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The International Council for Exploration of the Seas (ICES) has established a standard for ships' underwater radiated noise and the

Henry B. Bigelow meets this noise standard by utilizing specially constructed and bal- anced propulsion motors and mounting diesel generators on double isolated raft sys- tems.

The hull form and a highly skewed five- blade propeller were carefully designed and tested and pumps, ventilation systems and piping systems were designed for low noise.

The Henry B. Bigelow basically utilizes a diesel electric propulsion system. A pair of 1,542 hp electric motors are mounted on a common shaft driving a 4.3 m propeller.

There is also a 966 hp AC induction azimuthing bowthruster also driven by an electric motor. Power for the motors come from a pair of 1,360 kW generators and a 910 kW diesel generator. Generators are by

Caterpillar.

The Henry B. Bigelow can reached a sus- tained speed of 14 knots and has a range of 12,000 nm and an endurance of 40 days.

Crew complement includes four commis- sioned officers, three licensed engineers and 12 other crewmembers. The vessel can carry a maximum of 19 scientists. Total bunks are 38.

Most of the main deck is reserved for mis- sion functions. The aft working deck has 1,560 sq. ft. of open space for fishing and other over-the-side operations with an addi- tional 335 sq. ft. of deck space at the Side

Sampling Station. Space and support con- nections are provided for a laboratory van on the aft working deck.

There are seven laboratories on the main deck utilized by scientific personnel. In addition there are electronics, machine and bos'n shops to support the vessel by repair- ing and occasionally modifying scientific sampling equipment at sea.

Henry B. Bigelow is a stern trawler capa- ble of working in water depths of 1,000 fathoms. A split drum net reel is located over the forward end of the trawl way, which can stow two nets. Many features common to commercial trawlers such as Gilson and outhaul winches and a net sonde winch are included in the design.

Each of the two trawl winches can deploy 13,120 ft. of 1.2-in. diameter trawl wire.

Each winch generates up to 35 metric tons of line pull. Smaller sampling nets and towed fishing gear can be launched over the stern, over the side of the working deck or from the starboard side-sampling station.

Longlining and other types of fishing can also be conducted.

The vessel mounts two extendable boom cranes, one articulated and one telescoping servicing the working deck. Each crane can lift 8,000 lbs and can be used to lift the cod vessel profile

The Sound of Silence

VT Halter Marine has partnered with Noise Control Engineering (NCE) on many projects, and as President Raymond Fischer notes, "the NOAA FRV program has been the largest, most involved Halter project for our firm". In order to achieve the stringent underwater noise requirements (ICES CRR 209), Halter contracted with NCE from the beginning to perform critical engineering calculations, assist with design of noise control treatments and conduct a series of acoustical tests on the ship and its major components. NCE's

Fischer notes, "The amount of design engineering on the Henry B. Bigelow is much less than the Oscar Dyson, but we have already conducted numerous sound and vibration tests on the BIGELOW's machinery and NCE will be continue to participate in the

BIGELOW's sea trials where we will perform addition acoustic measurements such as air- borne, structureborne, and underwater noise measurements." "This has been a great project for my firm", says Fischer. "Just from professional standpoint, my staff and I have published four papers on the FRV program. Having been involved in this program, we have been able to advise many other clients on the design and construction of ICES capable Research Vessels." Specializing in marine noise & vibration control, NCE is a nine-person engineering consulting firm located in suburban Boston.

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