a new vessel traffic system, which will monitor the coast of Portugal by radar, is expected to create a more efficient oceanic traffic and security system, and is due to be fully operational by 2008.
The planned 33 stations around Portugal will also aid air-sea rescue operations, help to decrease illegal trafficking of goods and immigration in Portuguese waters and stamp out illegal fishing along the nation’s coastline.
Seven of these stations will be located in the Algarve and a secondary maritime traffic control centre, which will act as a support centre to the main control tower in Lisbon, is currently under construction near Ferragudo, in the borough of Lagoa.
As soon as permission from Vila do Bispo, Monchique and Faro Câmaras has been obtained, three coastal radar towers will be constructed in Monte do Vale (Vila do Bispo), Fóia (Monchique) and Monte Figo (Faro). A further two radar towers will be used to monitor the commercial ports of Faro and Portimão, with one tower already located at Ilha do Farol, in Faro.
