IMSN introduces the Triton Shield Anti-Piracy System

Recently, International Maritime Security Network, LLC conducted their first phase testing of the originally designed, non-lethal Triton Shield Anti-Piracy System (APS). Horizon Lines, LLC, a US flagged containership operator serving US domestic routes and Asia, offered their resources and assets to the project. Aboard the container vessel Horizon Crusader, IMSN conducted APS system tests and safety drills with Horizon crewmembers. Both IMSN and Horizon Lines remain proactive in helping to search for a security solution for not only their own personnel but for everyone throughout the entire maritime industry.

Mike Bohlman, Director of Marine Services at Horizon Lines said, "Working with IMSN has provided valuable insight for Horizon Lines and allowed us to take immediate action to enhance our vessel and facility security posture and our ability to mitigate the risk of either a pirate or terrorist attack."

The Triton Shield APS uses the most abundant resource available to a ship - - water. The use of water is nothing new, but maximizing the protective potential without risking the lives and safety of the ship's crew is. When dealing with terrorism on the high seas and the critical need to protect vessels underway in international waters, government or naval intervention to date still remains limited. Crews have to provide much of their own defenses. It is similar to calling 911 in a remote area, help may come but not for a considerable amount of time.

The Triton Shield Anti-Piracy System (APS) was developed as a multi-layered defense package with the goal to detect, deter and defend against piracy. The defense package incorporates training and education, hard security, and the originally designed, custom made, Triton Shield non-lethal anti-piracy device.

Application of the system starts in the classroom with IMSN's Piracy Defense Course to teach crewmembers how to efficiently DETECT and evaluate threats. In addition, IMSN also provides high-tech methods to detect any ships that enter a one-mile perimeter around an IMSN client ship. With the Triton Shield Anti-Piracy System (APS), a ship will be able to determine the difference between a fishing boat and a pirate craft, day or night.

IMSN recognizes that no one situation is ever the same as another. As a result the Triton Shield Anti-Piracy System (APS) was developed with maximum deterrence in mind. IMSN provides several options to harden vulnerable areas by updating passive security measures on board a ship. The innovative Triton Shield device is designed to create an active deterrent around the perimeter of a ship. While the IMSN team will monitor the initial installation aboard every ship, the device is simple, easy-to-use, and easy-to-maintain.

Finally, the Triton Shield Anti-Piracy System (APS) includes an armed hard security team as the last line of DEFENSE should deterrence fail. All IMSN hard security team members are fully vetted and come from military and or law enforcement backgrounds. IMSN hard security teams will operate under the guidelines of force continuum that provide them with the tools and training needed to evaluate a potential threat and determine the proper amount of force needed for any given situation.

"Our system will give every opportunity to fend off the pirates before the need for lethal force. Lethal force will only be considered when every option has been exhausted, and there is no other recourse to save the lives of the crew and maintain the safety of the ship" said Captain Timothy D. Nease, co-founder of IMSN LLC.

According to the International Maritime Bureau, pirate attacks in 2008 increased more than 200% from the previous year. Now, with monsoon season coming to an end in September, the maritime community is expecting pirate attacks to increase due to the calmer conditions at sea. Given that approximately 90% of all goods are shipped by sea, piracy is a serious threat to the world economy.