Port Security, Maritime Security, and Homeland Security Blog

VideoRay & BlueView Announces National Port Security Tour

2009-06-30T14:16:00.016-05:00

VideoRay, Micro ROV Technology, and BlueView Technologies, miniature multibeam imaging sonar, announce their national port security tour.

Port environments across the country play host to a number of challenging underwater conditions and situations:

Low Visibilty
High Current or Flow
Emergency Situations
Constant Threats.

The combined VideoRay and Blue View system can be used for a wide variety of missions, including:

Diver Interdiction and Tracking
Berth and Hull IED Detection
Harbor Bottom Inspection
Search & Recovery
Infastructure Inspection

The combined VideoRay and Blue View system delivers the following features and benefits:

High Definition Multibeam Imaging Sonar for long, medium, and close range target detection and identification in low to zero visibility conditions
Real Time ROV Video Enhancement for low and zero visibility underwater conditions
Non-Acoustic "Drop & Go" ROV Positioning System built into your tether configuration
Proven ROV platform with powerful brushless thrusters, hull inspections crawler feature, high intensity LED lighting, one button video and still photograph capture which is depth rated up to 300 meters (1,000 feet) - all delivered in rugged portable / stowable Pelican cases. The system is one man deployable with no support vessel or crew required for quick operation.

TOUR DATES AND LOCATIONS

New England

Boston: 6-Jul-09
New Haven: -7-Jul-09

Mid Atlantic

New York: 8-Jul-09
Baltimore/Washington: 9-Jul-09
Norfolk: 10-Jul-09

Southeast

Wilmington, NC: 13-Jul-09
Charleston: 14-Jul-09
Savannah: 15-Jul-09
Jacksonville: 16-Jul-09
Port Canaveral: 20-Jul-09
Miami: 21-Jul-09
Tampa: 22-Jul-09
Panama City: 24-Jul-09

Gulf Coast

New Orleans: 4-Aug-09
Gulf Coast: 5-Aug-09
Houston: 7-Aug-09

West Coast

Las Vegas: 12-Aug-09
San Diego: 17-Aug-09
Los Angeles: 18-Aug-09
San Francisco: 20-Aug-09
Portland: 24-Aug-09
Seattle: 26-Aug-09
Tacoma: 28-Aug-09

Midwest

St. Louis: 11-Sep-09
Chicago: 14-Sep-09
Indianapolis: 15-Sep-09
Detroit: 16-Sep-09
Cleveland: 17-Sep-09
Columbus/Pittsburgh: 18-Sep-09

Small Boats, Big Worries: Thwarting Terrorist Attacks from the Sea

2009-03-03T20:46:00.004-05:00

Excellent article on small craft homeland security related issues from the The Heritage Foundation.

Small Boats, Big Worries: Thwarting Terrorist Attacks from the Sea

Interesting excerpt:

The Small-Boat Threat

The definition of "small-boat threat" encompasses a variety of possible weapon-delivery vehicles, tactics, and payloads. Vessels include everything from large craft such as small freighters, large privately owned yachts, fishing trawlers, and commercial tugs to dinghies, jet-skies, and submarines, including mini-submarines like those used by the Japanese in the attack on Pearl Harbor.

An attack could involve suicide bombers, as in the case of the attack on the USS Cole, or vessels on autopilot or remotely controlled. Improvised explosive devices could be delivered or emplaced by boats or swimmers (assisted or unassisted by breathing devices). This could involve placing a "parasite" on the hull of a craft or deploying tethered (anchored to the sea bottom) or untethered (floating) mines in a sea lane, waterway, or port traffic area.

Besides conventional explosives, the bombers could detonate nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological devices. Attacks could occur while the targeted ship is docked at shore, approaching a port, sailing in international waters, or in U.S. or Canadian coastal waterways. In addition to ships, attacks could target port facilities; commercial infrastructure (e.g., an entertainment pier, bridge piling, or pipeline); or public events.

No Silver Bullet for Thwarting Terrorists Aboard Small Boats

2009-03-03T20:31:00.002-05:00

Excellent article on small craft homeland security related issues from the National Defense Industrial Association.

No Silver Bullet for Thwarting Terrorists Aboard Small Boats

Interesting excerpt:

The 9/11 attacks proved that terrorists can use virtually any vehicle to strike.

Small boats are no exception. And experts agree they will remain a weapon of choice in the maritime environment, given their low cost, ease of deployment and success record.

“I have believed for the last two years since I’ve been commandant that the small vessel threat is something that we need to look at and consider more seriously,” said Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen.

Small boats can hide in the clutter of military, commercial and recreational vessel traffic at U.S. ports, where unregulated pleasure craft buzz near high-profile military and commercial ships — prime targets for terrorists.

In the past, local law enforcement was tasked with defending ports from small boats. Now DHS is moving toward more interagency cooperation and an increased use of technology to tackle the threat. But its plans are no silver bullet, and recreational boaters fret over the consequences.

