Citation

McDonald L, O'Sullivan R. Sea tech 2004; 45(3): 27-30.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Compass Publications, Inc.)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We in America generally take the free movement of goods into and out of ports as routine, until a strike or security event limits port operation. A one-day delay at busy ports like Los Angeles, Long Beach and Seattle may represent millions of dollars of lost revenue. Even worse is the threat of importing a dirty bomb or a weapon of mass destruction (WMD). Security systems must be implemented in order to counter highly sophisticated threats. Currently, our commercial and military ports are increasing security levels. But are the systems up to the task? Threats range from low-tech suicide bombers to sophisticated terrorists, and include the introduction of a WMD in a shipping container into a port area. A wide variety of integrated, disparate sensors are necessary to generate a high level of situational awareness in and around the port, while facilitating, rather than hampering, the flow of commerce.