|
With all of
the security threats in recent years, one area that is still
under-protected is the security of our waterways and harbours. Shark
Marine Technologies Inc. has recently released a Harbour Security
Command and Control Software, called “Harbour Watch”. The Harbour Watch
software pulls together data from multiple sensors and presents a
complete and current view of traffic in the area. Targets above and
below the surface, are tracked and information about movement in
critical areas is organized and displayed so you can immediately respond
with the appropriate action. Following is a scenario that demonstrates
how Harbour Watch works to protect your assets.
It is an average day in the harbour. Vessels are staying out of the
secure regions of the harbour. Suddenly your Harbour Watch system shows
an unidentified sonar target that’s origin coincides with the path of a
fleeing vessel. Your system is sent into high alert as the target enters
a restricted area.
Your immediate response is to
alert the authorities of the situation and to dispatch a vessel to
intercept the now departing vessel. You are able to inform the
authorities of the direct path which the vessel in question is heading
and where it originated. While the authorities are in pursuit of the
vessel, you turn your attention to the unidentified sonar target.
Assuming the target is a diver, using a parametric sonar system, they
are given a warning, through an underwater hailing system, that they
have entered a restricted area and to surface immediately. When the
target does not surface, you immediately dispatch a vessel equipped with
real-time imaging sonar to the area.
Back to the surface vessel. Since you are able to track both the vessel
in question and the response vessel, you can relate comparative
locations. Even as the unidentified vessel moves amongst other vessels
in the harbour, the system will always show its direct path, which
enables the authorities to confirm that it is the vessel that the target
emerged from. The response vessel is then able to intercept and
apprehend the vessel in question.
From the vessel, with real-time imaging sonar, you are able to get a
clear detailed image of the target. You see that it is in fact a diver
that is carrying a package. You send a final hale to the diver to
surface immediately or a deterrent will be used. Once again, there is no
response. You then make the decision to apply a non-lethal deterrent
which drives the diver to the surface where he is apprehended.
This scenario could be happening in your harbour right now. How will you
know when it does? Perhaps you think it unlikely that terrorists would
attack a harbour from underwater. It has been reported that
 terrorist
groups have been trained in scuba diving from as early as 2001, and as
the surface security is enhanced, underwater becomes the preferred
method of attack. Simply put, if you don’t have an eye on your harbour,
who does?
Harbour Watch integrates with many types of sonar and other sensing
systems, it can even work with your existing systems. A system that is
perfectly suited to the security of your harbour will be implemented so
that you have the best possible knowledge and ability to protect your
assets. A preview of Harbour Watch can be viewed at www.sharkmarine.com.
For further
information, contact Shark Marine Technologies at 905-687-6672 or
harbourwatch@sharkmarine.com. |
