Underwater noise
Criteria by type of participant
SHIP OWNERS
Performance indicator's objective:
Reduce underwater noise made by ship operations to reduce impacts to marine mammals.
Notes:
- Green Marine recognizes that underwater noise may potentially impact a broader range of aquatic species other than just marine mammals. While the initial objective of this indicator covers marine mammals, future development of this Performance Indicator may expand its scope.
- Green Marine recognizes that for most ships, under most operational conditions, cavitation is the main source of underwater noise.
- Applicable only for vessels transiting in salt water.
2024 criteria
Level 1
Monitoring of regulations
Level 2
2.1 Conduct regular hull cleaning and propeller blade maintenance. The participant must keep a record of these actions for each vessel in their fleet.
Note: Hull cleaning and propeller maintenance should at least be done during dry dock.
2.2 Review the list of sensitive areas in Canadian and US waters to determine whether the participant’s vessels transit through or have operations in such areas. Ensure that this information is communicated to each vessel.
Note: See Annex 6-A.
2.3 Participate in voluntary traffic measures, like a slow-down or lateral displacement, in specific zones as identified by port or governmental authority, or regional coalition.
Level 3
3.1 Actively participate in collecting and providing whale sighting data (in Canadian and US waters) through a logbook or a recognized application (such as Whale Alert and Whale Report).
Note: Sightings recorded in a logbook should be shared with a recognized central database.
3.2 Develop and adopt a Marine Mammal Management plan (MMMP) in order to reduce the potential adverse effects of vessels, especially within known sensitive marine areas, as identified in Criterion 2.2.
Note: See Annex 6-B.
OR as an alternative to 3.2 for pilotage organizations:
3.3 Aboard a majority of piloted ship transits, when it is safe and operationally feasible, meet criteria 3.1 and 2.3.
Level 4
4.1 Incorporate applicable vessel quieting technologies during retrofits and new vessel construction.
Note: Refer to published documents like the IMO and the SNAME MVEP Guidelines, available in the Members section of the Green Marine website. This criterion is applicable only for ship owners ordering/designing new vessels (keel laid after Jan 2018) or conducting retrofits of propulsion systems or other equipment that contributes significantly to underwater noise.
AND, fulfill one of the following 3 criteria:
4.2 Work with ports to estimate relative ship noise levels for at least one vessel in their fleet.
OR
4.3 Estimate relative ship noise levels of at least one vessel in their fleet by using a dedicated hydrophone.
Note: Collaboration with a bioacoustician is essential to obtain reliable data.
OR
4.4 Support / collaborate on scientific research on underwater noise allowing the estimation of relative ship noise levels for at least one vessel in their fleet.
Level 5
5.1 Proceed to an in-depth analysis of vessel noise footprint on at least one ship in order to identify main noise sources. Solutions to be identified and implemented to reduce noise output.
Note: ANSI/ASA S12.64-2009 or ISO 17208-1:2016 underwater noise standard measurement methodology should be used where at all possible.
AND, fulfill one of the following 3 criteria:
5.2 Work with ports to estimate relative ship noise levels for 15% of the vessels in their fleet, with a minimum of 3 vessels measured.
OR
5.3 Estimate relative ship noise levels of 15% of the vessels in their fleet, with a minimum of 3 vessels measured, using a dedicated hydrophone.
Note: Collaboration with a bioacoustician is essential to obtain reliable data.
OR
5.4 Support / collaborate on scientific research on underwater noise
PORTS & ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY CORPORATIONS
Performance indicator's objective:
Manage underwater noise sources during ongoing activities, development/construction, and/or port maintenance activities to reduce impacts to marine mammals.
Notes:
- Green Marine recognizes that underwater noise may potentially impact a broader range of acoustic species than just marine mammals. While the initial objective of this indicator covers marine mammals, future development may expand the scope.
- Applicable only for ports located on salt water.
2024 criteria
Level 1
Monitoring of regulations
Level 2
Fulfill 3 of the 4 following criteria:
2.1 Promote and raise awareness of tenants and ship operators calling at the port about the issue of underwater noise by distributing pertinent information on the effects of underwater noise on marine mammals and sensitive areas.
2.2 Promote the provision of marine mammal sightings data from a stewardship program with a publicly available database (in Canadian and US waters) through a logbook program or a recognized application (like Whale Alert and Whale Report) to port users, pilots’ associations, and ship operators calling at the port.
2.3 Summarize current knowledge to understand target species, to identify sensitive habitats, and to understand the port activities’ zone of impact. For example, this may inform vessel traffic management (potentially including vessel routing and/or speed).
2.4 Require the services of a trained and experienced marine mammal observer (MMO) during port-related in-water construction or during on-land construction work (below high water) that is known to increase significantly the underwater noise soundscape.
Note: This criterion is only applicable for ports or port tenants having ongoing construction work. The decision of requiring services of MMO should be based on seasonality, presence of endangered species, and sensitive areas.
Level 3
3.1 Implement all applicable criteria listed at Level 2.
3.2 Develop and adopt an Underwater Noise Mitigation and Management plan (UNMMP), which incorporates a range of noise reduction/mitigation options and best practices/operating procedures for both acute and chronic noise-generating activities including construction and shipping.
Note: See Annex 6-A
AND fulfill one of the following 2 criteria:
3.3 As part of the UNMMP, establish an ambient underwater noise monitoring program, analyze and archive the data to understand local ambient underwater noise conditions.
Note: The program, which is developed in collaboration with a bioacoustician or a specialized firm, would specify the objectives, method, location, and frequencies for monitoring. If the port is planning construction or operational changes, additional noise measurements (using the same protocols) should be done to measure trends in ambient noise.
OR
3.4 Offer a recognition program to ship owners for vessel noise reductions.
Note: For example, ship owners could be recognized for hull and propeller maintenance.
Level 4
4.1 Implement all applicable criteria listed at Level 3.
4.2 Develop and incorporate targets for underwater noise reduction into the UNMMP in port waters and to the extent possible. These targets should be developed with the help of information obtained from the noise monitoring program.
Note: This strategy would include a methodology to measure progress achieved in order to reduce underwater noise generated by the port and set realistic targets for noise reduction.
AND fulfill one of the following 3 criteria:
4.3 Develop an incentive program for ship owners who implement vessel noise mitigation measures.
Note: For example, this program could offer a discount/berthing fee reduction to vessels that have a notation for underwater radiated noise from a recognized classification society.
OR
4.4 Establish an in-situ acoustic monitoring system to collect relative source level of individual ships. This data should be shared with ship owners.
Note: A specific protocol will have to be developed in order to collect valuable data. This criterion is linked with criterion 4.2 from the underwater noise indicator for ship owners.
OR
4.5 Support/collaborate on scientific research that includes the measurement of underwater radiated noise.
Note: Projects done within the past 5 years can be considered to fulfill this criterion.
Level 5
5.1 Implement 4 of the 5 applicable criteria listed at Level 4.
5.2 Meet reduction targets on underwater noise set in criterion 4.2.
5.3 Demonstrate continual improvement in implementing the Underwater Noise Mitigation and Management plan to utilize noise reduction solutions and technologies that reduce underwater noise.
