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Noise Control Engineering News

15 Dec 2023

The Problem with Reducing Underwater Radiated Noise

Wind-assist will likely take load off the propeller. Photo credits: © Jifmar Group Library / Tom Van Oossanen and AYRO.

If the global commercial fleet reduced its speed by 10%, it would reduce underwater radiated noise by 40%, but nothing’s ever that simple.The main thing holding the shipping industry back from reducing its underwater radiated noise (URN) is not a lack of appropriate technology. It’s argued that many of the technologies being implemented today to reduce fuel consumption also reduce noise. So, the noise reductions could essentially come at no net cost to the shipowner, but there’s a lack of regulation and a lack of targeted incentives…

19 May 2023

Austal USA Awarded US Navy TAGOS-25 Contract

(Image: Austal USA)

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA announced it has been awarded a contract potentially worth more than $3 billion for the detail design and construction of new TAGOS-25 class ocean surveillance ships for the U.S. Navy.The $113.9 million fixed-price incentive (firm target) and firm-fixed-price contract includes options for detail design and construction of up to seven T-AGOS 25 class ships which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $3.195 billion.Austal…

08 Mar 2021

BMT Wins US Navy Cable Ship Replacement Study Contract

USNS Zeus (T-ARC 7) (Photo: Fincantieri Marine Group)

Marine engineering firm BMT has been awarded a prime contract to conduct industry studies for the U.S. Navy’s T-ARC(X) cable ship replacement program.The Navy’s only operational cable ship, the nearly 40-year-old USNS Zeus (T-ARC 7), is approaching the end of its service life, and the Navy is interested in recapitalizing its undersea cable installation and repair capabilities, as well as adding the new mission sets of acoustic, hydrographic, and bathymetric survey; and deploying and recovering unmanned underwater vessels.

01 Dec 2020

ENGINEERING: Inter-Compartment Sound Transmission Regulations and Testing

Onboard partition testing with omnidirectional sound sources. Photo: Noise Control Engineering

Complying with International Maritime Organization Resolution MSC.337(91) Noise Level CodeOne of the best things a marine operator can do for its crew or passengers is prioritize their comfort by reducing shipboard noise. Commercial and military marine vessels can be subject to very high noise levels produced by everything from onboard activities to aircraft. At worst, this noise can be hazardous—disruptively noisy environments can lead to discomfort, sleep-deprivation, and even hearing loss, which can in turn lead to lower job performance, safety risks, and diminished quality of life.

23 Sep 2020

Mitigating Underwater Noise

“Environmental’ limits are available which are aimed at reducing underwater noise emissions without imposing onerous design limitations and the need to put damping on every panel, stiffener & dinner plate.” Jesse Spence, President, NCE

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.

04 Sep 2020

Underwater Noise Study Completed for Washington State Ferries

(Photo: NCE)

A Massachusetts-based acoustical engineering consulting firm recently completed an underwater radiated noise study to quantify noise, potential impacts to orcas and other marine life, and methods of reducing noise for Washington State Ferries (WSF). Noise Control Engineering (NCE), a subsidiary of naval architecture and marine engineering firm Glosten, said its study included measurement of nine vessels representing all seven operating classes of WSF vessels. The firm specializes in noise and vibration design…

16 Nov 2018

Glosten, C-Job Sign MOU

Morgan Fanberg, President, Glosten (left) and Basjan Faber, CEO of C-Job. (Photo: Glosten)

Glosten and C-Job Naval Architects announced a partnership as executives from the two firms met recently at Glosten’s newly opened East Coast office to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) defining the firms’ shared goals and objectives.“This is an important step in formalizing what has already been a fruitful relationship over the past several months,” said Glosten President Morgan Fanberg, PE. “It is encouraging to see the work we can accomplish together. We look forward…

04 Oct 2017

Noise Control Engineering Awarded Navy SBIR Grant

Computational fluid dynamic consideration of nozzle design (Image: Noise Control Engineering)

Noise Control Engineering awarded Navy SBIR grant for abrasive blaster with reduced noise Glosten subsidiary Noise Control Engineering, LLC said it has been awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract to apply advance aeroacoustics principals to the design of an abrasive blasting nozzle, reducing noise from the nozzle while simultaneously improving the device’s productivity. According to Noise Control Engineering, the nozzle developed through this effort will provide industry with a device that represents an evolutionary step forward in safety and efficiency.

