Systems Engineering Aspects of the Proposed Channel Navigation Information Service

Abstract

This paper, by the head and the deputy head of the Civil Marine Navigational Aids Division of the Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment, deals with certain problems relating to the proposed Channel Navigation Information Service, including radar coverage, the transmission of information, computer assistance and information display. The paper was read at a meeting of the Institute held in London on 30 January 1974 with the President in the Chair.Much of the background to marine traffic problems in the Dover Strait has already been discussed in previous issues of this Journal. It was decided in 1971 that some radar surveillance of the area would be appropriate. The first steps were taken when a radar trial was conducted by A.S.W.E. in the St. Margaret's Bay area near Dover in 1971. As a result of these trials the Coastguard station at St. Margaret's was fitted with a standard marine radar as an interim solution.