Request Briefing

Vessel Arrest
Fence

The first British maritime barrier with NPSA approval. A scalable, above-water security fence for ports, harbours, nuclear facilities, and critical waterside assets.

Product Overview

A passive, highly visible deterrent that stops attack vessels before they can cause damage

The Vessel Arrest Fence creates an above-water security zone to protect assets from unauthorised maritime intrusion. Designed to complement onsite force protection for ships, harbours, ports, offshore platforms, nuclear facilities, and waterside assets, it provides a highly visible fence-like barrier that physically stops and captures threatening vessels.

"The Vessel Arrest Fence completed successful competitive trials to reach NPSA approval — the first British maritime barrier to achieve this designation."

Scalable by both height and diameter, the fence is designed and adjusted to suit various local current and weather conditions. It can be installed at any tidal or non-tidal venue, and operated — towed, opened, and closed — by a small boat or via automated and manual operating options. Manufactured to any length, to customer specification.

1.2m
Minimum fence height
2.4m
Maximum fence height
100m
Maximum mooring buoy interval
NPSA
First British maritime barrier with NPSA approval
System Characteristics

Built for permanent protection and rapid deployment

Passive & Highly Visible Deterrent

The above-water fence structure provides a clear, unmistakable security zone boundary. Its visibility alone acts as a powerful deterrent before any interception is required.

Scalable to the Threat

Height from 1.2m to 2.4m, adjustable diameter, and manufactured to any length. The fence is designed and configured to suit local current, weather, and threat conditions.

Swarm & Repetitive Attack Resistance

The Vessel Arrest Fence is engineered to withstand repetitive single craft attacks and simultaneous swarm attacks, maintaining the integrity of the security perimeter throughout.

Flexible Installation

Permanent or temporary configuration. Can be towed, opened, and closed by a small boat, or operated via automated or manual control options. Suitable for tidal and non-tidal environments.

IALA & IMO Compliant

Manufactured in standard IALA sections with mooring buoys at intervals no greater than 100 metres, in full compliance with current maritime zoning legislation.

Custom Specification

Manufactured to customer-required lengths and colours. Yellow as standard, with full bespoke options available to meet site-specific requirements and operational preferences.

Unique Capability

PWC Capture Solution

A unique feature of the Vessel Arrest Fence is its ability to not merely stop a personal watercraft — it physically captures and holds the watercraft in place. This distinguishes the fence from all other maritime barriers and provides a decisive tactical advantage in scenarios involving jet skis and personal watercraft.

The system is engineered to withstand both repetitive single craft attacks and simultaneous swarm attacks, maintaining the integrity of the security perimeter throughout. A great system for deterring or stopping small boats and jet skis — the Vessel Arrest Fence is a fully scalable system.

01

Stop & Capture

Does not just stop — physically captures and holds personal watercraft in place.

02

Swarm Attack Resistance

Engineered to withstand simultaneous multiple craft attacks without perimeter failure.

03

Repetitive Impact Tolerance

Maintains structural integrity through repeated single craft impact events.

PWC Capture Solution
Unique Capability
PWC Capture Solution — physically holds the watercraft
Approval & Certification

The first British maritime barrier with NPSA approval

The Vessel Arrest Fence is independently tested and approved by the UK Home Office, Department of Transport, and the National Protective Security Authority — making it the first British maritime barrier to reach NPSA approval following a rigorous competitive trial process.

It is deployed in ports and used for protective maritime security at international and national government meetings, as well as Olympic maritime protection. The fence has demonstrated real-world performance across a wide range of operational environments, from major event security through to permanent critical infrastructure protection.

Trust Vessel Arrest Systems to deliver your need — from manufacturing through to training and through-life support.
NPSA
National Protective Security Authority
First British maritime barrier with NPSA approval
HO
UK Home Office
Security & policing approval
DoT
Department of Transport
Maritime regulation
IALA
IALA & IMO Compliant
Zoning legislation & standard sections
Providing critical protection with proven less than lethal systems that stop potentially threatening boats or other watercraft.
Trust Vessel Arrest Systems.