07 Sep 2017

Spence Takes over as Noise Control Engineering President

Jesse Spence (Photo: Noise Control Engineering)

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.

15 Nov 2016

MPFSV Harvey Stone Delivered to Harvey Gulf

Image: Robert Allan Ltd.

The Harvey Stone is a Multi-Purpose Field Support Vessel (MPFSV) that will serve as a dedicated field support vessel for the Shell Stones FPSO offshore terminal. Her primary duties will be to operate as the dedicated pull-back tug, in support of, and assisting the berthing, loading and unberthing of offtake tankers of up to 46,287 SDWT. The vessel is expected to escort the above FPSO in the event of disconnection from the submerged buoy mooring for hurricane avoidance purposes…

30 Aug 2016

MN100: Glosten

John A. Springer III, PE (Photo: Glosten)

Glosten is an employee-owned full-service consulting firm of naval architects, marine engineers, electrical engineers, and ocean engineers. Founded in 1958, the firm specializes in commercial and public sector vessels including research vessels, passenger/car ferries, tugs, barges, dredges, and special purpose platforms. Consulting and design services include hull, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems design. Glosten has a staff of 77 associates, including 36 professionally licensed engineers, supported by other engineers, marine designers, and production staff.

13 Apr 2016

New Standard for Vessel Underwater Noise

ISO 17208-1:2016, a new international standard for the measurement of underwater noise from ships, has been published by ISO. The full title of this standard is “Underwater acoustics – Quantities and procedures for description and measurement of underwater sound from ships – Part 1: Requirements for precision measurements in deep water used for comparison purposes”. The standard specifies the general measurement system, procedures, and methodology used for the measurement of underwater sound from ships under a prescribed operating condition. It is available for purchase from the ISO ans ANSI webstores. Noise Control Engineering, LLC (NCE), a leader in the field of shipboard noise control, led the effort to develop this standard.

01 Sep 2015

Glosten Acquires Noise Control Engineering

Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy Glosten, Inc. has acquired Noise Control Engineering LLC (NCE), a consulting firm specializing in ship noise and vibration control. NCE, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Glosten, will continue to operate from its Billerica, Mass. and Mobile, Ala. offices as an independent group within the Glosten organization and will retain its corporate name and staff. There will be no disruption to current projects or changes in staff at either firm. “For over 55 years, Glosten has grown carefully, responding to the unique and challenging needs of our clients,” said Glosten president, Jay Edgar. “Joining with NCE is an exciting next step.

21 Apr 2015

Coatings Quietly Helping to Control Noise

U.S. Navy’s AGOR Research Vessels are built to be as operationally quiet as possible. That’s where Mascoat’s Sound Control-dB coatings come in. When the U.S. Navy began its design and build program for its newest generation of research vessels, it specified that the vessels had to be as quiet as possible. That’s because a large part of ocean research involves listening and excessive ship noise tends to negate that effort. Achieving the goal of an exceptionally quiet vessel, the vessel’s design team employed a variety of methods to meet the Navy’s exacting standards, choosing systems, defined equipment locations and designed special installation methods with acoustics as a priority. One of those methods involved Mascoat’s Sound Control-dB coatings.

25 Nov 2014

What’s All the Noise at IMO?

Michael Bahtiarian

Shipping may think they hear the sound of new regulations as they are slammed onto their desks. What is all the noise concerning noise at IMO? This may very well be the question from ship owners, operators and builders closely following activities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In 2013, IMO issued mandatory regulations for shipboard airborne noise and earlier this year IMO internal committees approved new draft guidelines for minimizing underwater noise. Even though the author advised the U.S.

