August 2005

  
KONGSBERG Underwater Surveillance Commission

Norway headquartered Kongsberg Maritime, has announced that its Lynwood, USA based division, Kongsberg Underwater Technology Inc, has been awarded a US$3 million contract to supply an additional 10 SM2000 Underwater Surveillance Systems for the US Coast Guard's Integrated Anti-Swimmer System (IAS)

"Following 9/11, the US Coast Guard was charged with assessing the level of threat (from terrorism) and the capability to deal with it, in every US port," said Kongsberg. "A large concern was the threat of malicious swimmers and divers to commercial piers, government and military vessels, cruise ships, terminals and other high value assets. The IAS was developed as a reaction to this threat."

The SM2000 Underwater Surveillance System is manufactured by Kongsberg Mesotech Ltd of British Columbia, Canada, and forms the basis of the IAS. According to Kongsberg, the SM2000 sound head detects and tracks potential underwater threats and the processor classifies and alerts system operators to their presence.

"High frequency sonar images positively identify whether the contact is a swimmer or diver and not just debris, marine life or some other object," explained the company. "In many tests with actual divers, moving at different speeds and in different directions, the SM2000 was able to detect them every time. The sonar can differentiate between animals and humans in part because of their different shapes and typical movements underwater."

Kongsberg added that the new system will not be used continuously throughout a port. Instead, it will be deployed when necessary to protect high-value ships and events. "Small in size, easy to move, setup and use, the SM2000 Underwater Surveillance System will prove to be a valuable asset to port security throughout the USA," Kongsberg said.

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