What We Do
At the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound, we are dedicated to strengthening the maritime transportation community through innovative services, advocacy, and support. Since our founding in 1980, we have evolved to meet the needs of our members, providing critical tools and resources to ensure safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible maritime operations.
Explore the sections below to learn more about how we serve the maritime community.
Vessel monitoring & Operations
Our vessel tracking service is the backbone of our organization, monitoring over 7,000 vessel movements annually. Using our Automated Identification System (AIS) network, we collect real-time data on 64 different fields every six seconds, tracking vessels from arrival to departure, port-to-port movements, and more.
AIS Data Collection: We maintain seven AIS data towers strategically positioned across Washington, providing comprehensive coverage of the Salish Sea (from just north of Vancouver, BC) to the Columbia River and extending offshore along the Washington Coast.
Real-Time Monitoring: Members can access live vessel tracking data through our online AIS viewer, SiiTech, featuring fleet management, geofencing, path tracking, and more. A lobby viewer for office displays is also available.
Interactive Dashboard: Updated monthly, our dashboard provides quick, easy visualizations and historical data that can be customized and downloaded for industry insights.
Operations Center: Operating 24/7, our center is always manned, monitoring operations, solving issues, connecting people on the water, and assisting members at any time of day.
Reporting: Whether you need daily updates, monthly summaries, or customized data sets, our reports provide the insights needed to optimize maritime operations.
Advocacy
We are proud to represent the maritime community on local, regional, and national levels. Our advocacy efforts include strategy development, committee participation, legislative engagement, and member communications, all designed to support the maritime industry and ensure our members’ voices are heard.
Committee Participation: Our Executive Director actively serves on key committees and councils to participate in and support the maritime community and our members, including:
- Washington Maritime Federation (Treasurer & Secretary)
- Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee (Chair)
- Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (Maritime Industry Representative)
- Green Marine West Coast Advisory Council member
- National Association of Maritime Organizations (Member)
- The Marine Exchange of Puget Sound is also a founding member of the Maritime Information Services of North America (MISNA), helping represent North America’s diverse maritime community through valuable maritime information.
Legislative Engagement in Olympia: We have a dedicated lobbyist working to advance legislation that promotes pro-maritime policies, safety initiatives, and sustainable practices that ensure the maritime industry remains a vital part of Washington’s economy. This work makes the voices and issues of our members, and the broader industry, heard.
Member Communications: We provide timely maritime updates and insights to members and the broader community through our podcast, social media channels, and newsletter. These platforms share industry developments, important news, job opportunities, and highlights of our ongoing work, keeping everyone informed and connected.
Support
We provide a wide range of support services and association management to help maritime organizations operate efficiently and effectively. Our support services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each organization we work with. Whether you need administrative assistance or after-hours support, we’re here to help.
View some of the organizations we support below.
Administrative Services: From invoicing and accounting to meeting coordination and membership list maintenance, we handle the day-to-day tasks so you can focus on your core operations.
Phone Answering Services: Our team delivers professional 24/7 phone answering services, ensuring your organization never misses a call. Whether you need after-hours support or full-time assistance, we’re here to provide reliable communication for your business.
Emergency Response Towing Vessel (ERTV): We manage the contract for the ERTV stationed year-round in Neah Bay, ensuring rapid response to disabled or distressed vessels to protect our shorelines and waterways.
Buoy Management: On behalf of BUOYS-R-US, we manage the West Seattle mooring buoys, handling reservations, maintenance, and billing for the tug and barge industry.
