The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has developed a new system which allows smaller boats to be lowered off navy frigates in seconds, even if the frigate is moving or turning around.
The system is the only one of its kind in the world, and it allows the navy to respond more quickly to pirate activity.
It can also counter drugsmuggling, and be used in search and seizure missions.
Niel Goslett, the programme manager for the research team of the CSIR davit system, said: "The navy needed a way to retrofit their frigates to quickly project people in boats for anti-piracy missions on the east coast of Africa."
According to Goslett, the davit system has already drawn international interest from Brazil, Italy and countries around the Horn of Africa, where piracy is rampant.
Matipa Mwamuka, speaking on behalf of the NGO Activists Networking Against the Exploitation of Children, said the system would aid the navy in clamping down on human trafficking.
She said: "The international Organisation for Migration has been looking into this area of trafficking and this [davit system] will help in countering it."
The South African Navy was not available for comment.
Source: The Times
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
