Submerged debris and turbid water conditions can make it difficult to assess threats to ports and harbors after catastrophic natural or man-made disasters. It can take days or weeks to clear a port for operations after a disaster.
To assist, the Center for Maritime, Island and Remote and Extreme Environment Security (MIREES) at the University of Hawaii (UH), a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Center of Excellence, has worked with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the State of Hawaii Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation to develop the Unmanned Port Security Vessel (UPSV). The UPSV integrates multiple sensors for rapid inspection of debris and water conditions in shallow water and port environments.