Year: <span>2021</span>

Marine noise considerations and solutions

Safety first, safety always. The primary purpose of installing industrial sound proofers in marine engines is to ensure minimal exposure of people (personnel to noise hazards).

By effectively applying sound proofers to marine engines, chronic hazards like partial deafness, tinnitus, threshold shift in hearing, and noise-induced hearing loss can be effectively avoided.

The maritime industry bears certain similarities to the aviation industry regarding compliance with full safety regulations by local and international regulatory bodies. This may be attributed to the high risks involved and the nature of their operations.
Special noise safety laws and regulations have been provided and reviewed as deemed fit within the industry over the past couple of years. Expectedly, strict implementation of these laws is expected from the employers and employees in the maritime business. This implies that compliance with these regulatory standards is a moral responsibility for all shareholders.

Industrial soundproofing of marine engines is one of the many recommendations by noise hazard safety experts adopted into the maritime standards and policies. Marine engines generate excessive noise above the acceptable limit of sound (< 85 decibels). It has necessitated the design of marine engines with soundproofs and the need for alterations to allow for the installation of soundproofs in marine engines originally lacking soundproofing.

Sounds and an excess of it (noise) results primarily from the amphibious engines and secondarily from engines in onboard mechanical or electro-mechanical systems. Both noises are undesired and require the development of methodologies to mitigate them.

How to Mitigate Yacht Sound Pollution with Soundproofing

Experts of noise management and several organizations have developed and mastered containing noise from yacht engines. Some of the most effective noise management techniques are:

1. Usage of soundproofing barriers:

An adhesive-like material that can easily be fitted like a chewed gum is placed on a body of a plastic pipe. These soundproofing barriers are installed inside the yacht cabins and engine rooms to mitigate the resulting noises.

2. Use of noise isolation systems:

Noise isolation systems are technological products designed to mitigate potentially harmful noises produced within an area drastically. These devices are strategically positioned and are more effective with an area to a number of device ratio.

3. Sound Dampening Materials:

Since vibrations from moving parts of marine engines are a major notorious mechanical phenomenon that produces noise, experts use sound dampening materials to lag engine parts, sittings of these engines, nuts, and screw meet points.

4. Anti-drumming mats:

Excessive noise and vibrations from yacht occupants and engines are managed by using anti-drumming mats made by heavy acoustic foil. These specially made mats are placed at doorways to help curb excessive noise pollution.

5. Fabrication:

An age-long system of noise control for marine engines is an engineering control that involves the design, fabrication, and installation of a sound-proof cage-like structure around the engine (primarily) and sound-proofing walls of the yacht engine room.

6. Complete Soundproofed Exhaust system:

Dry and Wet custom exhaust systems are probably the most effective way to soundproof marine engines. Made from Stainless Steel or GRP (Glass Reinforced Polymer).

The difference between Dry and Wet exhaust system

• Dry Exhaust:

Compare a dry exhaust to the exhaust pipe of the car: a pipe with a flexible connecting piece on the exhaust manifold, discharging the exhaust gases directly to the outside air. A dry muffler is often required to muffle the noise. Cooling water from the engine is added to the exhaust system either externally or at a much later stage. The tubes and pipes are often made of steel to prevent them from melting due to the high temperature. It is a simple system, but with two major drawbacks: it emits intense heat of up to 600°C at the source, and it produces more noise.

• Wet Exhaust:

It is recognizable by the manifold that is mounted on the engine. This is often custom-made from GRP (Glass Reinforced Polymer). The heated cooling water in the engine is around 60-90°C when it leaves the engine, so it can be perfectly used to cool the 600°C exhaust gases. Water and gases are often not yet mixed in the first section of the exhaust pipe. That is to prevent the water from entering and blocking the gases from exiting the engine. Gases must be able to exit the engine smoothly so as not to compromise the engine performance. At a short distance from the engine, the gases and liquids come together and exit the engine.

To find your best-fitting complete exhaust system to soundproof your engine you might want to take advantage of the experienced industry-leading company SilencERmarine.

SilencERmarine develops, manufactures, and market throughout the world stainless steel and GRP (Glass Reinforced Polymer) silencers, complete exhaust systems (R.I.Na. – Italian Naval Registry, D.N.V., and Lloyd’s Register approved as well as any other approvals required), and all components and accessories needed to install these.

Benefits of Soundproofing

It is important to note that failure to effectively soundproof onboard engines can rack up serious consequences. Some of these consequences may include the deteriorating health of the crew, who are often the first victims of sound pollution to occupational hazards due to longer exposure to noise emanating from onboard engines.

The resultant effect may see yacht owners paying litigation and compensation fees. In addition, non-compliance to regulatory noise limit aboard could incur strict penalties and fines from respective authorities.

The benefits of soundproofing a typical yacht outweighs putting up with the noise encountered during sails. Some of these advantages are:

1. Improved reputation for yacht owners which is good for business.
2. Increased ROI by implementing reliable soundproof materials such as Steel dry silencers.
3. Compliance with regulatory standards thanks to top-tier industry GRP silencers and separators.
4. Easy detection of mechanical or operational anomalies due to the absence of noise.

Methodologies and Materials to Mitigate Noise in Onboard Engines

The application of these soundproof materials is largely dependent on the design and location of the yacht engine. Since onboard engines could be integrated inside or in the outer parts of the yacht, the preferred application of soundproof materials varies. IMO (International Maritime Organization), the custodian of the Safety At Sea (SAS) internationally, does not compromise its stance regarding maritime safety. For more specificity, noise control is not given less attention.

Sanctions are often meted on violators in a bid to ensure reduced safety challenges on the seas. To avoid such sanctions and penalties from regulatory bodies such as IMO, simply ensure to install sound proofers around marine engine parts and even the yacht’s cabins. If you need expert advice on your soundproofing needs, you can contact www.silencermarine.com

Ultimately, maritime investors, yacht owners, captains, staff crew, visitor crew, and other stakeholders are expected to report cases of noise pollution to relevant authorities as this may be injurious to the health and well-being of the occupants. The health and safety of those on board should be considered as primary and most important. Industrial soundproofing for marine engines is fundamental and should be encouraged internationally and otherwise.

National policymakers should consider creating regulations that border around efficient soundproofing practices.