Port Security
The U.S. maritime system consists of over 300 sea and river ports with more than 3,700 cargo and passenger terminals. The United States and global economies depend on commercial shipping as the most reliable, cost efficient method of transporting goods. Seaports offer a unique and difficult security environment. The goal to keep traffic moving for commerce creates complex shipping systems and strategic placement of surveillance and monitoring systems is often handicapped by an inability to maintain those devices. This leaves critical security components often out of commission for prolonged times and port authorities faced with decisions to shut down docks, aisles, cranes, and shipping yards in order for maintenance crews to safely work and allow maintenance equipment such as lifts or bucket trucks access to the mounted equipment. This can cause an astronomical cost in time and money that is easily avoided where a lowering device is implemented.
Maintainability is the cornerstone issue in any surveillance application. When a camera remains down for more than 15 to 20 minutes (or days and weeks in some instances), results simply into vulnerability (loss of sight). Typical maintenance for pole- or structure-mounted cameras is most often by way of lifts, a bucket truck, or personnel required to climb for access. The availability or accessibility of such trucks, lifts, or man power can mean a camera will remain offline for an extended time. Excessive camera downtime can cripple a port from being able to effectively defend itself from security breaches and maritime threats.
The implementation of a camera-lowering device allows cameras to be accessed by a single person in a matter of seconds. All maintenance or replacement can be done at ground level, thereby eliminating the safety concerns of maintenance and ground crews. Now strategically mounted surveillance and monitoring equipment can be maintained with minimal, if any, impact to the flow of goods and services.
Maintainability is the cornerstone issue in any surveillance application. When a camera remains down for more than 15 to 20 minutes (or days and weeks in some instances), results simply into vulnerability (loss of sight). Typical maintenance for pole- or structure-mounted cameras is most often by way of lifts, a bucket truck, or personnel required to climb for access. The availability or accessibility of such trucks, lifts, or man power can mean a camera will remain offline for an extended time. Excessive camera downtime can cripple a port from being able to effectively defend itself from security breaches and maritime threats.
The implementation of a camera-lowering device allows cameras to be accessed by a single person in a matter of seconds. All maintenance or replacement can be done at ground level, thereby eliminating the safety concerns of maintenance and ground crews. Now strategically mounted surveillance and monitoring equipment can be maintained with minimal, if any, impact to the flow of goods and services.