Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. have developed
a Small Craft Intrusion Barrier™ (SCIB™) deployed with the US Military and
various government agencies and commercial interests.
The WhisprWave® SCIB™ has, according to the
manufacturer, unparalleled durability and has been designed for the most
adverse marine conditions, including winds of 80+ knots.
The SCIB™ can be configured as a swinging gate
with end point attachment slings to provide for an enclosed protected
area, but with the possibility of opening the area immediately. By using
a small craft of sufficient power (8 metre craft, twin outboards of 130
horsepower +) the SCIB™ can be swung on a pivot point to allow for large
craft to pass. In this wa a base or facility can be completely enclosed
and protected, but ready for the quick movement of large vessels, if conditions
require.
A 300 foot SCIB™ was installed in cooperation
with the USN. The completed SCIB™ has four anchor points, each of which
consists of at least a 3 ton chncrete anchor. It also has attachment points
at the East Channel Marker Buoy and a designated shore point. The orange
coloured modules are filled with marine grade foam and are unsinkable
regardless of penetration. The ratio of orange to white modules is 1 to
2 providing 720 pounds of assured buoyancy every four feet.
The SCIB™'s modular construction allows for its
use as a platform to mount a multitude of security technologies including,
warning signs, surface detection units, anti-intrusion instruments, swimmer
detection devices and capture nets both on the surface and underwater.
The SCIB™ requires no maintenance other than
a suggested annual inspection, therefore, the demands on Security personnel
and equipment are virtually eliminated.
The SCIB™ is normally built on site and pulled
into the water for placement over pre-positioned anchors. The installation
time depends on facilities available and sea-state but the barrier for
the USN was built and installed in 3 days using a crew of 4 and some USN
water craft.
The WhisprWave® modules used in the construction
of the SCIB™ have proven to be both extremely durable and environmentally
friendly, according to Wave Dispersion Technologies. They claim the WhisprWave®
has no adverse impact on the environment and in fact has been formally
review and or permitted by US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS, NY Department
of Conservation (NYDES), CT Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP),
the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and many other agencies who continue
to find new venues for the product.
