Title: CALYPSO South
Start date: 21 March 2018
End date: 31 August 2020
Coordinator: Prof. Aldo Drago
CALYPSO SOUTH, an INTERREG Italia-Malta project, follows the trail of the previous CALYPSO and CALYPSO FOLLOW ON initiatives, by proposing an extended HF radar system covering the stretch of sea south west to the Maltese Islands, and with companion installations on the side of Linosa and Lampedusa islands. The main effort will be dedicated to support search and rescue operations by the Armed Forces of Malta and the Italian Coastguard in an area that has been in recent years a hot spot for the massive exodus of migrants and refugees attempting to make their way into European waters, often with tragic consequences.
The project is also expected to aid port operations through the installation of automated wind monitoring stations and higher resolution HF radar data acquisition in the proximity of key harbours.
In essence the project is dedicated to making marine transportation safer and to protect human lives at sea. It is a commitment to put technological advancement and scientific endeavour at the service of humanitarian responses and reducing risks in sea faring.