The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. has deployed a new patrol boat and helicopter equipped with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) detection systems to inspect ships prior to entering the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The 55-foot ocean going patrol boat, built by Willard Marine, is integrated with radiation scanning systems and portable devices for remote CBRNE operations. The detection equipment transmits data real time to the Sheriff’s Dept. Hazardous Material Detail headquarters for further interpretation. The vessel also includes advanced sonar and is equipped with a remotely operated underwater vehicle that can search ship hulls for improvised explosive devices and remove and disarm them. A specially trained canine that can detect chemical and biological components uses to create chemical and biological weapons is also deployed with the patrol boat. The helicopter, a Eurocopter AS350B2, is equipped with a radiation detection pod that allows remote screening of ships for radioactive materials while flying over a vessel. The waterborne and airborne radiation detection systems are supplied by Radiation Solutions, Inc., of Canada. Working with the Coast Guard the Sheriff’s Dept. sends boarding teams out to stop and search vessles bound for the port.
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