Port Security Barrier (PSB) Systems were developed after the attack on the USS COLE. After meticulous and painstaking development, the U.S. Navy has determined PSB as the only solution to protect their warships and ports. Truston Technologies is the global leader in manufacturing floating navigation buoys and protection barriers. The very first port security barrier provided by Truston Technologies to the U.S. Navy was in 2001. They have now provided over 18 miles at worldwide locations. This is the only U.S. Navy approved system that can stop boats speeding up to 60 mph and under full power.

Americans hear of terrorism threats and cyber-attacks daily. When flying, there are security measures everyone must adhere to. Most people have known someone or has personally experienced a cyber-attack. Security makes headlines every day, but most do not hear of the need to protect the U.S. Navy ships who keep watch and guard the water around the world. The U.S. Navy is one very important aspect to continue America’s prosperity and leadership. 

The majority of the world’s goods are transported on the seas. Submarine cables transmit 99% of transoceanic data traffic, as well as nearly all electronic financial transactions between the U.S. and other continents. These undersea cables and cargo ships are a necessity for global economy, and it is the U.S. Navy that helps provide protection. The need to protect the U.S. is vital just like the need to protect the sky and the cyber world. 

One level of protection at ports is the use of floating navigation buoys for protection barriers. Truston Technologies makes the only U.S. Navy approved system. The buoys are 12 ft in diameter with an internal skeleton comprised of a heavy fabricated carbon steel frame to help anchor them down to the sea floor. It is comprised of round and square tubular steel which increase the strength and rigidity needed for the life of the buoy. Using tubular steel and hot dip galvanizing them has been innovative for this industry. 

Due to the harsh elements of salt water, the U.S. Navy needed something to protect the steel in this corrosive environment. The U.S. government is required to find reasonable alternatives within a budgetary scope to fill this need. After looking at different options and types of material, they felt the cost benefits of hot-dip galvanized steel outweighed all other options available to them. By having the tubes coated and protected on both the inside and outside, corrosion that had taken place internally has now been prevented and is extending the life of these buoys. 

Hot-dip galvanized steel has always been one of the US Navy’s most prudent options to protect the steel over the course of its service life. Year after year it has shown to exceed their expectations. By hot dip galvanizing the steel, these systems, that see some of the harshest elements to steel, will be able to protect our Navy ships for much longer than other materials or coatings. 

The U.S. Navy has firsthand experience to the ocean water’s corrosiveness which led them to galvanize these buoys knowing they would be sustainable in these harsh environments. The U.S. Navy and Truston Technologies felt that hot-dip galvanizing was the best option for these buoys due to the durability, longevity and maintenance free nature of the coating.