Reducing Noise from Large Commercial Ships: Progress and partnerships

During normal operations, ships produce low-frequency sound from hydrodynamic flow noise, onboard machinery, and primarily propeller cavitation. These low-frequency sounds directly overlap with low-frequency signals used by baleen whales and some seals and sea lions. Many fishes, and some invertebrates, also rely on low-frequency sound in their natural history and may also be particularly affected. Noise can adversely affect marine life by causing altered behaviors, like reduced communication ranges for social interactions, foraging, and predator avoidance. It also can temporarily or permanently reduce hearing sensitivity and have other physiological consequences. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hosted symposia in 2004 and 2007 to bring together regulatory and scientific communities with the shipping industry in beginning to research potential remedies. Building on the NOAA symposia, a correspondence group within the International Maritime Organization (IMO) began assessing feasibility and developing technical recommendations. The correspondence groups’ combined efforts focused on propeller design and modification to reduce cavitation, and considered hull design, on-board machinery, and operational modifications. Alongside the IMO processes, recent initiatives in North America and Europe have also sought to mitigate the effects of shipping noise on marine life. The scope of potential environmental implications of, and solutions to, shipping noise is substantial and will require concerted and sustained international efforts.

• Record URL:
  https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/Proceedings%20Magazine/Archive/2018/Vol75_No1_Spring2018.pdf?ver=2018-03-08-164356-243
• 
• Authors:
  • Southall, Brandon L
  • Hatch, Leila
  • Scholik-Schlomer, Amy
  • Bergmann, Trisha
  • Jasny, Michael
  • Metcalf, Kathy
  • Weilgart, Lindy
  • Wright, Andrew J
  • Perera, M E
• Publication Date: 2018

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: pp 58-65
• Serial:
  • Coast Guard Journal of Safety & Security at Sea, Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council
  • Volume: 75
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: U.S. Coast Guard
  • Serial URL: http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Animals; Environmental impacts; Marine biology; Noise; Noise control; Oceans; Ships
• Identifier Terms: International Maritime Organization; U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Marine animals
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01676639
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 26 2018 2:42PM