Small boats provide terrorists with a myriad of options. They could be used in suicide attacks, as was the case in 2000 when al-Qaida operatives in Yemen rammed an explosives-laden dinghy into the USS Cole, killing 17 U.S. sailors. They could attack ships docked at shore, entering ports or sailing off the coast. They could deliver nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological devices, or be used to mine harbors, wrote James Carafano, senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, in a paper entitled, “Small Boats, Big Worries: Thwarting Terrorist Attacks from the Sea.”

Wave Dispersion Technologies Signs $100 million Floating Security Barrier Agreement

2009-03-02T07:53:00.006-05:00

Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. Signs Partnership Agreement with Abu Dhabi’s International Golden Group, Initial Value in excess of $100 million USD

WhisprWave® Floating Security Barrier Solutions (FSB’s) Deployed for the Protection of Critical Maritime Infrastructure in UAE

Abu Dhabi, UAE, Summit, NJ, March 2, 2009- Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. (WDT) and International Golden Group (IGG) have entered into a strategic partnership agreement for the provision of Floating Security Barriers (FSB) / Vessel Exclusion Barriers (VEB) to be installed at critical maritime infrastructure sites in the UAE encompassing oil, gas, power generation, and desalination facilities.

The contract covers 3 years, including the initial contract period with options, and has a value of USD $100 million, if all options are exercised and performance incentives are achieved. The initial production of the contract is being manufactured in Norfolk, VA, USA. The contract provides that WDT will utilize its WhisprWave® Technology to ultimately manufacture FSB components locally in the UAE and provide related maritime services in support of the protective systems.

The initial phase of this agreement is to undertake a pilot project at one of the critical maritime infrastructure sites in Abu Dhabi. Following a successful pilot project with security issues achieved as planned, the partnership agreement will be extended to cover other critical maritime infrastructure sites within the UAE.

The FSB is designed with inherent flexibility to provide a platform that enables the addition of CCTV, Radar, Sonar, Anti-Swimmer Detection and Anti-Intrusion Detection Systems. Moreover, the system will act as a limited wave attenuator and with the addition of an attached oil boom will limit the affected area of oil spills.

According to Mr. Fadil Al Kaabi, CEO of IGG, “This partnership represents a great example of the cooperation between the UAE and USA in sharing technology and expertise to help secure our critical national maritime infrastructure. We look forward to working with WDT to further market this technology throughout the Middle East.”

According to Dennis G. Smith, CEO of WDT, “WDT has successfully marketed and installed its WhisprWave® Technology in the USA, and elsewhere, but this agreement represents a true extension and prime example of cooperation by the USA to meet the UAE’s need for cutting edge technologies and foresight to proactively protect its critical maritime infrastructure. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with IGG.”

About Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc.:
www.whisprwave.com - The Global Leader in Maritime Homeland Port Security Barrier & Buoy Protection Systems

Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. (WDT) has developed the patented WhisprWave® floating articulated breakwater technology to afford erosion control protection to shoreline beaches, coastal marinas, anchorages, and other areas subject to destructive erosive wave / wake forces. In addition the WhisprWave® security barrier designs are currently installed, being demonstrated or being reviewed by many US Government Agencies and Foreign Sovereigns including but not limited to the US Army Corp of Engineers "USACE", US Navy "USN", US Coast Guard "USCG", US Army "USA", USMC MEF Iraq, US Bureau of Reclamation "USBR", UAE CNIA, NAOC, and other clients for applications that range from Homeland Security / Force Protection to Beach Erosion Protection to Marina Wave & Wake Protection.

WhisprWave® breakwater technology has wide ranging maritime applications from erosion control to homeland security. The Company has been developing the technology for over 10 years and holds 9 Domestic and International Patents for the WhisprWave®'s unique design and utility, with an additional 23 patents pending.

WDT is a Listed Featured Private Company on www.homelanddefensestocks.com, www.borderandportsecurity.com, and the Investor Ideas Home page www.investorideas.com

About International Golden Group:

International Golden Group LLC is a well established company in Abu Dhabi-UAE specialized in providing High-end Security & Defense Solutions with an excellent reputation in the UAE and Gulf market.

IGG has entered into long-term strategic business alliances with other local and international companies relying on a professional team of highly dedicated and experienced personnel along with a worldwide network of agents and affiliates committed to providing high- level services to its customers.

Through the implementation of the latest advanced technology, IGG is now capable to supply a variety of military, security, civilian and COTS products and technical solutions for various purposes related to the security needs of its clients.
International Golden Group LLC has positioned itself to become soon a first-class manufacturer of special products for the local and regional defense markets.

Contact:
Managing Director
Jonathan B. Smith
248-229-9010
jbsmith@whisprwave.com

Media / Investors:
Dawn Van Zant, dvanzant@HomelandDefenseStocks.com
www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com, www.InvestorIdeas.com

Source: Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc

WDT CEO Meets with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Announces AED 67 mm Contract

2009-02-26T09:26:00.002-05:00

Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. (WDT) Chairman and CEO Dennis G. Smith meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Mr. Mohammed Al Ka’abi, IGG’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, at the WDT's trade show booth at IDEX. They spent about five minutes discussing a number of issues about WDT's recently announced contract to provide Floating Security Barriers (FSB's) to the Critical National Infrastructure Authority.

