Security Tool News

Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine has released a major upgrade to its VisionMaster FT bridge software. VMFT11 includes several key updates that support safety of navigation, including enhanced bridge alert management, an improved user interface and secure data exchange onboard ship and between ship and shore.A key driver behind the VMFT11 software update is to decrease the mariner’s workload in alert management, by reducing the number of high priority radar and ECDIS alerts, so that…

On February 12, 2013, President Obama issued Executive Order 13636 – Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. Citing repeated electronic intrusions into critical infrastructure, the document states that it is the policy of the United States Government to increase the volume, timeliness, and quality of cyber threat information shared with U.S. private sector entities so that these entities may better protect and defend themselves against cyber threats. It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS)…

SMARTBLUE Container for offshore asset safety launched by Raytheon Anschütz, headquartered in Germany. A containerized version of the company's SMARTBLUE surveillance system was shown in Galveston, Texas, at an on-site demonstration. The innovative container solution is a customizable and ready-to-deploy surveillance system complete with Radar, AIS and a long-range surveillance camera on a buy or rental basis for offshore asset protection. The SMARTBLUE Container Solution improves safety and security standards of offshore assets by providing early warning of collision…

The NATO Undersea Research Centre (NURC) is hosting a serious gaming event, called the Harbor Protection Table-Top Exercise (HPT2E), which aims to significantly advance interoperability and capabilities in maritime security. Sponsored by NATO’s Emerging Security Challenges Division Defense Against Terrorism program of work, the exercise, held 20-23 March at La Spezia, Italy, focuses on the protection of military forces, shipments, and critical civilian infrastructure in ports and harbors during times of high threat alert.

Keeping the Straits of Hormuz Open: New Weapons System to Counter Swarm Attacks. Juliet Marine Systems, Inc., (JMS), a privately funded company, has announced plans to select a weapons integrator for its revolutionary new product, GHOST. GHOST is a high-speed attack craft specifically designed to protect vital waterways like the Straits of Hormuz and to counter threats such as piracy, which is increasing in many areas of the world. GHOST has been compared to an attack helicopter on the water.

Mandatory carriage of automatic identification systems (AIS) throughout the country, as it is currently envisioned by the Coast Guard, will not result in increased safety or security, AWO told the agency in comments filed on December 31, 2003. The Coast Guard was soliciting comments on whether and how to expand AIS carriage requirements beyond the nine Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) zones to other waterways. While AWO has been a long-time proponent of the AIS concept as a navigational safety tool, AWO has questions about the technical aspects of AIS and its implementation, as well as the potential negative impact on safety when AIS is required for some types of vessels while not for others.

By Dennis L. The United States, like all other nations, has required from its founding that manifests of imported cargo be filed with its Customs agency. Traditionally, the manifest was filed (or "presented") when the ship arrived in port. Official entry was not completed and cargo could not be unladed until the manifest was presented. This process was drastically reworked following the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The U.S. Customs Service, since reorganized into the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), demanded that the information be provided earlier and in greater detail. On October 31, 2002, Customs…

Good morning. Thank you, Governor, for that warm introduction. I appreciate your kind words. And I want to thank everyone here today for the commitment you have shown in confronting the complex challenges we face in the war on terror. For those of you who attended this summit last year, you may remember a few technical difficulties with my speech. Failed satellite video, falling DHS seals -- let’s just say I thought I better get here in person this year. And I was glad to make the trip…

The Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, a non- profit trade association representing port businesses in the tri-state region, announced yesterday the completion of a major Maritime Domain Awareness electronic reporting program. Known as eNOA/D On-Line, the electronic Notice of Arrival/Departure system serves as a link between vessels destined for the United States and the Department of Homeland Security and provides vessel operators with a user-friendly mechanism to comply with new Customs and Border Protection regulations which went into effect Monday. In April, Customs published a rule that requires all air and ocean carriers to transmit detailed crew and passenger information electronically…

The Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay recently completed a major Maritime Domain Awareness electronic reporting program. Known as eNOA/D On-Line, the electronic Notice of Arrival/Departure system serves as a link between vessels destined for the U.S. and the Department of Homeland Security and provides vessel operators with a mechanism to comply with new Customs and Border Protection regulations which recently went into effect. In April, Customs published a rule that requires all air and ocean carriers to transmit detailed crew and passenger information electronically. In order to incorporate the new functionality into Maritime On-Line…

James Rall, of Hydroacustics Inc., of New York, explains uses for the Proteus ROV roaming ocean vehicle, used for exploration with cameras and lights. The ROV is controlled by a joystick. PROVIDENCE — Jason Cedro clicked on a computer mouse at the Rhode Island Convention Center yesterday and on the screen appeared a live, gull’s-eye view of Narragansett Bay, from a camera perched miles to the south at Beavertail State Park, in Jamestown. He clicked again to order the camera, by wireless connection, to pan the Bay, then focus more closely on a power boat motoring across the water beneath a blue sky. From the same screen, Cedro was also able to obtain a live view of the Bay’s activity from Prudence Island, another from the area around the Pell Bridge in Newport.