PortVision puts Coast Guard oil spill investigation in focus
Several beach goers found their favorite shorelines along the North County of San Diego closed in early June as a result of a several hundred gallon oil spill that washed onto dry land. The four-mile-long by one-mile-wide slick also cancelled a weekend surfing competition and had U.S. Coast Guard officials setting up a safety zone for three days.
The cost of the clean up alone was estimated at $60,000, according to local news reports, and this figure did not include loss of money to area businesses dependant on seasonal beach traffic or by the cancellation of the surfing event. And while the Coast Guard began searching for the offending party, it was akin to finding a needle in a haystack.
“It's incredibly difficult to track down those responsible for such a spill offshore,” said Coast Guard Lt. Jereme Altendorf. “Other than the oil itself, there were no witnesses or other evidence of blameworthiness.”
5 June 2007
SONARDYNE LAUNCHES NEW DIVER DETECTION SONAR
Sonardyne International Ltd has introduced a new diver detection sonar to counter the threat of underwater attacks against ships, harbours, coastal industrial installations and offshore oil platforms. The new Sentinel Intruder Detection Sonar (IDS) is being unveiled today at the Underwater Defence Technology exhibition and conference in Naples, Italy.
Sonardyne is well known as a leading manufacturer of subsea acoustic positioning, navigation and communications systems. The company’s introduction of Sentinel follows a major investment in engineering and acoustic technology to create the world’s smallest and best performing underwater intruder detection sonar.
With a sonar head measuring just 44 cm tall by 33 cm diameter, the Sentinel sonar array is considerably smaller than any other system currently available. It nevertheless provides a full 360 degrees of coverage and is capable of reliably detecting underwater targets up to 800 metres away. Weighing less than 30 kg, the compact system is ideal for expeditionary operation as it is easily palletised and rapidly deployed. The system can be deployed in many different ways, including over the vessel’s side, mounted rigidly or on the seabed in a frame.
The practicality of Sentinel’s design makes it a realistic option for protecting a wide range of maritime assets. The extreme vulnerability of expeditionary warfare units in overseas ports can be significantly reduced by a Sentinel system that can also be used to protect any fixed installation with a water perimeter. This includes most of the world’s valuable oil and gas refineries, liquefied natural gas terminals and power stations. With many of these facilities already deploying conventional terrestrial security systems, including thermal imaging, radar and ground sensing devices, Sentinel now closes the defensive circle against intruders.
The reliable detection of underwater targets and their discrimination from marine mammals is a notoriously difficult problem. Sentinel overcomes this challenge by combining state-of-the-art sonar technology, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processing units and automated detection, classification and tracking software. This has been proved in extensive trials over the past year to confirm a system that can work in a wide range of difficult acoustic underwater environments while ensuring that only genuine threats are highlighted. This minimises false alarms and reduces the dangerous tension that these can generate.
Sentinel’s unique configuration allows it to operate in stand-alone mode or networked with multiple sonar heads linked into a Command and Control (C2) system. As part of a comprehensive Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection afloat (ATFP) asset, Sentinel’s early warning capability will enable operators to deploy effective counter measures against underwater intruders in good time.
Sonardyne believes that any system that bombards an unskilled operator with confusing data and false alarms will soon be ignored so the operation of Sentinel is clear and intuitive. Because it is unlikely to be operated by trained sonar technicians, Sentinel has been designed for ease of use through the combination of advanced algorithms and a simple user interface.
Commenting on the launch of Sentinel, Rob Balloch strategic development director for Sonardyne said, "Sentinel is the first of a new generation of maritime security products to be released by Sonardyne. We have brought together many of the leading experts in their specialised disciplines to develop the unique technology that can deliver trusted solutions to the customer in the most challenging underwater conditions such as noisy, shallow harbours. We have listened to what the customers really wanted from a diver detection system and believe Sentinel is the first practical, cost-effective solution to the threat presented by underwater intruders."
-ENDS-
Press enquiries contact:, Paul Eastaugh PEMS Marine & Offshore PR
tel: +44 (0)118 934 1101 fax: +44 (0)118 934 1137 mobile: +44 (0)7889 432014
Email: paul.eastaugh@btinternet.com
Sales enquiries contact: Rob Balloch
Sonardyne International Ltd,
Blackbushe Business Park, Yateley, Hampshire, GU46 6GD, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 872288
Fax: +44 (0)1252 876100
email: rob.balloch@sonardyne.com
IDENTEC SOLUTIONS Develops Satellite Assisted RFID Tag Technology
2007-06-11
Lustenau Austria and Dallas TX . – (June 11, 2007) – IDENTEC SOLUTIONS, the global leader in wireless tracking and tracing solutions that include award-winning intelligent long-range active RFID technology, announces the release of the first independently intelligent RFID tag.
In keeping with its award-winning leadership position of being both an industry leader and technological innovator, IDENTEC SOLUTIONS developed a satellite assisted tag that can isolate the specific location and movement of an asset. Absolute location identification has not been previously possible until the recent development of the IDENTEC SOLUTIONS GPS Tag.
“Our GPS Tag is the most advanced RFID Tag on the market,?? states Gerhard Schedler, CEO, IDENTEC SOLUTIONS. “Once again IDENTEC SOLUTIONS is proud to stand at the forefront of our industry by developing and introducing the most innovative solutions available.
With read/write range in excess of 500 meters, the IDENTEC SOLUTIONS GPS Tag can be activated at any time with a reader thereby providing increased ease of access and reduced infrastructure.
The intelligence of the tag lies within the tag itself. Self-tracking, the GPS tag utilizes satellites in combination with RFID to chart its route and movement. Once within range of an IDENTEC SOLUTIONS reader, the tag will provide crucial information of the assets movements.
Use of this technology is well suited to any type of asset or personnel tracking application, and in particular for container and port transit. The receiver will be able to ascertain the exact route and journey of any asset or person. Not only will this system provide for greater control, but will allow for greater security and scrutiny.
“The IDENTEC SOLUTIONS GPS Tag is a ground breaking solution so advanced that applications for the technology are virtually endless,?? states Peter Linke, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, IDENTEC SOLUTIONS. “The GPS Tag will provide our customers with the most complete asset tracking solution possible.??
About IDENTEC SOLUTIONS
Founded in 1997, IDENTEC SOLUTIONS is a global leader in wireless tracking and tracing solutions that include award-winning intelligent long-range active RFID technology. IDENTEC SOLUTIONS' patented RFID technology and products are utilized by some of the world's largest companies to facilitate and better manage critical processes or to help track valuable assets in a completely reliable and secure manner. IDENTEC SOLUTIONS' Intelligent Long Range active RFID System can identify, locate, track and communicate with assets at a distance of up to 500 meters (1,500 feet) to deliver superior supply chain real-time visibility in dynamic, demanding environments. IDENTEC SOLUTIONS' expertise and experience is especially used by systems integrators and end customers worldwide in the automotive, transportation and logistics, and aerospace and defense industries. As a long-time industry player, IDENTEC SOLUTIONS has provided asset management solutions and support for a variety of organizations, including an impressive roster of Fortune 500 clients such as Volkswagen, Deutsche Post and General Electric and leading systems integrators such as Intellion, Wtek, e-Plate and Softworks. The privately-held technology company is headquartered in Lustenau , Austria , with American headquarters in Dallas , Texas , and other offices worldwide supporting its customers. More information is available at www.identecsolutions.com.
