BY ERIC MORATH
emorath@mbizreview.com

Wave Dispersion Technologies Inc. partnered with Siemens Building Technologies to win a $2.9 million contract to install waterborne security barriers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

For Sylvan Lake-based Wave Dispersion, the 10,000-foot barrier is the company’s largest ever project. The company designs rapidly deployable buoy and breakwater systems for military and homeland security purposes.

Securing the California ports deal could push Wave Dispersion further into the port-protection sector. To date, a majority of the firm’s applications have been installed at military sites such as the U.S. Navy’s Kings Bay, Ga., submarine base.

“We’re already getting calls from other ports,” Managing Director Jonathan Smith said. “The Port of Los Angeles is the country’s largest commercial port; when they make a move, others follow.” Smith would not disclose his company’s take of the port contract but said it will help Wave Dispersion reach its 2006 revenue goal of $10 million.

Siemens is the lead installer of the project. Wave Dispersion, which has 10 employees, designs the systems and then contracts the production.

The waterborne barriers contract came from the ports’ $26.6 million share of the Transportation Security
Administration’s Port Security grants. Smith said other ports have yet to spend their grant money.

“We expect to announce several more deals in the coming months,” he said. “With the remaining
grants that are out, port security maybe our largest segment going forward.”

Wave Dispersion has also deployed security systems for asset protection, or secure the waterfront near dams, power plants and other potential targets.

Wave Dispersion originally designed its WhisprWave technology as an anti-beach erosion device, but when the Navy requested to study and then use the system as a line of demarcation, the company shifted its focus to security.

The system, essentially cross shaped buoys connected with steel cables, provides a similar barrier to concrete break walls, but since WhisprWave can be rapidly deployed and recoiled it doesn’t create the mobility problems for boats or ships.

For the Los Angeles project, Wave Dispersion implemented a cost savings measure that Smith coined “the L.A. SCIB.” To limited the number of buoys needed to extend 10,000 feet, a 12 spacer was placed between each buoy. Smith said it provides a similar level of security as if the buoys touched each other.

In addition to the WhisprWave system, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are implementing security cameras, purchased two patrol boats and installed a new screening system.

■ Eric Morath covers technology for Oakland Business Review.

Blog Tags: Antiterrorism, Counterterrorism, Force Protection, Homeland Security, Maritime Security, Port Security, Homeland Security, Wave Dispersion Technologies, WhisprWave®, Small Craft Intrusion Barrier™, Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach