bylaws were adopted by the Committee in March 2015.

Mission

The mission of the Arctic Waterways Safety Committee is to implement lawful best practices to ensure a safe, efficient, and predictable operating environment for all Arctic waterway users.

Vessel Tracking App

December 5, 2017

AWSC Meeting

Anchorage, Alaska

Agenda

Presentations

Safety Plan Introduction
Safety Plan Part 3: SOC Introduction
Safety Plan Part 3: SOC Research Vessel Operations

2017 Recap/2018 Proposed NOAA Surveys

Adams 2015 Arctic AIS

West Coast Harbor Summitt_Poe

Ashjian 2018

BOEM 2018

FRN PRWG November 2017

Hopcroft ASGARD

IARPC PRWG

Juranek

ONR

PARS Brief

Sikuliaq Field Plan_ Ashjian

Sikuliaq Field Plan_Danielson

Sikuliaq Field Plan_MacKinnon

UAF SKQ

USCG_Arctic Shield Community Outreach

USCG_Arctic Shield Fact Sheet

USCG_eNGO Brief

meeting Briefings

The Arctic Vessel Tracking App provides free access to information on commercial vessel activity for Alaska’s Arctic maritime subsistence hunters. This service was requested by marine mammal co-management representatives including the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, Alaska Beluga Whale Committee, Eskimo Walrus Commission, Ice Seal Committee, and Nanuuq Commission. It is intended for use by subsistence vessel captains, as approved by the Arctic Waterways Safety Committee.

The App shows local vessel activity, types of vessels, and details of individual vessels near a hunter’s community. Hunters can set notifications for when vessels approach or depart a community. Data on specific vessels can provide information for hunters for understanding what nearby vessels are doing, and for reporting if conflicts or concerns arise. The App is limited to the ground-based AIS range (similar to VHF) ~20 to 40 miles depending on conditions and coastal terrain.

This version of the App is first generation and intended to be improved over time based on user’s feedback. Please provide your feedback on what works and doesn’t work by contacting the Vessel Traffic App’s administrator at VTA_admin@arcticwaterways.org, or via your comanagement representatives at AWSC meetings.

The AWSC has developed the following map identifying the area of responsibility for the Committee.