A new underwater research station to analyse ship noise in Quebec

The Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (ISMER-UQAR) and Innovation maritime, which is a Green Marine partner, have deployed an underwater research station to advance the knowledge about noise from ships in order to reduce it and improve the coexistence between maritime transportation activities and marine life.

Designed and built by two Green Marine partners, OpDAQ Systems and Multi-Electronics, the station is unique with the different hydrophones taking measurements simultaneously and transmitting vibro-acoustic measurements along with other data in near-real time directly to partner vessels.

Until Spring 2024, the research will focus on noise diagnostics, which involves documenting the sources of noise and vibration, their propagation paths, as well as transfer effects on the environment. The collected data will help to identify solutions to reduce underwater noise.

The nearly $6 million project brings together several partners, such as Transport Canada and the Quebec’s Ministry of Economy and Innovation, which are together financially supporting the initiative to the tune of $4 million. in addition to Green Marine participants shipowners such as Canada Steamship Lines, Algoma, Fednav and Desgagnés, as well asthe St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES), which is a Green Marine association member.

Image from UQAR website, photo from Charles Massicotte