Harbor Security News

Not every vessel in the U.S. Navy is built for major combat operations on the high seas. There are large numbers of boats and service craft that provide essential services to the sea services, the nation and its partners.The U.S. Navy procures about 100 small boats per year. Some of these boats are based on commercial designs, procured to a Navy developed specification that tailors the requirements to the end user needs. They are procured and managed by two Naval Sea Systems Command program offices—PMS 300 and PMS 325.Compared to warships and auxiliaries…

When most people discuss energy sources such as fossil fuel and green energy, it is from an “either-or” perspective. Some favor the former while others advocate for the latter. However, what is often lost in the arguments on both sides is that regardless of the type of energy being extracted or generated, those platforms that are offshore, especially oil rigs, oil and gas pipelines, and wind farms, are incredibly vulnerable to anyone who wants to attack these sources in wartime…

Saildrone announced a new, mid-size class of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). The 33-foot (10 m) Voyager is specifically designed for near-shore ocean and lakebed mapping, and to meet the challenges of IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing), ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), law enforcement and maritime safety, drug interdiction, and border and harbor security.Saildrone’s three USV models—the Voyager along with the 23-foot (7 m) Explorer and 65-foot (20 m) Surveyor—have been developed to balance mission payload flexibility and endurance. The Voyager’s larger size, compared to the Explorer, allows for a more persistent datalink, increased power available for ocean mapping and ISR payloads, and versatile payload integration options.

Videos of U.S. military personnel stopping drug-smuggling boats are exhilarating and frightening. They are not Hollywood movies but real-life, dangerous encounters on the high seas. In each of those instances, the use of force applies. The High Power Microwave (HPM) Weapon Systems Division at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) makes those encounters safer for everyone involved.“A significant portion of what we do focuses on vessel stopping,” said Kevin Cogley, HPM Weapon Systems Division head.

The Navy is known for its big ships. It has a lot of smaller boats and craft, too—3,200 of them.The three primary stakeholders for these craft are the Surface Fleet, Commander Navy Installations Command and Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. Other stakeholders include Submarine Forces; Air Forces (which own the aircraft carriers); Naval Special Warfare; the Coast Guard; Naval Facilities Command and the Naval Warfare Centers.Boats and craft are procured and managed by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Program Executive Office for Ships (PEO Ships)…

General Dynamics Mission Systems featured the Bluefin Robotics hovering-autonomous underwater vehicle (H-AUV) at OCEANS 2016 in Monterey, California. The Bluefin Robotics H-AUV locates, identifies and maps structural issues on a ship’s hull including large ocean going cargo ships, petroleum and chemical tankers, cruise ships and military surface and sub-surface vessels without dry-docking the ship. “Inspecting ship hulls and other underwater surfaces can be a manpower- and cost-intensive part of a ship’s observation and maintenance,” said Matt Graziano, director of Autonomous Undersea Systems for General Dynamics Mission Systems. The Bluefin Robotics H-AUV operates autonomously and navigates along a hull, bridges or piers.

A Coast Guard boatcrew was hit by a green laser light while underway near the Squalicum Harbor area of Bellingham, Wednesday night, ending a valuable training opportunity due to medical concerns. The crew aboard a 45-foot Response Boat - Medium, from Coast Guard Station Bellingham, had to return to base and a backup boatcrew had to be called to stand the remainder of the watch. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound were notified of the incident by the affected boatcrew at 8:30 p.m. The incident cancelled the scheduled routine operations with a helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles. "Boat and helicopter operators can be temporarily blinded by green laser lights during night operations," said Cmdr. Brian Meier, Sector Puget Sound Response Department head.

Puerto Rico, centrally located at the crossroads of the Caribbean, is the location of Maritime Security 2015 Caribbean currently underway in the busy port city of San Juan. The keynote addresses were delivered by Ingrid Colberg-Rodriguez, executive director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, and Capt. Michael Zamperini, deputy commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan. Attendees included representatives from federal agencies, including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Agency, FBI, FEMA, Drug Enforcement Agency, and the National Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Leaders in the shipping community will gather from across the country to discuss the emerging challenges facing the shipping industry. Speakers will include Joseph Hughes, Chairman & CEO, The American Club, Emilian Papadopoulos, Chief of Staff, Good Harbor Security Risk Management, Nathalie Sykora, Vice President Global Technical Services at The CSL Group, to name a few. For full details visit www.wista2015agm.com or contact conference coordinators at wista2015agm@gmail.com with any questions.

Maritime safety products and systems can entail everything from a sophisticated integrated bridge system down to cleaning products for the galley. Here are a few recent introductions that appear particularly topical in the never-ending push for safer ships and crews. Under normal circumstances it would be hard to imagine a a mariner or rig worker who would want to be in the freefall lifeboat to the left, but in an emergency that blaze orange tube is likely the most beautiful ride at sea.

Kelvin Hughes is displaying its new combined camera and radar Single Mast Solution (SMS) at SMM 2014 in Hamburg from September 9-12. The company is also demonstrating the associated CxEye display software which provides intuitive command and control for the system. Responding to the market need for a rapidly deployable, all-weather, port and harbor security radar and multi-optioned electro-optical system, Kelvin Hughes has utilized its SharpEye X-band solid state surveillance radar technology to develop the Single Mast Solution.

