SECURITY IN PORTS: TURN YOUR LIGHTS ON!

The new security measures set up by the International Maritime Organisation under the ISPS Code highlight the issue of lighting within ports. With the emergence of the terrorist threat worldwide, it is indeed important to review the system of lighting in strategic areas. Manned guarding, CCTV and other security measures cannot be considered fully efficient if not implemented together with an adequate lighting. These form the basis for a good physical protection plan.

A security risk assessment of a port facility needs to be made after analysis of the quality of lighting in all sensitive areas including quays, perimeter fencing, entrances, gate house or office buildings. It should be recognised that these places are more likely to attract intruders if in total darkness rather than with some degree of light. Indeed, such aggressions occur more often overnight when all is quiet and when it is easy to hide, than during the day when places are full of people. A good lighting system would therefore help significantly night guards to identify any trespasser more quickly in any place. Their efficiency would increase and the risk of people entering a port illegally, be they terrorists or not, would be reduced as a result.

Lighting has to be focused and to accord to a plan. Factors such as position, location and power should be considered before installing them on a site. The first aspect to be concerned is position. Lights should be focused down and away from the protected area. The aim is to have the light in the intruder’s eyes, away from the security guard and positioned to avoid highlighting the security guard force activities. Indeed if the intruder is dazzled by effective lights, he will not have time to counter the performance of the security guard and the latter will be able to act faster.
The second aspect to be regarded is location. Lights can be mounted directly on a building or on the perimeter fence depending on the port facility plan. A thorough analysis of the port should be conducted as this issue will vary on the type of construction and on the location of the buildings/fences themselves. An assessment should be able to identify the port’s weaknesses whilst detecting where intruders could come from. The places where lights will be set up will depend on this appraisal.

The last aspect to be concerned is power. To have an effective lighting system in place, quality of the lamps should be examined. Different types exist (e.g. incandescent, fluorescent, high/low pressure sodium, etc.) and the choice will vary depending on the place where these lights will be installed. More or less powerful lighting should be installed at sites depending on the degree of risk which has been estimated high or not.
Although ports do not necessarily need high-tech systems in place, new technology can increase the effectiveness of the lighting plan. The use of a control system will, for instance, allow flexibility to provide adequate coverage with minimum impact on energy resources. Photosensitive switches can also ensure that lighting will activate during non-daylight hours and whenever area light drops to unacceptable levels. This technique can considerably assist the security guard force in wide areas such as ports. A security officer cannot patrol a quay and a perimeter fence at the same time, hence the reason why such a system is worth considering. But when using this technology a few details should not be ignored. For example it is important to consider programming automatic timers conforming to seasonal changes, as well as including a back-up power source and secure switch boxes…

The final point to be considered when establishing a lighting system is the fragility of the lighting. To prevent exterior lights being broken by accidents, tampering or vandalism, appropriate measures need to be incorporated. Protective lenses, covers and secure switch boxes can help maintaining adequate lighting standards in a port facility. Cabling should also be housed in a metal conduit. And of course, regular checks should be planned to ensure that all lights are clean and work properly. Not only will these recommendations help increase the lifetime of the lighting, they should also be regarded as necessary to comply with safety guidelines.