Anti pirate water shield gets Panama thumbs up

(PanamaNewsRoom) WELLSBURG. WV – The near final phase of testing of an anti-pirating wall of water defense system, already approved in Panama, will take place this month.

The Triton Shield APS  certified by the Panama Maritime Authority,( PMA) the world’s largest ship registry, will get a major trial on a voyage from Jacksonville, Fla., to San Juan, Puerto Rico, aboard a Horizon Lines vessel before heading for a final test in the pirate infested seas off the African coast.

A representative from the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE) will observe and evaluate the shield  and its accompanying  Anti-Piracy course. The voyage will test early-detection cameras, ballistic armor for safe rooms, and upgrades to the Triton Shield wall-of-water device. IMMARBE will  also observe crew training and a security team’s role aboard the vessel.

“While there is little credible threat of pirates in the Caribbean waters, the Horizon Lines vessel will allow testing of all processes and training of crew members at sea,” said Captain Timothy D. Nease (ret.), co-founder and CEO of IMSN. He said this initial testing is imperative in preparation for another voyage on a different carrier scheduled through the high-risk waters off Africa in April.
The world’s largest ship registry, PMA, has certified the Triton Shield APS based on a demonstration conducted in Panama last September. IMSN also presented its Anti-Piracy course, which PMA is currently evaluating for certification. “The Panama Maritime Authority’s support for an anti-piracy system is very significant for the maritime industry,” said Nease.

IMSN’s Triton Shield APS provides layered security beginning with an innovative camera system to detect any watercraft that enters a one-mile radius of theIMSN-equipped vessel. The Triton Shield water system discharges a powerful wall of water alongside of the ship, which can run continuously on vessels travelling  through high-risk waters. The wall of water makes it extremely difficult for pirates to scale the hull of the ship, and can flood small boats within minutes. The wall of water can further be enhanced with environmentally safe irritants making it even more challenging for pirates to ever board a commercial vessel. 
Nease said : “This is a practical solution for ship owners with multiple vessels. We’re also seeking designs applicable to yachts and expect to introduce customizable solutions this summer.”.

The IMSN Anti-Piracy Defense Course, designed for officers and crews, provides concepts related to anti-piracy laws and the needed practical training for activities such as watch-keeping, lockdown procedures, anti-piracy drills, hand-to-hand defensive tactics, as well as contingency plans for issues such as surviving a hostage attack.

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Original Source: PanamaNewsRoom

Date Retrieved: March 16, 2011