Alaska Project

Rescue 21 Alaska, the Coast Guard's enhanced communications system for the Seventeenth District, will bring expanded VHF-FM marine coverage and clearer communications to 'The Great Land.'

The Coast Guard is deploying a modified Rescue 21 system design in the state of Alaska, which will result in a more cost effective and realistic solution for the state's unique coastal operating environment. The Coast Guard identified over 50 critical sites in Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak Island, Shelikof Straight, Bristol Bay, Alaska Peninsula, the Aleutian Chain and Nome at which expanded VHF-FM and UHF communications coverage will be installed. All work in Alaska is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017. The suite of Rescue 21 technologies being deployed in Alaska are heavily influenced by supportability, weather, environment, habitability, terrain, power and bandwidth issues unique to the state. The most notable difference between Rescue 21 Alaska and the system being deployed outside the state will be in direction finding (DF) capabilities. Due to technical feasibility, it is expected that very limited DF service will be implemented.

Rescue 21 Alaska will enable the Coast Guard to continuously monitor Digital Selective Calling (DSC), VHF-Channel 70. By using a VHF-marine band radio equipped with DSC that has been properly registered with a Mobile Maritime Security Identity (MMSI) number and interfaced with GPS the mariner can transmit a distress call with vital vessel information and position with the push of a single button. More information on DSC can be found at www.uscg.mil/rescue21/benefits.asp.

When completed, this vital major systems acquisition will provide leading-edge VHF-FM and UHF communications replacing the legacy National Distress and Response System that has been in use since the 1970s. By replacing outdated legacy technology with a fully integrated system, Rescue 21 Alaska will provide the Coast Guard with an upgraded tool and technology suite with which to better protect the state’s coastline and inland waterways.

Capabilities:

• Enhances clarity of distress calls
• Allows simultaneous channel monitoring
• Provides more supportable, modern technology

Timeline

• January 2007: Coast Guard assumed role of system integrator in Alaska.
• August 2007: Project Resident Office commissioned in Juneau, Alaska.
• July 2008: Alaska implementation coveragerequirements and site functionality were approved by District 17, Rescue 21 Project Manager and Rescue 21 Project Sponsor.

Resources

Alaska Fact Sheet (pdf)

Alaska FAQs