New ship security system installed on Berge Boston

The first vessel certified by DNV to comply with the new International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code by IMO, Berge Boston, has installed a new integrated Ship Security System by Norway-based Hernis Scan Systems A/S.

Hernis is offering three alternative standardised ISPS packages: basic, advanced and SeaTouch. Cato Borch, company security officer for the ship owner Bergesen, chose the new Hernis ISPS Solution for the 2003 built LNG carrier Berge Boston and explains: “What SeaTouch can do, is to minimise the size of the watch keeping force onboard and is, at the same time, an excellent tool to comply with the ISPS Code, being implemented on 1 July 2004”.

While the basic package simply consists of up to 8 fixed cameras, a monitor and a switch, the advanced system can have up to 16 remotely pan and tilt controllable cameras. The SeaToch System runs with the a newly developed intelligent software, being able to simultaneously handle inputs and alarms from multiple sensors, including CCTV?s, hull perimeter detectors, thermal cameras for day and night vision, acoustic sensors, intrusion detectors, as well as a short range radar system. A multifunctional redundant supervision of the vessel and its surrounding waters results in full control of the vessel and can, at the same time, act as an early warning system from possible piracy at sea or at anchor.

The previous need for manual watch keeping of the crew, relying on a single source for early warnings or installing multiple types of security equipment, is now replaced by the single integrated SeaTouch system. This allows for an effective supervision of a large number of inputs from independent detection sources in one single control unit.

The user-friendly Man-Machine-Interface (MMI) consists of just one touch-sensible flat screen, administrating inputs from the entire security system. The graphical interface, including a GA drawing of each deck, immediately and clearly identifies the location of a breached alarm. It visually verifies the alarm condition using video images from the area in question.

When an alarm has been triggered, the intelligent SeaTouch software thus presents a clear picture of the possible infringement, enabling immediate and effective actions.