Page 20: of Marine Technology Magazine (November 2014)

Noise

What’s all the

Noise at IMO?

By Michael Bahtiarian, VP Noise Control Engineering, LLC hipping may think they hear the sound of new regula- board airborne noise (IMO Resolution A468XII-1981). This tions as they are slammed onto their desks. What is guideline included information on sound measurement, acous-

Sall the noise concerning noise at IMO? This may very tic insulation, hearing protection and maximum recommend- well be the question from ship owners, operators and build- ed sound pressure levels by ship compartment type. As noted ers closely following activities at the International Maritime in the resolution, its purpose was to reduce mariner exposure

Organization (IMO). In 2013, IMO issued mandatory regula- from noise in order to provide a safe working environment (i.e. tions for shipboard airborne noise and earlier this year IMO ability to hear audible alarms), reduce noise-induced hearing internal committees approved new draft guidelines for mini- loss (NIHL) and provide an acceptable degree of comfort for mizing underwater noise. Even though the author advised the passengers and crew on the ship. Many vessels were de- the U.S. delegation on both matters, these two codes are not signed and built to these guidelines enforced only through the related as they were shaped at IMO. Here is the author’s view contract between the ship owner and the shipbuilder.

what the new regulations/guidelines will mean to the marine In July 2007, all of the European Union (EU) member states community. and the European Commission (EC) collectively made the proposal to update the 1981 guidelines with the goal making

Airborne Noise them mandatory. This occurred under the framework of the

Since 1981, the IMO has established a guideline for ship- 83rd Session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) at the

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