Near shore port security barrier

Abstract

A near shore port security barrier for protecting a vessel docked at a port facility from an incoming waterborne craft which is being used to inflict damage on the vessel. The near shore port security barrier consist of a plurality of floating barrier modules connected to one another and placed adjacent the hull of the vessel the near shore port security barrier is designed to protect. A wire mesh barrier fence, which is positioned on the outer perimeter of each floating barrier module is also provided to protect the vessel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to a security system which protects vessels docked in a port from being damage by explosive laden watercraft. More particularly, the present invention relates to an near shore port security barrier which utilizes a fixed fence structure attached to a floating barrier pontoon to protect ships docked at a port. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Ocean going vessels docked at a port, whether commercial or military, are vulnerable to by asymmetric threats, such as small watercraft laden with explosive or munitions. These threat watercraft can be pleasure boats or other commercially available watercraft which are difficult if not impossible to distinguish from other non-threatening watercraft. Because of the structure and layout of port facilities, it is not very difficult for a small hostile watercraft to pull alongside a moored vessel and then detonate explosives causi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a port security barrier that is designed to prevent damage to vessels caused by explosive attacks from watercraft. The barrier is easy to move from one vessel to another and is highly effective in deterring attacks. It consists of a wire mesh barrier fence supported by floating barrier modules that are connected in series to create a continuous barrier of varying length. The flexible fences use torsion bar spring assemblies to accommodate relative motion of the modules while keeping the fence material flush with an adjacent barrier module. The barrier is designed to transfer the imposed loads through the barrier structure and fendering to the ship or vessel or the mooring system for the barrier. It provides a minimum standoff distance to prevent catastrophic damage to critical ship systems and can be adjusted to meet specific threats.

Problems solved by technology

Ocean going vessels docked at a port, whether commercial or military, are vulnerable to by asymmetric threats, such as small watercraft laden with explosive or munitions.

These threat watercraft can be pleasure boats or other commercially available watercraft which are difficult if not impossible to distinguish from other non-threatening watercraft.

Other more expensive security barriers provide a physical security barrier for the port facility but not for individual vessels within the facility in the event the barrier is penetrated.

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