The Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council (CIRCAC) contracted Nuka Research to produce a characterization report of vessel activity in Cook Inlet for 2011-2020. Using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, this report identified the movements of various vessel types and sizes frequenting Cook Inlet, along with changes in vessel traffic density and estimated oil spill exposure in the Inlet over the last decade. Over the 10-year study period, transmittals from the AIS software identified 818 vessels in the Inlet, but no significant trends were identified based on changes in traffic.
This project builds off a 2012 characterization study for the Cook Inlet Risk Assessment. This analysis gives the Council a reference tool to facilitate discussions on risks and preventative measures that may be taken surrounding vessel traffic in the area.