Glossary of terms

AIS Automatic Identification System MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
CNIS Channel Navigation Information Service MCA Maritime and Coastguard Agency
COLREGS Collision Regulations MRCC Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre
DWR Deep Water Route NE North East
ETV Emergency Towing Vessel SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea
ICCS Integrated Coastguard Communications System SW South West
IMO International Maritime Organization TSS Traffic Separation Scheme
IMS Information Management System VHFDF Very High Frequency Direction Finding
ITZ Inshore Traffic Zone VTIS Vessel Traffic Information System

Notable dates

1967 TSS was introduced on a voluntary basis 1979 The voluntary ship movement reporting scheme, MAREP, for oil, chemical and gas carriers, vessels not under command, vessels restricted in their ability and vessels with a defect in navigational aids introduced.  The ESSO WARWICKSHIRE was the first vessel to report details under the scheme.  The new Operations Centre at Langdon Battery opens
1971 Limited radar surveillance of TSS from Dover Coastguard at St Margaret's Bay 1981 The passage Planning guide for the English Channel is published as an Admiralty Chart.
1972 CNIS begins.  Traffic is monitored by radar from Dover Coastguard 1983 Radar surveillance is improved by the introduction of automatic data processing.
1973 France begins radar monitoring from CROSS Gris Nez 1993 Radar surveillance is improved and extended to three radar stations feeding into a modernised automatic data processing system.
1976 Radar coverage is improved by the installation of new longer-range radar at Dover and Dungeness 1999 Mandatory Ship Reporting for all vessels over 300 gross tonnes introduced - CALDOVREP.
1977 Revised regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea come into force. Traffic Separation Scheme becomes mandatory for all vessels. 2003 New radar surveillance system installed and building refurbishment.