07 Oct 2014

NCE Opens Office in Alabama

Nathan Jones

Noise Control Engineering, LLC (NCE) opened a new office in Mobile, Ala. The office will be staffed by Nathan Jones, a Senior Engineer with more than 10 years of experience at NCE. “Our customers along the Gulf Coast region are a very important part of our business and this office will enable us to better serve them. Our goal is to be in a position to react quickly to their needs and provide them with superior support” explains Nathan. Mr. Jones will be providing clients with…

04 Sep 2014

Former ONR Deputy Director Ng Joins NCE

Dr. Kam W. Ng

Marine acoustics company Noise Control Engineering, LLC (NCE) announced that it has hired Dr. Kam W. Ng, formerly the Deputy Director of Research at the Office of Naval Research, as its new Director of Business Development. Dr. Ng will bring his technical and managerial skills to NCE which includes expertise in the areas of Acoustics and Noise Control, Signal Processing and Fault Detection, Smart Materials, Active Nonlinear Control and Science and Technology Management. Dr. Ng’s knowledge and experience will help NCE to establish new markets…

11 Mar 2014

Boat of the Month

In the very near future, the new scientific Research Vessel Investigator will enter service for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), an agency of the Federal Government of Australia. Investigator went to sea for her initial sea trials in December 2013. Once deployed, Investigator will be among the quietest and most capable research vessels in the world, serving multiple, diverse scientific roles in a geographical areas spanning one-third the circumference of the globe.

16 Aug 2012

Eastern Shipbuilding Delivers Third Tiger Shark Vessel to Harvey Gulf

 The HARVEY CHAMPION was delivered on August 7th, 2012

Eastern Shipbuilding Group Delivers Third “Tiger Shark Class” Vessel to Harvey Gulf International Marine. Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the early delivery of the HARVEY CHAMPION, the third of three (3) 292 ft. Tiger Shark Class, Offshore Support Vessels being constructed for Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC of New Orleans, LA. The HARVEY CHAMPION was delivered on August 7th, 2012 after successfully completing dock trials, sea trials and DP trials. The HARVEY CHAMPION is the 10th vessel that Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc.

03 Feb 2012

STX to Design Canadian Icebreaker

Conceptual depiction of new icebreaker.

STX Canada Marine Awarded Contract to Design the Canadian Coast Guard’s New Polar Icebreaker. STX Canada Marine is pleased to announce that they have been awarded the contract to design the new polar icebreaker for the Canadian Coast Guard. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced today the award on behalf of the Government of Canada. The work will be carried out at STX Canada Marine’s Vancouver office and be completed by the end of 2013. The polar icebreaker will be named after former Prime Minister John George Diefenbaker (CCGS John G. Diefenbaker).

12 Jan 2011

MVeP Phase 2 Seeks Authors

The Marine Vessel Environmental Performance (MVeP) Assessment was presented November 4th, 2010 at the SNAME Annual Meeting. This is the work of SNAME T&R Panel EV-10 previously Ad-hoc Panel 19. Eleanor Nick Kirtley and Tim Leach of the Glosten Associates presented to an audience of about 50. The Glosten Associates also featured MVeP at their booth in the Expo where many conference attendees were able to speak with the presenters and other participants including Matt Winkler, VP of Seaworthy Systems – Roll Royce. In Phase 1, MVeP developed a checklist of environmental impacts resulting from marine vessels. Each impact can be assessed on its own merit, and the compilation of all assessments makes clear the trade-offs of various measures giving a holistic view of the ship’s performance.

18 Dec 2009

First Non-Military Standard, Underwater Noise

A new voluntary consensus standard for the measurement of underwater noise from ships is now available from the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The new standard will be known as ANSI/ASA S12.64-2009/Part 1, “American National Standard, Quantities and Procedures for Description and Measurement of Underwater Sound from Ships- Part 1: General Requirements”. Noise Control Engineering, Inc. of Billerica, Mass. led the effort to develop the new standard having its Vice President Michael Bahtiarian chair the committee. NCE also provided significant administrative resources to completing the effort. “We started this effort to fill a need for NCE clients designing and building quiet research vessels,” noted Chair Bahtiarian.

30 Jan 2009

NCE Receives ABS Certification

Noise Control Engineering Inc. of Billerica, MA has received external specialist certification in Ambient Environmental Testing from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). NCE is the only company in North America and only one of four companies in the world to acquire such a certification. The certification includes measurements of noise, vibration, lighting, temperature and relative humidity. In order to receive the certification, NCE was required to develop detailed procedures for testing the parameters listed above, along with a quality assurance plan and instrument calibration procedures. NCE has always laboratory calibrated its field instrumentation on an annual basis. However, a more rigorous methodology and process had to be put in place for ABS.