CNIA and IGG sign AED 67 million contract for security water barriers

ABU DHABI, 25th Feb. 2009 (WAM): The Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA) has signed an agreement with International Golden Group (IGG) to construct water security barrier systems in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The three-year agreement is worth AED 67 million. The agreement was signed at IDEX 2009 by CNIA’s Director General, Brigadier Engineer Muhair Ali Al Khateri, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of IGG, Mr. Mohammed Hilal Sorour Al Ka'abi. Present at the signing ceremony were a number of officials from CNIA and IGG.

Brigadier Engineer Al Khateri said, "The agreement aims to protect the coastal critical infrastructure and prevent attempts to sabotage or damage them. The agreement also aims to prevent environmental pollution by stopping and containing oil spills, indicating protected areas, and providing security and protection for oil tankers through controlling routes. The agreement also seeks to secure smooth oil export operations and minimize risks to water conditions up to 40% during bad weather." He added that in addition to high durability and resistance, the water security barriers are characterized by high elasticity, easy installation and mobility on any area. The barriers are designed to provide maritime homeland security by allowing for radars, observation cameras and rooms and weapons platforms. These types of security barriers are in use in the United States, Nigeria and other countries.

Mr. Mohammed Al Ka’abi, IGG’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, "IGG has built a strategic partnership with Wave Dispersion Technologies, a leading U.S. manufacturer of several designs of a modular water barrier system known as WhisprWave, which meets the requirements of critical sites." He further noted that IGG is showcasing its exclusive new defence systems at IDEX 2009.

SCIB Featured on the Cover of "Pacific Maritime Magazine"

2008-06-23T14:35:00.012-05:00

WhisprWave® Small Craft Intrusion Barrier™ ("SCIB™") installation at the Port of Los Angeles was featured on the cover of Pacific Maritime Magazine's June 2008 Issue (See Below).

Port of LA Security Exercises Features WhisprWave® Small Craft Intrusion Barrier™ ("SCIB™") Deployment

2008-04-24T07:30:00.012-05:00

The Port of Los Angeles successfully deployed the WhisprWave® Small Craft Intrusion Barrier™ ("SCIB™") during a port security exercise yesterday.

Floating Security Barrier + Erosion Control - Dual Capabilities

2007-11-11T07:51:00.000-05:00

We just took a look at our installation at USCG ISC Almeda CA, on Google Earth, and were amazed to see, that in addition to physical security, the Small Craft Intrusion Barrier™ (SCIB™) installation was also providing wave attenuation protection to the security zone (Note: Ripples in the channel and calm water inside the security zone).

The WhisprWave® line of products were originally invented and designed to serve as an erosion control solution and evolved, due to market demand, into a range port security applications. The attached photo demonstrates the dual capabilities of the system, better than we could have ever hoped.

We are continually amazed by the flexibility, survivability, scalability and range of applications of the WhisprWave® line of floating security barriers and floating breakwaters.

If you want to know more about how WhisprWave® can help you with your waterside security or erosion control solutions, please feel free to contact us at 908.233.7503 or info@whisprwave.com.

Government Lacks Clear Plans to ID Small Vessels Used as Terrorist Weapons

2007-11-07T20:46:00.000-05:00

Excerpt from "National Defense Magazine"

Small boats have been used by terrorists to carry out attacks around the world and they are likely to be employed as weapons in U.S. waterways, the government has recently warned.

Officials believe small vessels — defined as those less than 300 gross tons — are a potential threat because they are easy to obtain and there are few defenses in place to stop them from being used as a platform to launch an attack.

“We are very concerned about people doing harm with small vessels because we have breaches every week,” said Dana Goward, director of Coast Guard maritime domain awareness. An estimated 14 unidentified boats reach U.S. shores each week.

DHS and the Coast Guard have put the spotlight on the possibility of such an attack, emphasizing the need to protect U.S. waterways. But despite efforts to create new security measures, officials are failing to garner the support of small boat owners and operators because of the lack of a clear, cohesive plan.

Full Story

Michigan Homeland Security Consortium Hosts 9-11 Conference

2007-09-13T19:20:00.000-05:00

On September 11, 2007, Jonathan B Smith, President of Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc., had the privilege of presenting to members of the Michigan Homeland Security Consortium, industry experts and legislators in Lansing, MI. He was part of a panel discussion on maritime security issues and delivered a speech entitled "Daring to be Different in Business." The goal of his presentation was to provide other homeland security professionals with some business strategies to help tap into the homeland security market. He was honored to be asked to serve on the panel on 9-11 and felt that it was part of his patriotic duty to be part of the conference.

