Machinery Noise News

Noise Control Engineering, LLC (NCE) recently completed an underwater radiated noise study for Washington State Ferries (WSF), a study which entailed measurement of nine vessels representing all seven operating classes of WSF vessels, quantifying noise, potential impacts to orcas and other marine life, and methods of reducing noise.“With the increasing awareness of underwater noise impacts on marine life, both globally and locally in the Northwest, WSF is interested in learning more about how their operations may impact marine life,” said Jesse Spence, President, NCE.

Acentech, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based noise, vibration and acoustical consulting firm, has issued its final report to Transport Canada concerning the Quiet Ship Workshop held at the International Maritime Headquarters (IMO) in London.For Canada, this issue is part of a broader concern with the health of the oceans and waterways that surround the country and its marine eco-systems.Canada’s oceans are home to 42 distinct populations of whales, in particular, the Southern Resident Killer whale, the St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga and the North Atlantic Right whale, one of the most endangered of all large whale species.Over 140 subject-matter experts from around the world gathered at this event for two and a half days.

Glosten subsidiary Noise Control Engineering, LLC (NCE), a Massachusetts-based acoustical and structural engineering consultancy, said it has appointed Jesse Spence as its next president. As NCE president, Spence will have direct responsibility for organizational processes, market assessment and business development. He accepts this position after serving as NCE’s director of technology. Spence joined NCE in 2001, having led the firm’s efforts to develop and implement technologies and techniques to facilitate solutions to marine acoustic and vibration problems.

Amtech specializes in ship design integration and construction supervision dealing with new propulsion technologies, niche trades and operational efficiencies. Its South Korea office and staff have delivered over 250 ships and the U.S. offices are well versed in U.S. construction, Jones Act applications and the domestic workboat markets. Amtech boasts $450 million of ships under construction in Korea until 2017. Closer to home, the company has successfully delivered the first…

Battery based energy storage systems for marine applications are finally moving, cleanly along the global waterfront at full speed. The UN Report on climate change on November 2, 2014, stated that the unregulated use of carbon based fuels must cease by the end of the century. While people can debate the causes of global climate change, this type of strong statement is increasingly familiar. The shipping industry is one of the largest consumers of carbon-based fuel, and as such, has great reason to be concerned.

A different kind of emission in the compliance spotlight – above and below decks. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment during its 2012, 56th session submitted a draft revised code on noise levels onboard ships. The code set out mandatory noise level limits for machinery spaces, control rooms, workshops, cargo blocks and accommodation spaces in an effort to address health and safety issues on board ships, ATB’s and/or tugboats.

The IMO Code on Noise Levels On Board Ships (the ‘Noise Code 2012’) enters into force on 1 July, 2014, under new SOLAS regulation II-1/3-12*. The Hong Kong flag administration has issued Merchant Shipping Information Note 14/2014 regarding requirements for protection against noise for Hong Kong registered ships. The Note contains additional requirements for ships constructed on or after 1 January, 2009, for which the Noise Code 2012 is not mandatory. In the absence of a building contract, have their keel laid on or after 1 January, 2009, but before 1 January, 2015; and that have not previously had noise measurements taken and do not have a noise survey report on board.

Maritime Safety Committee adopted the Code on Noise Levels on board Ships, Resolution MSC.337(91), commonly referred to as the Noise Code. The Noise Code is being made mandatory by means of Resolution MSC.338(91), which amends the SOLAS Convention to add new Regulation II-1/A-1/Reg. 3-12 – Protection against noise. In accordance with this new regulation, the Noise Code will apply to ships of 1,600 gross tonnage and above: (1) for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 July 2014…

Blue Star Naxos is the third RoPax, which was constructed under Greek flag and delivered by DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. Ltd.) in June 2002 in compliance with the requirements of BV. This vessel is the one of twins and the sister (Blue Star Paros) had been delivered just one and half month ahead of the vessel in April 2002. Classed by BV, the vessel has two car decks and two accommodation decks, while the upper garage deck level is divided into the fore half car space and the aft half crew cabins. This layout allowed the complete separation of the above passenger decks from the lower decks machinery noise and vibration.