All the stations will be connected via high frequency microwave links to two VTS sub-centres. The main surveillance centre is to be located at the new Coast Guard base at Fintas and will be the largest and most advanced of its type in the Gulf area. An additional three radar sites and a further sub-centre are also planned at a later stage. Both the main control centre and the sub-centres as well as selective radar sites will also be equipped with new generation Atlas 9760 PC based workstations featuring extended video presentation capabilities while operators will be supported by an Atlas 9800 management and information system (MIS).

Facilities at the control base, which are to include network and infrastructure management workstations, will be supplemented by installation of a custom designed VTS simulator consisting of an instructor station and three trainee workstations.

The contract is the second to have been recently obtained by STN Atlas Elektronik in Kuwait following installation of a new VTS system at the Mina Al Ahmadi oil refinery as part of an integrated ship approach assembly being developed in co-operation with Marimatech of Denmark.

MJ Information No: 18384