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limits and quanti? able approaches nity does not take action to reduce noise When asked de? ne ‘top tips’ to mitigate to noise mitigation. These meetings emissions on their own, then tough lim- underwater noise, Spence admitted “Re- have all been in response to the ris- its will be set for them. One of my main ally, I have one. Put a limit in your vessel ing recognition of our impacts to ma- takeaways from the 2019 IMO/Trans- speci? cation and require the vessel to be rine life, with respect to noise,” said port Canada meeting is the technology designed to meet it. There currently are

Spence. “Looking forward, I believe is available to reduce noise on com- a variety of underwater noise classi? ca- there will be greater acceptance of es- mercial vessels. However, the desire tions from ABS, Lloyds, DNV GL, and tablished noise criteria as independent and need to have reduced noise must be others. Environmental’ limits are avail- operators design vessels that meet stated clearly in the vessel speci? cation able which are aimed at reducing under- these criteria and modify existing ves- or it will not get implemented.” water noise emissions without imposing sels to reduce underwater noise. This With the wide variety of private, com- onerous design limitations and the need issue has been discussed for nearly (or mercial and government vessels plying to put damping on every panel, stiffener, possibly more than) 20 years, and the the world’s waterways, there is no single dinner plate, etc. The more these limits momentum is building.” ‘silver bullet’ solution used to mitigate are used the more we will learn about noise from boats and ships. “Every vessel what it takes to meet them (with the

Drivers and Solutions is different, and there is no ‘one size ? ts associated con? dence that they can be

According to Spence, there are ef- all’ solution for underwater noise,” said met), and what this all means to marine forts to put more regulations in place, Spence. “However, propeller cavitation is life. The limits will likely change over particularly for newbuilds, as a focus a prominent feature of underwater noise time, as we learn more and re? ne our on shipborne noise continues to grow. for most commercial vessels. Machinery understanding of quiet ship design and “The marine vessel operator commu- noise will also play an important role, impacts to marine life. But without the nity is generally aware of the issue, and particularly propulsion engines, gensets, ? rst step of stating “I want lower noise,” some are concerned that if the commu- gearboxes, and other large equipment.” no progress will be made.”

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