Low-cost multimodal integrated marine surveillance system

Detection of surface vessels, semisubmersibles, and underwater vehicles is required for several Maritime Law Enforcement missions, including drug and alien migrant interdiction, monitoring, control, and surveillance of illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, as well as protection from maritime terrorism. Detection and monitoring of vessels involved in illegal activity occurs principally through the collection, analysis, and dissemination of tactical information and strategic intelligence combined with effective sensors operating from land, air, and surface assets. Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT) built and tested an experimental low-cost sensor suite dubbed the Boat Detection System (BDS) prototype that can work autonomously on the shore or at sea using available platforms. The suggested low-cost automated sensor system costs less than current land and air-based sensors and does not require a human in the loop for its operation. The experimental sensor suite uses low-cost COTS sensors including marine radar, optical and infrared cameras, and AIS receivers in conjunction with an underwater acoustic array, the Stevens Passive Acoustic System (SPADES-2) prototype, outfitted with Stevens custom-made lowcost hydrophones.