An international standard for the measurement of vessel underwater noise

Abstract

The development of a new international commercial standard for “Underwater Noise Measurement of Ships” started in April 2011. This effort follows on an American National Standard, ANSI/Atomic Security Agency (ASA) S12.64-2009/Part 1, Quantities and Procedures for Description and Measurement of Underwater Sound from Ships, Part 1; General Requirements. Currently, no international standards exist for performing underwater noise measurements of ships. For many years, the field of underwater noise from ships has been the exclusive specialty of the Navy. However, non-navy vessels are looking to be just as quiet so that they can perform better science. Green ships are being conceived in order to have less emission into the ocean. The goal of the project is to develop an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for the measurement of underwater noise levels of ships using commercial technology. One aim is that the standard would be applicable to any open ocean site in the world and not require traveling to special acoustic test ranges. The committee' scope of work will include neither regulatory actions nor the development of any underwater noise level but will address both deep and shallow water sites. This presentation provides an update of the committee work to date and outreach to the acoustical community.