Los Angeles Tightens Up on Port Security

2007-08-29T14:00:00.000-05:00

Excerpt from Siemens publication "Building Up"

The port of Los Nagels now has the capability to respond to heightened threat levels through the deployment of a floating-security barrier designed by SBT (Siemens Building Technologies)

pkr. Under the watchword of "homeland security", efforts to strenghten internal and external national security are continually being stepped up. Greater attention is being paid to the security of ports, particularly in the USA itself, with special spotlight on the major international US container ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in Southern California. (Siemens) Building Technologies was awarded a 2.9 million dollar contract to design approximately 30000 meter of floating security barrier for these two key ports. In the event of a security alert the floating barrier can be rapidly deployed to prevent smaller unauthorized vessels from entering the inner harbor or getting close to high-risk targets. The security barriers constructed from steel cables and floating plastic modules each 7.5 meters long, are build to withstand the most adverse weather conditions. The barriers are fabricated by Wave Dispersion Technologies. In collaboration with the manufacturer, SBT has succeeded in providing a new custom-build design within the given budget constraints.

Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. Ranks No. 203 on the 2007 Inc. 500

2007-08-23T09:50:00.000-05:00

MEDIA CONTACT: Jonathan B. Smith, 248.229.9010, jbsmith@whisprwave.com

Inc. Magazine Reveals Its 26th Annual List of America’s
500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies

Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. Ranks No. 203 on the 2007 Inc. 500
With Three-Year Sales Growth of 1,060%

NEW YORK, August 23, 2007 – Inc. magazine today ranked Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. No. 2003 (Click Here) on its 26th annual Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.

“If you want to find out which companies are going to change the world, look at the Inc. 500,” said Inc. Editor Jane Berentson. “These are the most innovative, dynamic, fast-growth companies in the nation, the ones coming up with solutions to some of our most intractable ills, creating systems that let us conduct business faster and easier, and manufacturing products we soon discover we can’t live without. The Inc. 500 list is Inc. magazine’s tribute to American business ingenuity and ambition.”

Wave Dispersion is a company that has a patented product called WhisprWave®, which creates marine security barriers and also floating articulated breakwaters. The technology was developed in 1998 and was first installed at that time as a breakwater. Then in 2000, the U.S. Navy asked us to design a security barrier for protection of their ships and ports. Since the USS Cole was attacked in 2001 and the 9/11 attack, the company has grown substantially. Our product, called the Small Craft Intrusion Barrier or SCIB, is now the standard product in the world. It has been installed in the United States and also overseas.

The 2007 Inc. 500, as revealed in the September issue of Inc. magazine (on newsstands August 28 – October 2), reported aggregate revenue of $16 billion and median three-year growth of 939 percent. Most important, the 2007 Inc. 500 companies were engines of job growth, having created more than 64,064 jobs since those companies were founded.

Complete information on this year’s Inc. 500, including company profiles and a list of the fastest-growing companies that can be sorted by industry and region can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.

Hottest Regions for Fastest-Growing Companies
After several years of losing ground to the Washington, D.C., area, California is flush with 81 Inc. 500 companies in 2007, up from 66 last year. Texas is home to 38 of the fastest-growing companies (up by six), followed by Virginia with 35 (up one company from last year), and New York with 26 (down by eight companies), and Florida with 26 (up one company).

Washington, D.C., is the top metropolitan area for the fifth consecutive year, with 40 of the fastest-growing companies, down slightly from 43 last year. New York City is a close second, with 38 (down four companies from last year), followed by San Francisco with 26 (up seven companies from last year), Los Angeles with 25 (no change), and Boston with 22 (down two companies).

Interestingly, finance and advertising--two industries often associated with New York--contributed a quarter of California’s total.

Hottest Industries for Fastest-Growing Businesses
The most notable median growth categories among Inc. magazine’s list of the 500 fastest-growing businesses is in the Environmental Services category (which grew by 1,425.4 percent on average), followed by Food & Beverage (which grew by 1336.8 percent on average), Media (which grew by 1,179 percent on average), Health (which grew by 1,105.5 percent on average), and Telecommunications (which grew by 1,056.5 percent on average).

The largest business category is IT Services, with 55 Inc. 500 companies in this category. Advertising & Marketing and Human Resources (both with 48 companies), Government Services (38 companies), and Software (37 companies) round out the top five industries ranked on the 2007 Inc. 500.

Industries reporting the highest total revenue from 2003 – 2006 are Health ($3.2 billion), Real Estate ($2.1 billion), Advertising & Marketing ($1.14 billion), Human Resources ($883 million), and Retail ($873.6 million).

Methodology
The 2007 Inc. 500 list measures revenue growth from 2003 through 2006. To qualify, companies had to be U.S.-based and privately held, independent – not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies – as of December 31, 2006, and have had at least $200,000 in revenue in 2003, and $2 million in 2006.

Companies can apply for next year’s Inc. 500 and Inc. 5,000 by registering with IncBizNet, the new social network for private companies that will launch this fall on Inc.com.

Introducing the Inc. 5,000 – the Inc. 500, Plus 4,500 New Fast-Growing Companies
This year, Inc. expanded the Inc. 500 list tenfold, to create the first-ever Inc. 5,000, the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy – America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs. Complete results of the Inc. 5,000 can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000, where you can scan profiles of honorees, view lists of the fastest-growing companies by industry and region, and sort the data according to your own parameters.

