Ensuring maritime safety and port security are fundamental tasks performed by Maritime Rescue units, Border Guard units, and the Navy. The effectiveness of these tasks depends to a large extent on the technical reconnaissance means available, including optoelectronic sensors. Examples of such sensors are thermal imaging cameras used in conditions of limited meteorological visibility and at night. The aforementioned devices enable early (long-range) detection and identification of objects and events that pose a threat to the proper functioning of ships, ports, and naval bases.For many years, the main threat to safe maritime navigation was considered to be terrorist attacks, which, having various backgrounds—including economic, religious, or political—could be categorized by: region and intensity of occurrence, means of transport used, weaponry, method of attack execution, and the determination of the attackers. A common feature characterizing the actions of sabotage, special, or terrorist groups is the use of fast motorboats of the RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) type. Boats of this type are increasingly used in maritime tourism and recreation, as well as in transport applications.
In addition to the widely known acts of maritime terrorism (South China Sea, Gulf of Aden), the hijacking of the ship “Arctic Sea” in the waters of the Baltic Sea, considered safe, in 2009 indicates that in asymmetric operations there are no restrictions regarding: the target, method, course, and location of the attack. (…)
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Source: Logistyka Magazine 5/2011