NAV 44/3/2
ANNEX1
7.2 Radar Facilities
Three surveillance radars
cover the CNIS area and the area of the mandatory
ship-reporting system. These are TERMA Dual X Band systems,
each comprising main and back-up transceivers (type 232075)
and a single antenna. The radars are located at:
● Margate - The antenna is 118 metres
above mean ordnance datum and covers the area from the
southern area of the North Sea to Dover;
● Dover - The antenna is 125 metres
above mean ordnance datum and covers the area from North
Foreland to Hastings; and,
● Fairlight - The antenna is 126
metres above mean ordnance datum and covers the area from
Dover to the western boundary of the CNIS area.
Data from the Margate and
Fairlight radars are transmitted to DOVER COASTGUARD via
microwave links. The radars have a minimum operational range
of 75 nautical miles, although the operational range of each
radar is limited by radar video units to 35 nautical miles to
prevent the track table from filling up with vessels which
are not entering the CNIS area.
7.3 VHF DF Facilities
CNIS automatically displays
vectors generated from the DF systems at Dover, Fairlight,
North Foreland. St. Frieux and Cap Gris Nez. All of the DF
systems may be set to one of a number of the VHF channels
used in the area. In parallel, Channel 16 receivers monitor
the distress channel, should a distress call be sent.
7.4 Radiocommunications Facilities
Radiocommunications terminals
are sited in the consoles of the MRCC DOVER Operations Room.
VHF radio receivers are located at Dover, while their
associated transmitters are at West Hougham (near Folkestone)
to gain optimum coverage of 13 VHF channels. MF is also
fitted at Dover. Other VHF Transmitters are fitted at
Fairlight and North Foreland radio sites and are controlled
via landlines. The VHF channels used are:
● VHF Air (AM) on 132.65mhz
● Ch O (SAR);
● Ch 6 (inter ship / scene of search
for SAR);
● Ch 9 (pilotage) - receive only;
● Ch 10 (counter pollution);
● Ch 1 1 (port operations)
● Ch 12 (Thames port control) - receive
only;
● Ch 13 (inter ship and port
operations);
● Ch 14 (Thames port control) -receive
only;
● Ch 16 (international distress) -
continuously monitored;
● Ch 30 (special operations);
● Ch 67 (small ship safety) - secondary
SAR;
● Ch 69 (inter ship, port operations
and CNIS) - continuously monitored;
● Ch 73 (Ch O back up);
● Ch 74 (Dover port control);
● Ch 80 (marinas);
● Ch 99 (Coastguard private channel).
7.5 VHF DSC Facilities
A VHF Ch 70 digital calling
system has been installed as part of the GMDSS requirement.
Its purpose is to provide rapid distress alerting between
vessels and the shore, routine calling of vessels and AIS
facilities. DSC communications are available to all operator
positions at DOVER COASTGUARD. DSC takes priority over all
other operations.
7.6 AIS Facilities
DOVER COASTGUARD can
interrogate ships fitted with VHF DSC transponders to gain
information on their identity and position. This information
is displayed as an icon on an electronic charting package
covering the CNIS area.
GRIS NEZ TRAFFIC
Similar facilities to those at
DOVER COASTGUARD are also available at GRIS NEZ TRAFFIC. The
two centres act in partnership in the operation of the CNIS.
GRIS NEZ TRAFFIC specifically has the following facilities.
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