CHARLESTON, S.C., 24 Sept. 2007. American Science and Engineering Inc. (AS&E), maker of x-ray detection technology, and The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center-South East (NLECTC-SE) presented a port security cargo-screening system deployed by Project Seahawk for use at the Port of Charleston's U.S. Customs and Border Protection Container Examination Station.
NLECTC-SE has been working with AS&E to deliver and deploy AS&E's OmniView Gantry x-ray inspection system. The system is able to penetrate up to 14 inches of steel, providing port officials a comprehensive and safe means to inspect cargo containers for terrorist threats. The system will be transferred from NLECTC-SE to Project Seahawk and will be operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This effort was funded through a grant from the Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice.
The Port of Charleston, one of the largest container ports in the United States, is home to Project Seahawk, a Law Enforcement Task Force that brings together federal, state, and local agencies to improve port security.
"With the war on terrorism and a stronger emphasis on homeland security, it is widely recognized that the Nation's seaports are subject to a variety of threats, from importing weapons and other hazardous substances to illegal immigrants, and constitute a major target for terrorist activity," says Congressman Henry Brown, co-chair of the Congressional Port Security Caucus and co-sponsor of the recently passed SAFE Port Act. "By using advanced screening systems like OmniView, we will work to keep our seaports safe by deterring attacks before they occur."
