Freeport gets nation’s newest perimeter protection system
The $2.3 million project was installed and completed by the Federal Government Division of CIBER, Inc.
The CIBER security system is expected to enhance the security and safety of the port and simplify port business processes and operations while still accommodating the port's anticipated rapid growth.
The new security system was completed less than a week after the Transportation Security Administration initiated local enrolment in the Transport Workers Identification Credential (TWIC).
Port Freeport is the 13th largest port in the U.S. in foreign cargo tonnage, and 23rd in the U.S. in total tonnage, accommodating 33.9 million tons of cargo per year. It employs more than 11,000 people and has an economic impact on the region of more than $9 billion annually.
Port officials have been determined to adopt the most effective security regime to protect port facilities as well as several large petrochemical plants in the vicinity.
The perimeter security system project now in place was initiated in October 2006.
"Port Freeport's project team researched several different system integrators and security technologies," recalled Rick Benavidez, security manager for Port Freeport. "We followed up with visits to the vendors who made the short list. With the Enterprise Security Solutions (ESS) system provided by CIBER, we achieved our goal of improving waterside security and MDA."
Features of the port security system implemented at Port Freeport include:
• Integrated security systems for video surveillance, intrusion detection and access control;
• "Intelligent" radar systems designed for small-craft coverage and swimmer detection within the harbor in order to provide situational awareness and security command and control;
• Large vessel tracking within the harbor and up to 17 miles outside the harbor;
• A base station to track automatic identification system (AIS)-equipped vessels within the harbor and up to 30 miles outside the harbor. AIS is a VHF transponder on ships over 300 gross tons, including towboats, tugs and offshore supply vessels. It allows the port security system to track vessels' positions in real time and display vessel information and attributes including name, speed and schedules;
• Patrol boat tracking with mobile access to all video displays, command and control displays and Web applications;
• A secure Web portal which provides the port and stakeholders in the region with an integrated approach to enhance security, safety and operational efficiency simultaneously;
• A waterside perimeter intruder detection and alert system, including a security zone management system;
• A regional command and control (C2) situational display and common operating picture (COP) system;
• A vessel notice of arrival (NOA) and scheduling system including pilot dispatching, port operations berth planning and invoicing system.
CIBER announced the completion of the project on May 7.
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