A prediction method for the underwater acoustic signature of steel surface vessels, allowing for a quick approximation during the design stage

摘要

This paper describes a prediction method for the contribution of the main onboard machinery to the underwater acoustic signature of steel surface vessels that can be used during the design stage. There are two reasons for the development of this method. Firstly, a small acoustic signature is important for naval and research vessels, due to operational requirements concerning detection and interference with acoustic equipment. Furthermore, anthropogenic noise underwater is an issue that receives increasing attention from the international community. This is due to the increase of underwater ambient sound levels over the last decades and concern about the impact on marine life. The prediction method uses Statistical Energy Analysis to model the vibration levels on the hull, using a simplified representation of the vessel. These vibration levels are converted into the source level of the vessel, an expression generally used to concisely describe the acoustic signature of a vessel. The method is validated with measurements.