System and apparatus for rapidly installed breakwater

Abstract

A rapidly deployable breakwater is disclosed having a primary barrier containing liquid under pressure, and one or more overtopping barriers. The primary barrier floats at, and extends substantially below, the surface of the water, while the overtopping barriers are positioned on the primary barrier and extend substantially above the surface of the water, the combination being adapted to attenuate wave action in open water. The liquid in the primary barrier is pressurized to a level substantially greater than the pressure of the surrounding water, and such pressure may be maintained or varied during the period of deployment of the breakwater.

1 . A breakwater structure to be moored in open water at a selected location to attenuate wave action for a desired period of time, comprising an elongated primary barrier formed of a flexible material and having an enclosed interior cavity, said barrier being adapted to float in open water and to contain a liquid within said cavity pressurized to a level substantially greater than the pressure of the surrounding open water, wherein the pressurized liquid provides the barrier with enhanced stiffness and resistance to deformation by wave action.  
   
   
       2 - 46 . (canceled).