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RADARS UP AND RUNNING
Contributor / 2009-04-24 11:47:37
The new SIVE radars, which were announced in 2007, will all be up and running in the regions of Alicante and Murcia by the end of June this year.
This new system is designed to spot immigrants approaching the Spanish mainland in rafts and small boats. The system was planned after a huge influx of immigrants from Africa began arriving at Murcian and Alicante shores, in makeshift vessels, which they abandoned upon arrival. Rafael González Tovar, a delegate from the Murcian government has said, “This system will not solve the problem of immigration, but it will be a tool we can use to stop the terrible trade of people trafficking, in which thousands of innocent victims die each year.'
The system composes of three towers, one of which has just been erected in Cabo Roig, (see photo), two mobile towers, nocturnal vision cameras, thermal imaging cameras which are already functioning and can detect movement up to 30 miles away at sea. The total cost of the whole operation is 7.1 million euros.
Tovar reminded all sea goers that the sea norms oblige all ships and boats which spot another in distress to inform the authorities immediately to enable a rescue. Sea Rescue services have four boats, two search planes and four helicopters at their disposal, as well as a tug boat, a speed boat and other vessels situated along the coast, and translators, doctors and ambulances.
Tags: Cabo Roig, Speed, Traffic
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