♠ Posted by Emmanuel in Security
at 3/19/2007 10:23:00 PM
Avast, ye scurvy dogs! While reviewing the current trends in maritime piracy (incidences are going down after a spike earlier in the decade), I came across a fascinating set of technologies that are being deployed to combat it. As pirates have increased their capabilities by using fast boats and advanced armaments, those on the defense have upped the ante in terms of technological sophistication as well. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB), which monitors piracy incidences, endorses three applications. According to its blurb:
The Inventus UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) is a state-of-the-art reconnaissance system packaged in a highly efficient, highly stable flying wing form. Outfitted with cameras, the Inventus flies and covers a large ocean area and relays a real-time data link back to the ground station. This link provides real-time aerial surveillance and early warning of suspect or unauthorised craft movements to the coastal or law enforcement authority. Developed by Lew Aerospace, the Inventus is fully autonomous and can be launched and recovered even from a seagoing or patrol vessel. There are gas and electric formats and both fly in all weather conditions.
Secure-Ship is the most recent and effective innovation in the fight against piracy. It is a non-lethal, electrifying fence surrounding the whole ship, which has been specially adapted for maritime use. The fence uses 9,000-volt pulse to deter boarding attempts. An intruder coming in contact with the fence will receive an unpleasant non-lethal shock that will result in the intruder abandoning the attempted boarding. At the same time an alarm will go off, activating floodlights and a very loud siren.The IMB endorses ShipLoc, an inexpensive satellite tracking system, which allows shipping companies, armed only with a personal computer with Internet access, to monitor the exact location of their vessels. In addition to its anti-hijacking role, ShipLoc facilitates independent and precise location of ships at regular intervals...
The ship security alert system regulation that will be put into place as of July 2004, requires ships of over 500 GT to be equipped with an alarm system in order to reinforce ship security. The system allows the crew, in case of danger, to activate an alarm button that automatically sends a message to the ship owner and to competent authorities. The message is sent without being able to be detected by someone on-board or by other ships in the vicinity. ShipLoc is contained in a small, discrete waterproof unit, which includes: an Argos transmitter, a GPS receiver, a battery pack in case of main power failure, and a flat antenna.
Together with increased patrolling, these technologies have reduced incidences of piracy as of late. However, pirates may up the ante once again by figuring out workarounds to these technologies or more ingenious ways of hijacking vessels. Vigilance and naval security go hand in hand.