About WDT: http://www.whisprwave.com/
The Global Leader in Maritime Homeland Port Security Barrier & Buoy Protection SystemsWave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. (WDT) has developed the patented WhisprWave® floating articulated breakwater technology to afford erosion control protection to shoreline beaches, coastal marinas, anchorages, and other areas subject to destructive erosion wave / wake forces. The WhisprWave® barrier designs are currently installed, being demonstrated or being reviewed by many US Agencies including but not limited to the US Army Corp of Engineers "USACE", US Navy "USN", US Coast Guard "USCG", US Army “USA” and US Bureau of Reclamation “USBR” for applications that range from Homeland Security / Force Protection to Beach Erosion Protection to Marina Wave & Wake Protection.WhisprWave® breakwater technology has wide ranging maritime applications from erosion control to homeland security. The Company has been developing the technology for several years and holds 8 Domestic and International Patents for the WhisprWave®'s unique design and utility, with an additional 20 patents pending.

About Inc. magazine:
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, LLC., Inc. magazine (http://www.inc.com/) is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. With a total paid circulation of 681,421, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology.

Screening system protects ports from deadly cargo

2007-07-05T19:43:00.000-05:00

(PopSci.com) -- To security experts, the immense cargo ships that ferry more than 11 million containers into this country annually are potential Trojan horses -- each one could easily harbor a WMD, such as a dirty bomb.

Typically, only once the ships have been unloaded is their cargo subjected to random inspections and radiation scans. "There is an urgent need to effectively screen cargo before it reaches the ports," says Charles Meade, a senior scientist at the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit think tank.

Now Florida start-up SeaAway has developed a security system that would move cargo screening 14 miles offshore to the safety of the open seas. The plan calls for pairs of 100-foot-wide platforms anchored outside the world's major ports. Equipped with an array of sensors and unmanned surveillance drones, the system monitors for chemical, biological and nuclear traces as ships travel between the platforms.

SeaAway proposes a passage fee of $20 per container -- roughly double average port fees -- to help authorities offset the $100-million cost of each system. Tax breaks for shippers could help curb costs, notes Steve Kroecker, SeaAway's founder and vice president.

Full Story

Rules Skirted, Millions Wasted on Navy Boat Barriers

2007-05-24T13:52:00.001-05:00

By Scott Higham and Robert O'Harrow Jr.
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, May 24, 2007; A01
Full Story

Excerpt from the story:

After the Cole bombing, the Navy decided it would deploy hundreds of 82-foot-long, 8-foot-wide, floating rubberized barriers to prevent terrorists from getting close to its ships while in port. The barriers would be held in place by a system of anchors, large foam buoys and chains. A network of underwater sensors would detect potential threats.

NCIS had preferred contractors it wanted to hire for the job, auditors would find, and it did not want to undertake an elaborate and time-consuming open competition for the work.

So NCIS turned to the GSA and a program at the time reserved for small businesses that permitted government agencies to hire companies without seeking traditional bids. The program allowed government officials to buy products and services directly from companies after their prices for labor and overhead had been approved by GSA contracting officials. GSA collects user fees from companies for helping to facilitate those kinds of transactions.

In the boat-barrier case, the GSA, at the request of NCIS, selected Northern NEF of Colorado Springs as the prime contractor for the project, documents show.

Northern was a small technology firm -- small enough that did not have to compete under federal rules for government contracts unless they were worth more than $3 million. It had never worked on a boat-barrier project before, but it had worked for the Pentagon on other projects.

Northern was told by NCIS officials to hire P-Con Consulting of Alexandria. The company's sole employee was Patrick Condon, who already worked as a security consultant to NCIS. Condon received a title for his role in the project: deputy program manager for Navy boat barriers.

"Northern NEF officials said they had been directed by the Navy to procure the barriers through the consulting firm instead of dealing directly with the manufacturer," auditors wrote in a 2004 report. "We found documentary evidence that showed the consulting firm was the Navy's 'recommended' contractor."

P-Con, in turn, hired a company in England to manufacture the barriers and one in Northern Virginia to install them.

The former director of government programs for Northern, Dave Nelson, said in a recent interview that he did not know why NCIS selected his company or why his company was directed to hire P-Con.

"Northern played middleman," Nelson said.

Northern stayed below the $3 million threshold when it sought payments for the work from the GSA, invoices show. Each individual payment was approved by NCIS and the GSA as though they were separate projects, even though the work was being done under one contract.

Federal contracting regulations prohibit splitting up payments to avoid competition limits.

"Almost all of the over $53 million in boat barrier harbor tasks we analyzed were split to avoid the competitive threshold," GSA auditors wrote in their report.

Between September 2001 and February 2003, at least 30 invoices came in under the $3 million limit. Three examples:

· 55 boat barriers for $2.6 million on Sept. 28, 2001.
· 24 for $1.4 million on Oct. 1.
· 58 for $2.9 million on Oct. 12.

On May 9, 2002, three invoices came in for an identical amount -- $2,956,762 each. On Feb. 14, 2003, six invoices came in for $2,678,813 apiece.

GSA officials later told auditors they "believed each order represented a discrete boat-barrier system installed at a discrete harbor, but this was clearly not the case."

