Keeping a Watchful Eye
In 2014, Forbes Associate Director for Maritime Services at Control Risks stated that maritime risks are on the rise. Mariners and ship owner/operators experienced a 26% spike in maritime piracy and armed robbery since 2014 and the North Sea Oil Industry admitted that it had been targeted and thwarted cyber attacks, attacks that if successful could have caused untold financial and logistical damage. • Within the last decade, plans to attack a cruise ship in a major U.S. port were revealed. Maritime surveillance systems play a key role monitoring sea lanes and ports while supporting worldwide maritime safety and security. The ability to operate effectively and securely in any environment (air, land or sea) depends on an acute awareness and understanding of the surrounding elements.
Damen Introduces New OPV Design
On April 20, Damen gave a sneak preview of its newly designed second generation offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) during the annual OPVs & Corvettes Asia Pacific conference in Singapore. Damen’s Design & Proposal Manager Piet van Rooij explained how this new OPV has been configured for various missions. According to the designer, this new generation of reconfigurable Damen OPVs is highly efficient and incredibly versatile. Damen’s Sea Axe hull shape is used for these second generation OPVs for improved seakeeping and low heave accelerations.