A barrier for protecting a port, waterway, or off-shore structure is provided. The barrier has a front elongated pontoon which extends substantially the length of the barrier. A net assembly, provided either in sections, or as an elongated net, extends vertically upward from the front elongated pontoon and along the length of the front elongated pontoon. The net assembly is affixed to the front elongated pontoon with one or more net support beams. The front elongated pontoon is supported by a rear pontoon support structure, which may be a series of pontoons, each connected to the front elongated pontoon and spaced apart the length of the front elongated pontoon, or an elongated cylindrically shaped rear pontoon which extends substantially the length of the barrier. In some embodiments, a rear net section is attached to the rear pontoon support structure. In another embodiment of the invention, a barrier system for protecting a port, waterway, or off-shore structure is provided. The barrier system comprises two or more contiguous barrier units, one of which is a barrier according to the present invention that form a perimeter to protect the port, waterway, or off-shore structure and can additionally act as a debris barrier. In one embodiment, the barrier system forms a perimeter protecting a port or waterway. In another embodiment, the barrier system protects an off-shore structure.

A barrier for protecting a port, waterway, or off-shore structure is provided. The barrier has a front elongated pontoon which extends substantially the length of the barrier. A net assembly, provided either in sections, or as an elongated net, extends vertically upward from the front elongated pontoon and along the length of the front elongated pontoon. The net assembly is affixed to the front elongated pontoon with one or more net support beams. The front elongated pontoon is supported by a rear pontoon support structure, which may be a series of pontoons, each connected to the front elongated pontoon and spaced apart the length of the front elongated pontoon, or an elongated cylindrically shaped rear pontoon which extends substantially the length of the barrier. In some embodiments, a rear net section is attached to the rear pontoon support structure. In another embodiment of the invention, a barrier system for protecting a port, waterway, or off-shore structure is provided. The barrier system comprises two or more contiguous barrier units, one of which is a barrier according to the present invention that form a perimeter to protect the port, waterway, or off-shore structure and can additionally act as a debris barrier. In one embodiment, the barrier system forms a perimeter protecting a port or waterway. In another embodiment, the barrier system protects an off-shore structure.

A system and method are provided for presence based automatic operation of a marine barrier gate for protecting a secured area. Embodiments include a system having RFID sensors outside and inside the secured area, and proximal the gate. A controller verifies that a user is authorized to enter the secured area when one or more of the RFID sensors communicate with a user identification unit carried by the user; opens the gate or causes the gate to remain open when the user's authorization to enter the secured area is verified; tracks a location of the user identification unit using the RFID sensors while the gate is open and the user is transiting the gate; and closes the gate when the RFID sensors are no longer in communication with the user identification unit.

A system is provided for automatic operation and status indication of a marine barrier gate. Embodiments include a system having a buoyant barrier gate that is movable between a closed position and an open position. An actuator moves the gate between the open and closed positions, and a sensor is operably connected to the actuator to generate data relating to a position of the barrier gate between the open and closed positions. A processor receives the data from the sensor and processes the data to move the gate between the open and closed positions, and detect the position of the gate. A human-machine interface is operably connected to the processor for communicating the detected position of the barrier gate to a user.

A system is provided for automatic operation and status indication of a marine barrier gate. Embodiments include a system having a buoyant barrier gate that is movable between a closed position and an open position. An actuator moves the gate between the open and closed positions, and a sensor is operably connected to the actuator to generate data relating to a position of the barrier gate between the open and closed positions. A processor receives the data from the sensor and processes the data to move the gate between the open and closed positions, and detect the position of the gate. A human-machine interface is operably connected to the processor for communicating the detected position of the barrier gate to a user.

A boat gate system for controlling vessel access to a port or similar waterbody has a number of connected, floating Port Security Barrier (PSB) segments. A remote latching and unlatching mechanism, combined with a powered mover mounted on one or more PSB segments, permits remote unlatching of the PSB segments; moving the PSB segments to a desired location (whether rotating same about a point, or moving a longer section laterally) so as to open the PSB, then moving the PSBs back to a closed position and latching same. Both the unlatching, movement, and latching are remotely controlled. Positional indicators, for example Global Positioning Systems or similar systems, are provided to monitor and assist in controlling PSB segment movement and unlatching, and movement of the PSB segments in a desired direction to a desired location.

A boat gate system for controlling vessel access to a port or similar waterbody has a number of connected, floating Port Security Barrier (PSB) segments. A remote latching and unlatching mechanism, combined with a powered mover mounted on one or more PSB segments, permits remote unlatching of the PSB segments; moving the PSB segments to a desired location (whether rotating same about a point, or moving a longer section laterally) so as to open the PSB, then moving the PSBs back to a closed position and latching same. Both the unlatching, movement, and latching are remotely controlled. Positional indicators, for example Global Positioning Systems or similar systems, are provided to monitor and assist in controlling PSB segment movement and unlatching, and movement of the PSB segments in a desired direction to a desired location.

The disclosed invention is a device for non-lethally stopping or slowing any water jet propelled craft, such as a common personal watercraft (PWC), by disrupting the water suction and thereby reducing the generated thrust. Most PWCs have an inboard engine that is coupled to a water jet pump which uses an impeller to generate thrust. This invention is ingested by the PWC intake to either clog the intake gate (or screen) or fill critical volume in any portion of the jet pump (such as the intake, impeller, stator, or pressure nozzle). In any case, water flow through the jet drive is significantly reduced which reduces the vessel's thrust. PWCs depend on adequate water flow through the jet pump to generate the thrust required for propulsion and steerage, and to provide engine cooling. Since this invention is designed to interrupt water flow, the result is reduced speed, steerage, and/or engine overheating.

The disclosed invention is a device for non-lethally stopping or slowing any water jet propelled craft, such as a common personal watercraft (PWC), by disrupting the water suction and thereby reducing the generated thrust. Most PWCs have an inboard engine that is coupled to a water jet pump which uses an impeller to generate thrust. This invention is ingested by the PWC intake to either clog the intake gate (or screen) or fill critical volume in any portion of the jet pump (such as the intake, impeller, stator, or pressure nozzle). In any case, water flow through the jet drive is significantly reduced which reduces the vessel's thrust. PWCs depend on adequate water flow through the jet pump to generate the thrust required for propulsion and steerage, and to provide engine cooling. Since this invention is designed to interrupt water flow, the result is reduced speed, steerage, and/or engine overheating.

A floating barrier system has a plurality of connected floating barrier units. Capture net segments are positioned on the floating barrier units by support post members, forming a barrier to vessel passage. Lanyards attach the ends of the capture net segments to the floating barrier units. Upon a vessel striking the capture net segments with sufficient force, the capture nets detach from the support post members and/or pull the support post members over, and the forces from the vessel are transferred via the lanyards to the floating barrier unit. The vessel is prevented from fully passing over the floating barrier unit, thus itself forming a barrier to passage by other vessels.