Nelson said Northern officials knew the project was being structured to stay beneath the $3 million cap. But he said company officials believed that it was being done properly by NCIS and GSA in the interests of speed and national security.

"It was pretty obvious what they were doing," said Nelson, who is now at another company. "We figured somebody who was in authority knew what they were doing. We didn't go out and try to win this work. It just came our way."

At each step in the process, Northern and P-Con received a percentage of the proceeds from the project.

For example, the base cost for each boat barrier was supposed to be $45,250. Northern charged a 4.8 percent fee for "acting as GSA's order administrator," the auditors said. P-Con charged a 7.5 percent on all expenses as a "Consultant Markup." The final cost to taxpayers for each boat barrier was $50,978.65, auditors estimated.

Even larger markups took place for the installation of the barriers and the buoys to hold them in place, documents show. The base cost for each buoy was supposed to be $31,000. The company responsible for installing the barriers added a 9.8 percent administrative fee and another unspecified 20 percent fee. Company officials told auditors the fees were the standard industry markup.

Northern charged another 5 percent fee. The final cost to taxpayers for each buoy was $42,825.68, documents show.

"Millions of dollars were wasted by compensating the contractors for doing little more than placing orders with other favored contractors to do the actual work," the auditors said.

Resources:

Drownings draw more talk of dam, spillway safety measures

2007-03-24T15:46:00.000-05:00

Barriers, something Clark said the DNR hasn't considered but might, have been erected around spillways at a number of lakes nationwide.

In Illinois, barriers have been added at Lakes Shelbyville and Carlyle in the past few years. The lakes are among the more than 400 across the country owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The barrier at Shelbyville, an 11,000-acre lake about 30 miles southeast of Decatur, was added a few years ago for $57,000, said Alan Dooley, spokesman for the Corps of Engineers St. Louis District.

Signs on the lake had long warned boaters and others to stay at least 600 feet away from the spillway that empties into the Kaskaskia River, Dooley said."

You do want to provide that additional, I guess you'd call it a passive safety measure," he added.

The Shelbyville barrier was built by a New Jersey company, Wave Dispersion Technologies Inc. It's essentially a long cable held on the top of the water by tightly spaced plastic floats.

At $200 to $250 a foot, company owner Dennis Smith said the barriers provide both security - blocking access to anyone who might want to damage or destroy a dam - and safety.

"Usually the dams just need a barrier where something won't float over it if (their boat is)
disabled," Smith said. "It'll stop somebody from drifting over."

Full Story

Biggest Threat to LNG, USS Cole Style Attack

2007-02-11T19:13:00.000-05:00

"The biggest fear I have is the ramming like that of the [USS] Cole," Former White House counterterrorism chief Richard A. Clarke said, adding that the 2002 al-Qaida attack could have been prevented by a floating security barrier.

Full Story

Jonathan B. Smith, President & CFO, Wave Dispersion Technologies, Appears on Michigan Entrepreneur Television Hosted by Tara Kachaturoff

2007-01-15T17:06:00.000-05:00

Birmingham, MI, January 15, 2006

Jonathan B. Smith, President and CFO of Wave Dispersion Technologies discusses the company’s patented floating marine barrier products. Michigan Entrepreneur is a weekly television talk show featuring Michigan business leaders as well as organizations that promote and support entrepreneurship. This program is produced and hosted by executive coach Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff.

Michigan Entrepreneur is a weekly television talk show featuring businesses from start-up to stellar. The program for the Week of February 12, 2007 features Jonathan B. Smith, President and CFO of Wave Dispersion Technologies.

Wave Dispersion Technologies is a global leader in maritime homeland port security barrier and buoy protection systems. One of their products, the Small Craft Intrusion Barrier ™ was invented and is manufactured in the U.S. It proves a floating barrier against intrusions or entry by stray or threatening vessels. Another product is the WhisprWave® floating articulated breakwater technology. This product is used to control erosion to “shoreline beaches, coastal marinas, anchorages, and other areas subject to destructive erosion wave / wake forces.”

Michigan Entrepreneur is a community access television program based and produced in Oakland County, Michigan, in partnership with Bloomfield Community Television (BCTV). From high-tech to biosciences, and everything in between, Michigan Entrepreneur focuses on business leaders who are key to Michigan’s successful economic growth.

Created, hosted and produced by executive coach and business consultant, Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff, this program is designed to support and build entrepreneurship within the local community as well as throughout the State of Michigan. For more information about the program, please contact Ms. Kachaturoff at 248.723.1926 or at metvcontact@gmail.com.

Mich. eyes security sector

2006-12-11T23:13:00.000-05:00

Levin offers political edge

Michigan also has an advantage as one the nation's busiest border states. Technology developed to protect the Detroit-Windsor crossing could be exported around the world.

And with any field that lives and dies with government funding, politics plays a key role.

Many hope that the impending appointment of U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, to the chairmanship of the Senate's Armed Services committee will mean more funding of military and security projects in the state.

"We are seeing a lot of homeland security spending just coming online now," said Jonathan Smith, managing director of Sylvan Lake-based Wave Dispersion Technologies, a company that engineers floating intrusion barriers for seaports. "The country has invested heavily at the airports, but there are a lot of other needs to be filled."

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Blog Tags: Antiterrorism, Counterterrorism, Force Protection, Homeland Security, Maritime Security, Port Security

WDT Featured in Special Operations Technology

2006-11-21T08:50:00.000-05:00

Building Forts
By Marty Kauchak

Constructing secure camps in hostile territory with only items that can be flown and sometimes trucked in, can be a challenge. These homes-away-from-homes need to offer a degree of comfort and a great deal of protection . . .

Maritime Barriers

On October 12, 2000, two maritime terrorists attacked the USS Cole during the ship’s reprovisioning in Aden, Yemen. During the assault, an explosives-laden dinghy pulled alongside the destroyer and blasted a 40-by-40-foot hole in the hull. The blast killed 17 sailors and wounded 37 others.

The Cole attack and the continued expeditionary nature of the Navy and Marine Corps team have expanded the list of requirements for maritime barriers, which also continue to be sought for U.S. commercial ports and naval bases.

The Navy has recently inquired about systems that could be stored on land and, on short notice, placed in the water to provide one ring of defense around newly arrived ships at anchor or alongside a pier. The strategy to protect Iraqi oil platforms and other water-based infrastructure under the watch of SEALs and Naval Coastal Warfare forces in the Arabian Gulf has created yet another demand for barrier solutions.

With an eye on helping to mitigate the risks of future nautical terrorism events, Wave Dispersion Technologies fielded WhisprWave Force Protection Marine Barrier Systems.

The small craft intrusion barrier, designed from a solid barrier of its WhisprWave modules, demarcates the marine port security zone and “significantly impedes hostile, small craft from penetrating it,” according to the company.

To counter larger vessels, the vessel exclusion barrier was developed to “withstand 1,500,000 foot-pounds (ft-lbs.) of energy over a 1.5 second period, capable of completely stopping 30-foot vessels traveling at 40 miles per hour (35 knots) and significantly impeding larger vessels.” As a reference point, the U.S. Coast Guard estimated that about 95-percent of registered craft would produce about 250,000 ft-lbs. of energy per second when they strike a barrier, noted Dennis Smith, chairman and chief executive officer, Wave Dispersion Technologies.

The enhanced vessel exclusion barrier provides additional security capabilities by adding barbed wire and underwater nets. “It’s a platform with tremendous strength and buoyancy,” pointed out Smith. “This is very popular overseas. It allows the customer to add radar, anti-swimmer nets and other devices,” he concluded.

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Blog Tags: Antiterrorism, Counterterrorism, Force Protection, Homeland Security, Maritime Security, Port Security

Siemens Building Technologies Acquires VistaScape Security Systems

2006-10-31T21:21:00.000-05:00

Siemens Building Technologies Acquires VistaScape Security Systems
Acquisition Teams World-Class Technology with Global Reach, R&D Resources of Siemens

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., announced today it has completed the transaction to acquire VistaScape Security Systems Corp., of Atlanta, as a wholly owned subsidiary. VistaScape is a leading developer of automated video analytic technology designed to protect critical infrastructure from a broad spectrum of threats. VistaScape will operate under its existing brand as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens Building Technologies.

“True security is a paramount goal for our customers,” says Jens Michael Wegmann, global head and president of the security systems division for Siemens Building Technologies. “But there comes a point in security system design when more can actually become less. A large facility may spend millions on ‘more’—more cameras; more personnel and more fences—but the investment won’t net a gain in actual security. With VistaScape’s core enabling technology, networks of surveillance devices can be deployed for maximum effect, and monitored more effectively by fewer security staff, which frees resources for further enhancements to the overall system,” Wegmann adds.

Since 1999, VistaScape pioneered the use of geospatially-aware intelligent video surveillance technologies that provide responders with real-time situational awareness about the nature and location of potential security violations. With VistaScape, Siemens extends its ability to create integrated security systems that will serve the needs of critical infrastructure sites serving the transportation, logistics, refining and process industries worldwide. The company’s flagship product is a policy-based software solution that combines these capabilities together with input from other field devices, like intrusion sensors and access control, for proactive alerting and enterprise-wide security management.

“VistaScape began as a small startup with the idea that there was a better way to view and manage security,” says PJ Lynch, CEO of VistaScape. “We are excited to be a part of Siemens, a world class research organization and one of the most trusted names in security. This is an especially proud moment for our employees, who will continue to develop and implement innovative solutions to confront the most urgent challenges of security.”

Siemens will provide access to R&D resources and intellectual property to VistaScape from Siemens Corporate Research (SCR), which is a leader in a range of complementary safety and security technologies. These include video analytics for applications such as highway and subway tunnel monitoring, building interiors and facial recognition.

As a leading provider of building controls, fire safety and security system solutions, Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., makes buildings comfortable, safe, productive and less costly to operate. With U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove, Ill., Siemens Building Technologies employs 7,200 people and provides a full range of services and solutions from more than 100 locations coast-to-coast. Worldwide, the company has 28,000 employees and operates in more than 42 countries.

