Page 51: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q1 2012)

It is important to pursue value-based solutions that consider total lifecycle cost. In other words, it may not make sense to save money up-front on the hardware and installation, if all of the savings will be given back over the life of the system through maintenance expenditures. A careful calculation of total lifecycle cost, that anticipates all projected operational and maintenance expenses over the entire life of the system, as well as the duration of that expected life, is a valuable deci- sion support tool. Ideally, an ef Þ cient and effective waterside security barrier solution should provide maximum stopping power for a wide variety of threat scenarios, serve as an effective deterrent and a barrier to unauthorized access in all sea conditions, and oper- ate in a harsh marine environment effectively with minimum operational and maintenance requirements. A reference to the book Animal Farm comes to mind: All barriers are created equal. Some barriers are more equal than others.GOOD BARRIERS ?Ex Scientia Tridens? (from knowledge, seapower), the U.S.Naval Academy motto, reminds us that knowledge and maritime security are mutually inclusive. In the waterside bar- rier business, one size de Þ nitely does not Þ t all. For security professionals looking to implement a waterside security bar- rier solution for the Þ rst time, or to upgrade an existing solu- tion, it is critically important that the new barriers are selected with the security mission in mind. Ask the barrier provider to work with you on your Concept of Operations. Require your consultant to explain how and why each component of the barrier system was selected. And build a tailored solution that is a custom Þ t for your environmental conditions, budget, and operations.Security professionals with waterside perimeters are faced with a dif? cult challenge: ? nd the right balance between effective security measures and normal waterborne operations. It is not unusual for sensitive waterside facilities to be located in close proximity to marine terminals, public marinas, and other facilities that accommodate routine water- borne operations. The AuthorLuke Ritter leads the maritime practice at Ridge Global, a ? rm founded by The Honorable Tom Ridge, the ? rst U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. He can be reached for comment at:[email protected] a barrier is only capable of capturing and stopping a single object, but the stopping power is diminished for any additional objects (such as a swarm attack) it may not be a suitable solution.www.maritimeprofessional.com | Maritime Professional | 51