Page 23: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Apr/May 2013)

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Perspectives

Analysis

Working with quiet effciency

With increased focus on the negative impact of subsea noise on the marine environment, regulators are considering action. Until then, different stakeholders are working together to develop a range of technical solutions to manage the issue. Mark Fuhrmann reports.

Over the past decade, Strategy Framework specialist feld is growing. regulators have sought to Directive is working with “Our work in this area has

O manage the impact the university researchers to been confned to vessels shipping industry has assess noise pollution and active in seismic surveys, on the environment by defne baseline levels of scientifc research, introducing legislation underwater noise. Once commercial fshing, and covering ballast water complete, the EU hopes government-related naval treatment, restrictions to introduce legislation projects. But we have also on substances used in setting standards to been engaged by energy marine coatings and reduce noise levels by companies, who seek to carbon emissions, among 2020. At the same time, shield sensitive acoustic other issues. However, the US-based National instrumentation related while subsea noise has Oceanic & Atmospheric to subsea construction long been recognized as a Administration (NOAA) and communications from threat to marine life, there is working on a global underwater noise,” he has been little action to project to document says. manage the issue. human-generated subsea “We are encouraged by That may be changing. noise to create the world’s NOAA’s focus on subsea

Last year, the IMO’s sub- frst sound maps. noise and statements committee on ship design made by the IMO and & equipment established Specialist feld the EU suggesting that a correspondence group In the meantime, most action may be taken to on reducing commercial of the work to develop apply new standards for shipping noise through quieter ships so far has merchant vessels, which non-mandatory technical been driven by owners produce the most noise.” guidelines. The committee with commercial or Abrahamsen explains identifed four focus scientifc incentives to that low frequency sound areas for noise reduction: reduce subsea noise. waves can travel for propulsion, hull design, According to DNV’s Kai hundreds of kilometers onboard machinery, and Abrahamsen, principle underwater before they operational modifcations. engineer (noise and dissipate, upsetting the

In Europe, the EU Marine vibration), interest in this highly evolved hearing oedigital.com April 2013 | OE 25 oe_analysis_v2.indd 25 4/1/13 3:01 AM