The VTMIS will be operated from a main control room inside the Department of Merchant Shipping headquarters in Limassol, with local control rooms to be installed in the Ports of Limassol and Larnaca.
The system will include two high performance coastal surveillance radars at these two ports, with an option for two additional radars at Fanos and Lara, as well as Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), Radio Direction Finders, Ship-Shore (VHF) Communication, and other ancillary equipment.
The Limassol Port radar will be sited on a silo inside the port, with the primary aim of providing coverage of the Limassol port area and approaches, the Moorings, Vassilikos Port and approaches, Episkopi Bay, and the marine area around Cape Dolos (Zyggi area). The Larnaca Port radar will be sited on a new 20 metre mast alongside the existing port control room, and will provide coverage of the Larnaca port area and approaches, the Moorings, and Larnaca Bay.
The Marine and Port Police, and KSED Search and Rescue Authority will be able to access the system to assist in their operations, with operator displays providing information about vessels operating in Cypriot territorial waters at distances up to 100 miles from the coast.
The completed system is scheduled to be officially handed over to the Department of Merchant Shipping early in 2008, and is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund.