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 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 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 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.

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 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.

An open water marine barrier system is provided. Embodiments include a marine barrier with two elongate buoyant members, an elongate net support member between the two buoyant members and above the buoyant members, and an elongate lower ballast member between the two buoyant members and below the buoyant members. Stanchions extend between the members to support them and maintain the spacing between them. An impact net is attached to the net support member and a stanchion extending between the two buoyant members. When a moving vessel impacts the impact net, the net deflects to transfer a force of the impact to the net support member, the stanchions, and the buoyant members, which engage the water to transfer the impact force to the water and arrest the motion of the vessel. The ballast member provides a force to restore the barrier to an upright position when the barrier rotates from vertical.

An open water marine barrier system is provided. Embodiments include a marine barrier with two elongate buoyant members, an elongate net support member between the two buoyant members and above the buoyant members, and an elongate lower ballast member between the two buoyant members and below the buoyant members. Stanchions extend between the members to support them and maintain the spacing between them. An impact net is attached to the net support member and a stanchion extending between the two buoyant members. When a moving vessel impacts the impact net, the net deflects to transfer a force of the impact to the net support member, the stanchions, and the buoyant members, which engage the water to transfer the impact force to the water and arrest the motion of the vessel. The ballast member provides a force to restore the barrier to an upright position when the barrier rotates from vertical.