Homeland Security Grant for Waterway Surveillance System
A high grade surveillance system will soon be installed on the Port of Erie and Presque Isle Bay.
The Center for eBusiness and Advanced Technology received a grant from the US Department of Homeland Security for the project.
The department of homeland security granted eBizIT nearly $170,000 for the installation and deployment of a radar surveillance system.
The radar will detect and alert security officials if boats are traveling at excessive speeds or if they're entering into protected areas of the bay. Also, the surveillance can be used for post-incident analysis to recreate accidents. In addition to the safety aspect of the surveillance system, the project will provide extensive education and training for local college students. Students from Penn State Behrend, Mercyhurst College and Gannon University will provide technical support as well as project engineering and system testing of this latest available technology.
There are already surveillance cameras in place along the Bayfront, but this system will take maritime safety a step further.
The radar surveillance system should be installed and deployed by September, 2008.
