Vessel Detection

Overview

Development stage

DeployedSource: c) Deployed – The use case is being actively authorized or utilized to support the functions or mission of an agency.

High-impact designation

Presumed high-impact, determined notSource: b) Presumed high-impact, but determined not high impact

Impact justification

The computer vision application scans a large grid within the viewshed of the high-definition camera. It then attempts to detect small vessels detecting entering and exiting small waterways in and around the area the camera is deployed. System is calibrated to detect to identify inbound and outbound traffic. When it detects a vessel it sends and image to the cloud for user review and determination if any follow-up action is required. The AI output does not serve as a principal basis for decisions or actions related to the definition of High-Impact AI.

Start date

2025-07-28 (day precision)Source: 2025-07-28T00:00:00

Withheld from public reporting

Not reported

Mission

Topic area

Law Enforcement

Operational functions

No function tag matched Derived by keyword rules; see methodology

Problem the AI is intended to solve

The system uses AI-enhanced technologies and analytics to improve maritime detection and tracking in areas with significant trade and recreational water vessel activity. The system increases situational awareness and responsiveness to potential threats, assisting human operators in identifying and classifying vessels of interest. Agents can define a search area with specific criteria, which is transmitted to sensors. Detected images are analyzed by AI algorithms that filter, detect, and categorize objects into Items of Interest (IoI) or other objects. IoIs are shared across detection systems and tracked seamlessly across multiple sensors, while non-relevant objects are excluded. This approach enhances efficiency in detecting and addressing IoIs, particularly during high-traffic periods, by providing alerts and tracking information to human operators.

Expected benefits

Current surveillance technology does not have machine assisted classification of targets on screen, making it harder for human operators to decipher legitimate from illegitimate traffic in times of high volumes of legitimate traffic. Project intends to support human operator identification and classification of potential illicit vessels. Benefits would be more efficient detection and resolution of IOIs, especially during times of high-volume traffic.

System outputs

Alerts and tracks of detected Items of Interest (IOI)s to human operator workstations.

Technology

AI classification

Computer visionSource: Computer Vision: AI that processes and interprets visual data (e.g., images and videos).

System name(s)

Not reported

Custom-developed code

Yes

Public source code

Not reported

Sourcing

How it was built

Contract and in-houseSource: c) Developed with both contracting and in-house resources

Vendor (as reported)

JHU APL

Vendors (standardized)

None on the standard list

A vendor is the supplier named by the agency. It does not identify the underlying model or AI technology.

Data and privacy

Involves PII

No

Privacy Impact Assessment

Not reported

Authorization to Operate

No

Demographic features

Not reported

Training and evaluation data

CBP images of open water ways for vessels.

Federal Data Catalog

Not reported

Governance

0 of 8 minimum-practice questions answered. A blank answer means the agency reported nothing; it does not mean the practice is absent.

Potential impacts and how they were identified

Not reported