This month, we continue our series on "Communications in the Maritime Environment" with a tour of the Vancouver Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centre located at 555 West Hastings, Vancouver.

Operated by the Canadian Coast Guard, the Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centre provides marine safety communications co-ordination; vessel traffic services and waterway management, broadcast weather and safety information; sail plan services, and support for other government and marine agencies. In the Pacific Region, MCTS centres are located at Vancouver, Victoria, Prince Rupert, Comox and Tofino.  The Regional Marine Information Centre (RMIC) is co-located with Vancouver MCTS.  RMIC disseminates marine information to the public and other marine agencies and administers the Notices to Shipping function in the Pacific Region.

On the evening of Mon, 6 Feb 2006, Vancouver MCTS will host three thirty-minute tours of eight people each starting at 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30 pm.  Each group will meet at the commissionaire's station in the lobby before proceeding up to the top floor of the building.  Pre-registration is required.  IEEE members will be given strong preference.