NEW YORK, March 27 (UPI) -- Jacksonville, Fla., security officials announced a contract with Coda Octopus Group Inc. for the company's underwater threat detection technologies.
New York-based Coda Octopus will deliver its Underwater Inspection System for use by the Jacksonville Sheriff's small patrol vessels. The Underwater Inspection System technology, developed for the U.S. Coast Guard, is capable of detecting potential threats underwater with real-time 3-D sonar technology.
Company officials say the Jacksonville contract marks the first deployment of their next-generation port security technology by a local law enforcement agency since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
"The Underwater Inspection System will greatly enhance our capability to safeguard our ports and underwater critical infrastructure," Chief Roy Henderson, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office homeland security division director, said in a statement.
Coda Octopus says it has been working to commercialize the Underwater Inspection System 3-D technology for local markets after being deployed by the U.S. Coast Guard and in the Middle East and Asia. Officials say the Jacksonville contract is a milestone for the company.
