This paper describes the assembly of an updated quasi-global dataset of higher-frequency sea level information obtained from tide gauges operated by many agencies around the world. We believe that the construction of such a dataset is fundamental to scientific research in sea level variability and also to practical aspects of coastal engineering. A first version of the dataset was used in approximately a dozen published studies, and this second version is about twice the size, containing longer and more geographically representative sea level records. The dataset has acquired a digital object identifier and may be obtained from several sources. The paper mentions some of the merits of and deficiencies with the present version and takes a forward look at how the dataset may be updated in the future.