New Study: Expedition Cruise Ships Among Quietest in Arctic Waters
Most expedition cruise vessels operating in the Canadian Arctic produce lower underwater noise levels than cargo ships, tankers, and bulk carriers measured in the same areas, according to results from a collaborative research program measuring ship noise in Arctic waters.
The findings draw on more than 66 vessel noise measurements from 11 operators, covering 20 expedition cruise vessels.
Key findings
The results come from the Underwater Noise Measurement, Management and Mitigation in the Canadian Arctic (UNM³ CA) program, which combines field measurements with operational data to better understand how vessel activity influences underwater radiated noise.
The program also shows that many member vessels belonging to AECO, the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators, operate at or below recognized “quiet vessel” reference standards across much of the measured frequency range—a level that comparatively few commercial cargo vessels meet at similar speeds.
Full story New Study: Expedition Cruise Ships Among Quietest in Arctic Waters
