Harbor Offshore Barriers' PSB 5500 schematic
PSB 5500 barrier system typical elevation
PSB 5500 high-density polyethylene pontoon section
High density polyethylene pontoon section – PSB 5500
PSB 5500 port security barrier
PSB 5500 – Harbor Offshore Barriers’ highest ultimate and working stopping barrier product.

Floating Barriers
PSB 5500 Port Security Barrier System

The PSB 5500™ anti-terrorist system employs a continuous net capture system supported on a pontoon structure. It was developed by the US Navy to be used when maximum security is required.

This marine barrier system has the highest ultimate stopping energy (9.09M ft lbs/12,337 kJ) and working stopping energy (5,500,000 lbf/24.46 MN) of the Harbor Offshore Barriers’ anti-terrorism systems.

The PSB 5500 maritime security system is designed to stop:

  • Fast Inshore Attack Crafts (FIAC)
  • Boat-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (BBIED)
  • Multiple boat and swarm attacks
  • Intruders at full power before, during, and after impact
  • Slow speed, heavy tonnage vessels
  • High speed, lower tonnage vessels

PSB 5500 Barrier System – Energy Absorption and Stopping Power

  • Ultimate stopping energy 9.09M ft lbf/12.33 MJ
  • Working stopping energy 5.49M ft lbf/7.44 MJ

Constructed System

  • PSB 5500 unit length is 50 ft (15.24 m) and 40 ft (12.19 m) units are available.
  • Pontoons are made from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) that is corrosion free and resistant to UV exposure for 50+ years.
  • Pontoons are usually 1.75 in (4.45 cm) in thickness and 40 in (106.68 cm) in diameter subject to conditions, customer requirements or other factors.
  • Pontoons can be supplied in either parallel or perpendicular design.
  • Netting is attached to a galvanized steel beam that runs from pontoon to pontoon.
  • Netting is constructed of steel, stainless steel or synthetic materials and generally rises 9 ft (2.74 m) above the water line.
  • Netting is attached to a galvanized steel beam that runs from pontoon to pontoon with 7 net warps per unit.
  • Total unit weight is 6,000 lbs (2.7 tons)
  • Under 106-knot wind and 4-knot current broadside conditions, withstands 2,540 lbf (11,298.42 N)
  • Anchors vary by type and size depending on engineering requirements.
  • Shore connections and subsurface anchors are designed to accommodate large fluctuations of water levels at dams, high currents and up to 30 ft (9.14 m) ocean tidal cycles.
  • Connection units and latches are of proprietary design under license from the US Navy to handle continuous motion and heavy loads.
  • Parts and connections are interchangeable.
  • Gate systems built to client needs.

Performance

  • Durability – HDPE pontoon’s thickness and diameter produce structural strength sufficient to withstand the weight of the heavy steel beam and netting so that the entire system can stop high-energy vessels.
  • Low maintenance – uses composite materials, is a simple system structure, and has as few parts as possible to support easy and low-cost inspection and maintenance.
  • Low operational cost – making the system light and keeping the wind, current, and wave loading on the system as low as practical gives operators the ability to easily open/close gates.

Expertise and Service

  • Expert installation – teams include divers and marine constructors with over 30 years experience working with each other.
  • Anchor placement and mooring arrangements – placing anchors on the seabed requires skills that few teams can offer.
  • Fosters local partnerships – local sub-contractors join the team when qualified, gaining work skills and technology training.
  • Life-cycle value – team experts provide life-cycle cost estimates to be used in formulating investment and insurance calculations and in selecting the system that meets the customer’s needs.
Harbor Offshore Barriers' PSB 5500 schematic
PSB 5500 barrier system typical elevation.
PSB 5500 high-density polyethylene pontoon section
High density polyethylene pontoon section – PSB 5500.
PSB 5500 port security barrier
PSB 5500 – Harbor Offshore Barriers’ highest ultimate and working stopping barrier product..