The Mariner Group announced it has been recognized again by Government Security News (GSN) as the Most Notable Seaport Security Solution in this year’s Airport, Seaport, & Border Security Awards Program. The awards program covers security initiatives completed within the past 12 months in categories ranging from Access Control to Underwater Surveillance and Integrated Security Programs. The GSN Awards acknowledge exceptional programs and technologies for security at airports, seaports and borders. Mariner’s submission described how CommandBridge—their situation awareness platform — challenges traditional security methods by emphasizing the importance of context. This contradicts the common misconception that simply adding extra sensors results in increased awareness.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will be participating in this year's military systems exhibition in India - Defexpo 2014 - Land, Naval & Internal Homeland Security says company CEO & President Joseph Weiss. In the field of Homeland Security (HLS) and protection of maritime economic exclusion zones (EEZ), IAI says it will be presenting an unmanned surface vessel (USV), which supports a wide range of applications for HLS and EEZ protection, including harbor security, patrol of coastal and territorial waters…

Robert Allan Ltd. announced that it was selected to be the Owner’s Naval Architect for the design and construction of two new fireboats for the Port of Long Beach. Custom designed for service in the U.S. port, the fireboats will be operated by the Long Beach Fire Department and will be amongst the largest fireboats in North America. Robert Allan Ltd.’s design work began in 2011, with a series of kick-off meetings with the Port of Long Beach and the Long Beach Fire Department to establish the Statement of Requirements for the new vessels.

The Department of Defense announce, amongst others, Navy contracts for Gravois Aluminum Boats, and Marine Hydraulics International. Gravois Aluminum Boats LLC, Jeanerette, La., is being awarded a $9,634,577 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the construction of command force protection medium harbor security boats, technical data and spare parts. The harbor security boats provide anti-terrorism/force protection patrols for U.S. Navy installations, which include patrol, interrogation of other waterborne assets and escorting large vessels in and out of harbors in various weather and water conditions, throughout the year, day and night.

U.S. Naval War College (NWC) students participate in a presentation & discussion of unmanned robotic systems with ReconRobotics, Inc. & Hydroid, Inc. This event was part of the "Unmanned Systems and Conflict in the 21st Century" course at NWC, serving as an opportunity for future decision makers to gain exposure and expand their knowledge of unmanned technologies. "It's important to be aware of advancements we're making now because they will change the strategic and operational environment of which our warfighters will be engaged in…

Patrol And Combat Builders Fret About Budget Cuts But See Bright Spots. So far; so good. U.S. companies building patrol and combat craft aren’t happy about federal, state and city budget cuts but say they do see positive, demand-side factors. Much of their overseas business depends on the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. The FMS, which transfers defense equipment and services to other nations, is retrenching now, however. Here at home, states and municipalities have fewer funds, grants and matching grants to pay for patrol vessels, builders say.

Three U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 10 were injured in a training accident when their 34-foot patrol boat ran aground near Charleston Harbor April 13. 

 The injured Sailors were transiting the boat into the Charleston Harbor as part of routine training when the incident occurred at 9:41 p.m. 

 The Sailors were transported to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) where they are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation. CRS 10 is a Navy Reserve unit based in Jacksonville, Fla. Coastal Riverine Force Sailors conduct port and harbor security, high value asset protection, offensive combat operations and maritime security operations in rivers, harbors and coastal waterways. www.navy.mil

The German Navy contract Hydroid, Inc. – a Kongsberg Company – to supply 6 REMUS 100 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV). After extensive trials by the German Bundeswehr Technical Center for Ships and Naval Weapons (WTD 71) in Eckernfoerde, the Federal Office of Defence Technology & Procurement (BWB) in Koblenz has placed the contract  to enhance the capabilities of the German Navy's mine divers. Delivery of the REMUS 100 systems and operational training of military personnel will occur during the next 12 months.

To expand its base of subsidiaries Northstar Electronics, Inc., a holding company with executive management specialized in design engineering, defense, advanced systems, security, sonar, systems integration, and prototyping fields informs of a letter of intent to purchase Echotec Sonar Corp, a cutting edgei manufacturer of High Definition Omni Sonar (HDOS) specifically targeted for the defense, scientific, commercial shipping and commercial fisheries markets. Echotec Sonar designs…

SAFE Boats International (SAFE) recently began the delivery of a fleet of thirty-seven (37) 33-foot harbor security boats to the U.S. Navy as the new generation of the Force Protection-Medium (FP-M)  patrol craft. Based on the SAFE 330X Defender model, the FP-M is capable of speeds of up to 33+ knots, features state-of-the-art electronics such as thermal imaging, encrypted communications equipment, dual outboard engines, a unique hull design as well as SAFE’s  patented 100% foam collar system. The mission of the Force Protection-Medium patrol craft is to provide U.S. Navy installation security forces a waterborne platform to deter…

Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio Delivers Completed Work Boat for Port of Milwaukee. Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, OH, completed construction of a 60-foot work boat for the Port of Milwaukee. The vessel sailed from Cleveland and was delivered to the port on Tuesday, January 11, 2012. Great Lakes Shipyard was awarded the contract by the city in June 2011. The vessel was designed by Jensen Maritime Consultants, Seattle, WA, to include general harbor work, icebreaking, salvage, and dive operation capabilities.

Kings Bay Support Services, L.L.C., Baton Rouge, La., is being awarded a $35,188,366 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for base operations support services at Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay. The work to be performed provides for base operations support services including public safety, harbor security, security operations, supply, personnel support, facilities support, facility management/facility investment, other (swimming pools), pavement clearance, utilities, chiller, electrical, wastewater, steam, water, telecommunications, compressed air, base support vehicles and equipment, and environmental. Services also include vertical transportation equipment located at Shellman Bluff, Ga.