Alaska Regional News

August 2004

August brought another all time monthly record high of 4,024 BBXX observations. This is the first time the Alaska monthly count has ever gone above 4,000. Alaska VOS ships are continuing their record pace for transmitting BBXX observations with 22,335 during the first 8 months of 2004 which is at a pace that is 49.1% higher compared to the first 8 months of our previous record year of 2003. The Tug Seneca was the August Alaska Ship of the Month with an all time Alaska monthly record of 489 BBXX transmitted. This marks the first time an Alaska VOS Ship has ever gone above the 300 or 400 mark in a single month. The Tug Pacific Challenger was dueling with the Seneca for much of the month for the BBXX Lead until their computer failed. They finished August with an outstanding total of 369 BBXX. The Polar Eagle remains in 1st place for 2004 with 1,444 BBXX which is 67% more than they had at this same point last year.

Pictured here from left to right 3rd Mate Doug Voss, 2nd Mate Mike Coffey, Chief Mate Dan Lunny. The Midnight Sun set a new ship's Monthly Record for weather observations in September of 2004 with 143 BBXX. This was also the most BBXX in one month so far by any of the 10 container ships that come to Anchorage Alaska. This brought their total to 542 BBXX after the first 9 months of 2004. This photograph was taken by Anchorage Port Meteorological Officer Larry Hubble who recently traveled with the crew in the Gulf of Alaska.

September 2004

BBXX ship observations set another new all time record for the year with 26,396. The previous record was 23,823 in 2003. With 3 months left to go, Alaska is projected to get close to 35,000 BBXX in 2004. This is at pace that is 51.8% higher than 2003. Alaska VOS ships achieved a new September record of 3,589 BBXX observations in September. The Tug Pacific Challenger was the September Alaska Ship of the Month with 241 BBXX transmitted. The LNG Tanker Polar Eagle remains in 1st place for 2004 with 1,640 BBXX which is 57.5% more than they had at this same point last year. Crowley Maritime is the leading company supplying weather observations to Alaska this year so far providing 17% of Alaska's total. They have 20 Tugs that have transmitted weather observations to Alaska this year. WSO Valdez has transmitted 87 Satellite Phone ship observations so far since their phone was installed in late August.

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