Malta to have coastal surveillance system

A modern and powerful coastal surveillance system is to be installed around Malta by November to boost shipping and border control.

The system could serve as a major tool against illegal immigration.

The Malta Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) represents one of Malta's largest ever financial investments in marine coastal surveillance.

Complex equipment is to be located in Gozo, Madliena, Dingli and Marsaxlokk. There will be a minimum of four high performance coastal surveillance radars, four radio direction finders, a base station network and a central control room at the Armed Forces' operations centre, among other equipment.

It will also include Safeseanet, a European platform for maritime data exchange between member states' maritime authorities - a network/Internet solution based on the concept of a distributed database.

Three quarters of the W2.9 million investment was financed by the European Regional Development Fund, with the rest coming from the Malta Maritime Authority's coffers. The project is a major forward step accelerating implementation of the Trans-European transport network infrastructure, which is one of the EU's objectives for developing competitiveness and growth in Europe.

The equipment will assist the MMA to regulate and control navigation and provide a tool to enhance the management of shipping and the safety of navigation for port users.

Furthermore the system has also been designed to support the AFM in its search and rescue operations and border monitoring/control. Other system requirements are to support the assessment of risks, to improve the decision-making process regarding safety of navigation, the protection of the marine environment, and port/border security.

With scores of illegal immigrants' boats pouring into Malta, especially during the warmer months, the equipment could give a helping hand to the authorities, though small seacraft can still effectively slip through the net.

MMA project leader Chris Farrugia said Malta was getting the best product with the budget available.

The equipment was purchased from Transas, an internationally recognised developer and supplier of marine and airborne onboard equipment.