Noise and Vibration

Experience

The potential adverse effect of vessels as source of underwater noise is an issue that is gaining an important role in the international community compelling the shipping sector to answer the question of how to perform accurate measurements of underwater noise radiated by surface vessels, which is becoming of increasing importance because of the recognized possible impact that this kind of noise may have on marine life and marine mammals in particular. In the meantime, ship noise and vibrations onboard remain crucial for shipyards andship owners.

CETENA has gained in-depth knowledge in the assessment of ship noise and vibrations on board and underwater noise, both with experimental and numerical simulation approach, thanks to the significant experience gained in the framework of the most important European research projects, focused on marine acoustic (SILENV – Ship oriented Innovative solutions to reduce Noise and Vibrations and SONIC – Suppression Of underwater Noise Induced by Cavitation), PIAQUO – Underwater noise impact reduction of the maritime traffic and real-time adaptation to ecosystems; SATURN – Solutions @ Underwater Radiated Noise; GATERS – Rudder System as a Retrofit for the Next Generation Propulsion and Steering of Ships).

Our activities

CETENA is the best partner to face the challenge of designing and building a new generation of silent ships using the latest engineering technology, implemented to minimize the URN as well as to improve ships’ quality and efficiency.

• Measurements to predict the underwater noise, through a fully integrated methodology based on the combination of hydrodynamic, structural and hydro-acoustic tools to evaluate both the underwater radiated noise and the vibrations induced onboard.
• Measurements of underwater radiated noise from ships, according to the international standards (ISO and additional class notation of the Registries of Classifies).
• System for cavitation observation through the integrated measurement of underwater noise, the propeller pressure pulses induced on the hull, the vibrations induced by the propeller on the stern and the visualization of the behaviour of the propeller.