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.