“The purpose of the PASSport (Operational Platform managing a fleet of semi-autonomous drones exploiting GNSS high Accuracy and Authentication to improve Security & Safety in port areas) is to design and qualify a solution that extends situation awareness to improve security in port areas. The need arises from directive 2005/65/EC which suggests integrating surveillance systems for the entire port area, in order to guarantee a high and equal level of safety and protection for all European ports. About a thousand European ports fall within the scope of the directive. Consequently, PASSport responds to the needs expressed by port authorities, port authorities and border control authorities who are active parts of the consortium and will be directly involved in the definition of the proposed solutions. In fact, the proposed solution is preparing to complete the already operational platforms by extending the surveillance perimeter using a fleet of drones to provide innovation and operational support to the safety and security aspects of daily operations with particular attention to:
• Pollution monitoring (safety)
• Electronic navigation support (safety) The PATHfinder solution is based on the use of a scalable fleet of tethered aerial drones (MTD) / aerial (AD) / underwater (UD) / ground rover (RD) providing situation awareness solutions in scenarios BVLOS (beyond line of sight)