A case study of IP video management software (VMS) in use for port and waterway security in the United States.
The Sabine-Neches Waterway running 55 miles through Jefferson County, Texas, to the Gulf of Mexico, includes the number-one commercial and military out-load port in the United States and is the fourth largest port in terms of processed tonnage.
Authorities seek to ensure that all vessels (civilian, military and commercial) can safely navigate the waters with minimal interference such as collisions or other stoppage. A new CCTV system also monitors the many petroleum refineries that line the channel. Backed by a Verizon Wireless 4G connection, the county cameras along the waterway are networked through Milestone XProtect Enterprise video management software (VMS) for managing high definition video of live vessel movements and incident reporting from the archived footage.
Mark Nolan, Sales Engineer at the installer Knight Security Systems, says: “Milestone truly is the best IP video open platform on the market. It integrates with all of the cameras seamlessly and provides the sheriff’s department with more high definition images for significantly better views of the waterway than their previous system. We now have camera ‘eyes’ located on an array of tall locations in challenging environments. Our solution design includes live mobile video on tablets and smartphones to dispatchers and personnel on watercraft.”
Vessels range in size from tugboats to tanker ships hauling hundreds of tons of oil and other commodities. When an incident is called in to port security, authorities must assess and respond. Milestone XProtect provides the user interface where reported incidents are checked in the video to determine if the port must close, or can continue operating. Closing the port for any time is an expensive procedure, so virtual eyes on the scene is imperative.
The previously installed system was only viewable and navigable in one control station building. Knight Security Systems designed and installed XProtect Enterprise managing AXIS Q1604 and Sony SNC-ER550 cameras, and more than eight terabytes of storage to provide 24 hours of archiving. With the Milestone Mobile client, the sheriff’s department and port authorities now can access video from anywhere.
The 24-hour monitored cameras are centrally managed, viewable by all administrators in their offices, in the main monitoring station and on mobile devices.
The only ways to access Jefferson County through the waterway is via Sabine Pass or two entry points on the Intracoastal Waterway. The cameras give verification to confirm radio transmissions. The Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) at Port Arthur acts as gate-keepers aided by the video management software. Michael Measells, Director of Vessel Traffic Service, says: “If we pick up a radar blip that’s not transmitting an identification signal, it is imperative to identify that blip before it enters the port. The cameras can do what radar can’t achieve – put an eye on a vessel through the Milestone XProtect software, allowing us to know what’s moving, from a marine safety and security standpoint. That’s the number-one mission.”
Cameras line the river and port entrance, placed on the roofs of buildings to the top of the Verizon Wireless 4G towers. A Jefferson County Sheriff helicopter hosts a mounted camera, whether for monitoring an incident or making rounds.
John Moore, Electronics Materials Officer, United States Coast Guard, says: “We’ve adapted to the ease of application, connectivity and versatility of the Milestone interface very quickly – it’s so easy to use. Milestone is always up and running, and it loads extremely fast on any mobile operating system. The versatility of our Milestone setup also allows us to remotely provide access to our Sector Command Center in Houston.”
There are established procedures to follow before any response is made. Any event, whether a boating accident, cargo spill or personal injury, has the potential to shut down the channel. When an incident is reported, officials must confirm. Then the proper authorities are contacted and ground or water personnel deployed as needed. The sheriff’s department jurisdiction covers the entire 55 miles of critical infrastructure.
“If I get a report of an incident, I’ll pull Milestone Mobile up on my tablet or phone to assess the situation,” says Deputy Chief Mark Dubois, Jefferson County Sheriff. “XProtect helps us respond quickly, allowing us to view video from any cameras immediately, from any location, any time, to confirm or deny an event.”
“We can move from evaluation of a report to initiating a response in a matter of minutes, if not seconds,” Moore adds. “There’s time and money there. Once we confirm, all responders’ mindsets are immediately shifted into response.”
Visit the Milestone website – http://www.milestonesys.com/
