The Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) Maritime Safety and Security Program develops and transitions technical capabilities that enhance U.S. maritime border security by safeguarding lawful trade and travel, and helps to prevent illegal use of the maritime environment to transport illicit goods or people.
Projects and Activities
Port & Coastal Surveillance
- Dark Vessel Detection
- USCG – S&T Innovation Center
- Maritime Domain Awareness Sensors
- Maritime Unmanned Systems Technology
Remote Maritime Technologies
- Datahub - Maritime
- Space Based Technologies
- Search and Rescue Devices
- Underway Cutter Connectivity
- Distress Alerting in Remote Maritime Environments
Integrated Multi-Domain Enterprise
- Integrated Multi-Domain Enterprise
- Border and Coastal Information Services
Port & Waterway Resiliency
- Waterways Analysis and Management Systems
- River Information Systems
- Waterway Harmonization
- Port Resiliency and Security Testbed
Maritime Unmanned Systems Technology
DHS performed testing on unmanned vessels to initiate accelerated sensor research on unmanned systems. The vessels successfully navigated autonomously, conducted subsurface operations, operated effectively for long periods using only wind and solar power, and showed potential as sensor platforms to detect threats.
TITANIC
The unclassified prototype TITANIC architecture was delivered and implemented for International Ice Patrol (IIP), enabling integration of satellite-based iceberg reconnaissance into the IIP workflow.
Integrated Multi-Domain Enterprise
The Management Component Acquisition Executive and the Management Acquisition Review Board approved Integrated Multi-Domain Enterprise (IMDE) ADE-1 and the program will move forward as a Level 3 Information Technology Acquisition Program of Record with DHS OPS as sponsor. IMDE establishes a core information sharing architecture to enable DHS to meet mission-critical information sharing, domain awareness, and multi-agency operational coordination needs.
Waterway Analysis and Management Systems
Completed Module 2 of the Waterway Analysis and Management Systems (WAMS) project, enabling integration of key waterway performance indicators into U.S. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Information System (ATONIS), Integrated Aids to Navigation Information System (I-ATONIS), and U.S. Aids to Navigation Information Management System (USAIMS) applications.
Datahub (Kestrel)
Obtained Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authority to operate and completed integration with the CBP Air Marine Operations Surveillance System (AMOSS) Operational environment, allowing analytics and predictive threat models to be delivered, which will improve decision times and provide predicted landing locations to increase interdiction rates.
Dark Vessel Detection
The critical design review was completed for the Maritime Approaches Surveillance Tower (MAST), an integrated maritime detection capability, which when combined with COTS sensors, will create a “defense in depth” for one of the most vulnerable areas of our maritime borders—Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Amphibious eXtreme Terrain Vehicle for Ice Rescue Fact Sheet
- Maritime Domain Awareness Sensors Fact Sheet
- Maritime Safety and Security Program Fact Sheet
- Maritime Unmanned Systems Technology Fact Sheet
- Polar Scout—Space-based Sensors Video
- Rescue 21 Augmentation from Space Fact Sheet
- River Information Systems Fact Sheet
- U.S. Coast Guard Science Technology Innovation Center Fact Sheet
- Waterways Analysis and Management Systems Fact Sheet
- Waterway Harmonization Fact Sheet
- News Release: From Physical Maps to Online Lookups - DHS S&T and NOAA Transition Harmonized Waterway Database to Coast Guard
- Blog: Helping Coast Guard Warn Ships of Icebergs in the North Atlantic
- News Release: New Satellite-based Imagery Technology to Help Coast Guard Warn Ships of Icebergs in the North Atlantic
- Feature Article: Ensuring Coast Guard Can ‘Strike’ Fast During HAZMAT Incidents
- Feature Article: How Autonomous Vessels Can Help the Coast Guard Safeguard Our Waters
- News Release: S&T Funds San Jose Startup Customize Language Translator USCG
- Snapshot: Overcoming the Tyranny of Distance in the Arctic
Centers of Excellence
- Maritime Awareness Security Center (MASC)–Led by the University of Alaska Anchorage and Stevens Institute of Technology, MASC develops technologies, products, and programs to enhance maritime security and resilience in dynamic marine environments.
Contact MSS_STMCS@hq.dhs.gov.
Learn more about our R&D mission and discover how you can Work with S&T to help strengthen the nation's homeland security.