FAQs

▸What is Arctic Watch?

Arctic Watch is an initiative that establishes a sea traffic management system in the Bering Strait region to make marine shipping safer for vessels, coastal communities, and wildlife.  Arctic Watch collaborates with communities and regional and maritime experts to shape the project. Though the program is voluntary for vessels, similar systems have been well received and effective elsewhere.

▸What does Arctic Watch do?

• Collect and disseminate real-time environmental data.
• Install instruments to monitor weather and sea conditions and share the  data with coastal communities and vessel operators.
• Install instruments in certain on-shore locations that would be beneficial to communities.
• Communicate directly with vessel operators through email, satellite phone, and automated messages from navigation instruments.
• As a vessel approaches an Area to Be Avoided, i.e. St. Lawrence Island, the Arctic Watch will contact the vessel and recommend the vessel operator course to avoid the area. 
• If a vessel being monitored by Arctic Watch operates in a way that it appears it needs assistance, the watch will contact the vessel operator, determine if assistance is needed, and contact the Coast Guard and vessels to provide help if needed.
• Serve as a communication conduit between vessel operators and coastal communities.
  
• Arctic Watch collaborates with regional observers to provide input for safe and environmentally sound maritime operations.

▸Why is an Arctic Watch Operations Center needed?

Vessel transits through the Bering Strait have doubled in the past decade. As the ice-free season lengthens, more ships pass through the waterway. Traffic is expected to continue increasing through this economically and geopolitically strategic strait. A sea traffic management system, developed in collaboration with communities, would help ensure safe passage and protect the health and wellbeing of the region’s people, wildlife, and food security.

▸What is sea traffic management?

Think of it like a crossing guard for the Bering Strait who is observing traffic and directing vessels on the safest and most efficient routes to keep vessels, communities, and wildlife safe.

▸Why would vessels subscribe to a voluntary program? 

To  access best practices for operating in the Arctic, and obtain environmental, and navigational information.  Vessel operators do not want to have a collision with indigenous hunting parties or whales, nor do they want to disturb a walrus haulout area.