For more information on Siemens Building Technologies, visit: www.siemens.com

Contacts
Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
Steven E. Kuehn, 847-941-6047
steve.kuehn@siemens.com

Link to Press Release

Blog Tags: Antiterrorism, Counterterrorism, Force Protection, Homeland Security, Maritime Security, Port Security

Tamil Tigers launch naval suicide assault

2006-10-19T07:17:00.001-05:00

By Seth Meixner, Galle, Sri Lanka

TAMIL Tiger rebels staged an audacious suicide attack yesterday against Sri Lanka’s historic port of Galle, killing at least two people and destroying three navy craft . . .

Two boats carried out rocket propelled grenades on the harbour while three explosives-laden boats rammed and sank three naval craft.

Police said they believed four or five Tigers may have escaped after the attack.

“Obviously they have come to Galle on a suicide mission,” defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said.

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Blog Tags: Antiterrorism, Counterterrorism, Force Protection, Homeland Security, Maritime Security, Port Security

Announcement of FY 2006 Infrastructure Protection Program

2006-09-27T12:57:00.000-05:00

DHS has announced FY 2006 Infrastructure Protection Program grant recipients. The following link will get you to the Full Report.

Blog Tags:Antiterrorism, Counterterrorism, Force Protection, Homeland Security, Maritime Security, Port Security

Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. Featured in The Wall Street Transcript

2006-09-27T12:16:00.000-05:00

Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. was recently featured on The Wall Street Transcript.

The Wall Street Transcript is a leading information source for professional investors seeking successful new investment ideas. The Wall Street Transcript conducts in-depth interviews of CEO’s with leading public companies, analysts and money managers to give sophisticated investors an unscripted, first-hand perspective that enables them to make informed investment decisions.

Excerpt from the interview:

Since the USS Cole was attacked in 2001 and the 9/11 attack, the company has grown substancially. Our product, called the Small Craft Intrusion Barrier™ or SCIB™, is no the standard product in the word. It has been installed in the United States and also overseas. The customers for the security barriers are primarily government agencies, military organizations, or large private enterprises, such as oil comapnies protecting LNG terminals, refineries and so forth.

Full Interview

Blog Tags: Antiterrorism, Counterterrorism, Force Protection, Homeland Security, Maritime Security, Port Security

The Wall Street Transcripts - Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc.

2006-09-05T09:26:00.000-05:00

Company Interview Excerpt
DENNIS SMITH - WAVE DISPERSION TECHNOLOGIES INC
Full article published: 9/4/2006

TWST: What is Wave Dispersion Technologies?
Mr. Dennis Smith: Wave Dispersion is a company that has a patented product called WhisprWave, which creates marine security barriers and also floating articulated breakwaters. The technology was developed in 1998 and was first installed at that time as a breakwater. Then in 2000, the U.S. Navy asked us to design a security barrier for protection of their ships and ports. Since the USS Cole was attacked in 2001 and the 9/11 attack, the company has grown substantially. Our product, called the Small Craft Intrusion Barrier or SCIB, is now the standard product in the world. It has been installed in the United States and also overseas.

TWST: What's the customer base? Is it primarily governments or are there private customers as well?
Mr. Dennis Smith: The customers for the security barriers are primarily government agencies, military organizations, or large private enterprises, such as oil companies protecting LNG terminals, refineries and so forth. In the area of the government agencies, we protect ports, naval bases, Army bases, Coast Guard bases, dams, and also infrastructure that is critical to both the nation and the world. In the private sector, our customers are mostly marinas, where we are putting in the breakwaters to protect the harbor from wave two wake to create a damage safe harbor. Also, we are in Middle East protecting refineries and harbors over there, including the largest harbor that's being constructed in the world in Dubai, UAE.

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Blog Tags: Antiterrorism, Counterterrorism, Force Protection, Homeland Security, Maritime Security, Port Security

Bomb scare spurs port security push

2006-08-23T12:09:00.000-05:00

Busy Seattle terminal closed for hours

By PAUL SHUKOVSKY AND JOHN IWASAKI
P-I REPORTERS

There were plenty of anxious moments on Seattle's waterfront when a bomb-sniffing dog suddenly "alerted" on a pair of cargo containers shipped from Pakistan, prompting a rare cargo terminal shutdown.

No explosives or radioactive materials were found when the Port of Seattle bomb squad searched the containers. One was loaded with new textiles, such as shirts and pants. The other was filled with old textiles that would likely be made into rags.

A port officer and a dog walk the area around Terminal 18 as authorities check containers after "anomalies" were found during an inspection of two containers that originated in Pakistan. Dozens of workers were evacuated as the terminal was locked down.
But for several hours Wednesday afternoon, busy Terminal 18 on Harbor Island was a possible terrorism target -- locked down behind a 300-yard security perimeter staffed by police. Dozens of employees were evacuated.

Ripples from the scare quickly reached the nation's capital, where Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and other members of Congress called it a "wake-up call" for tighter port security on both coasts.

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Blog Tags: Antiterrorism, Counterterrorism, Force Protection, Homeland Security, Maritime Security, Port Security