Quiet Vessel Initiative: Technology, design, and operational measures for quieter Canadian waters

In the dark undersea world, sound is essential. For marine life, sounds often play a crucial role in communication, foraging, reproduction, and navigation. However, as human activity in the oceans increases, so does underwater noise. Various industries contribute to ocean noise—offshore energy, construction, military operations, and of course vessel traffic. The noise generated by vessels is referred to as underwater radiated noise. With growing activity from commercial shipping, offshore developments, fishing and recreational vessels, underwater radiated noise pollution is increasing.

This increase has serious consequences for marine life, particularly species that rely on sound to survive, such as marine mammals. Underwater radiated noise can mask natural sounds, which may make it difficult for individuals to communicate, find a mate or prey, or even avoid predators. Some may change their behaviours, such as communicating less or avoiding or abandoning important habitats. Underwater radiated noise may also increase stress and cause other health problems.

Underwater radiated noise is gaining attention. On the international stage, the International Maritime Organization updated its non-mandatory guidelines on reducing underwater radiated noise in 2023. In Canada, the federal government is developing an Ocean Noise Strategy to enhance the science, knowledge gathering, innovation, assessment, and guide management of underwater radiated noise while raising awareness of the issue.

The Quiet Vessel Initiative is a federally funded program through Transport Canada. Industry partners and researchers interested in potential research and development collaborations to advance innovative solutions in marine technology are invited to contact the Quiet Vessel Initiative team at Marine-RDD-maritime@tc.gc.ca.

Find out more about recent research and development results in Canada

Technology for detecting and analysing underwater vessel noise

Canada’s efforts to mitigate underwater radiated noise

Detecting and measuring underwater radiated noise

The problem of depth

Measuring sound: Onboard approaches

Simulations to spot a problem before it occurs

Coming up in the series

Quieter design for ships: new-build and retrofit options [coming March 2025]

Quieter operation for ships: large and small vessels [coming April 2025]

Quieter ferries in Canadian waters [coming May 2025]

Projects referenced in the Quiet Vessel Initiative article series include the following, with the final report provided where available:

Technology to Detect Noise

• A Novel URN Measurement Method Using a Waterproof Aerial Drone with Hydrophone “HyDrone” | BPE Technologies
• Continuous Logging of Underwater Noise Emissions (CLUE) | DNV / ABB Canada
• Characterizing Ferry Noise in Beluga Habitat | UQO Université du Québec en Outaouais
• Modelling, Calibration and Trials of Underwater Acoustic Ranges Towards Quieter Vessels | Dalhousie University: Intelligent Systems Laboratory
• Hydrodynamic Propeller Noise Monitoring System (HyPNoS) | Schottel
• Onboard Cavitation Monitoring | JASCO Applied Sciences
• Onboard Cavitation Monitoring | AllSalt Maritime
• Underwater Listening Station in Boundary Pass | JASCO Applied Sciences
• Shallow Water Vessel Source Level Measurements | JASCO Applied Sciences

Changing Vessel Design

Changing Vessel Operations

• Active Underwater Noise Cancellation | Rising Tide Bioacoustics
• Adaptive Physics-Based Machine Learning Framework for Anthropogenic Noise and Ocean Soundscape (MELO Project) | University of British Columbia: Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and Marine Mammal Research Unit
• CFD Tools for Prediction of Cavitation-Induced URN | University of Victoria: Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
• Hydrodynamic Propeller Noise Monitoring System (HyPNoS) | Schottel
• Mitigation of Radiated Noise of Small Marine Craft Using Condition-Based Monitoring | Martec Limited, Applied Technology Group, Lloyd’s Register
• Modelling of Operational Measures to Reduce Underwater Vessel Noise | JASCO Applied Sciences
• Development of Noise Reduction Measures for Conventionally Propelled Whale Watching Vessels | JASCO ShipConsult
• Validation of Underwater Radiated Noise Modelling via Specific Ship Measurement | ABS