Marine Anti-Vibration Mounts for Reducing Underwater Noise

At Christie & Grey, sustainability is built into everything we do. We believe our team has a responsibility to protect the planet, both inside the office and out.

Starting closer to home, we…

• Encourage environmentally-friendly ways of commuting to work, from car sharing to e-biking and walking.
• Switch off the computers and power sockets every day.
• Archive documents electronically, cutting down significantly on printing.

Not only do we adhere to this in the office, but also in our anti-vibration mounts that we produce.

Underwater Noise from Vessels

Ships can have a negative impact on both human and marine life.

Studies have shown that Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) from commercial ships can cause both short and long-term negative consequences on marine life, especially marine mammals.

Impacts on Marine Mammals

In marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and seals, this includes:

• Acoustic masking occurs where ship noise overlaps the frequencies used by marine mammals for communication and navigation. This can lead to disorientation and stranding as it makes it harder for them to communicate.
• Behavioural disruption, including disrupting forage dives and feeding, or reduced socialisation in response to ship noise.
• Increased stress levels – exposure to shipping noise causes psychological stress in marine mammals.

Impacts on Fish and Invertebrates

In fish and invertebrates, these impacts include:

• Psychological stress and developmental issues – studies have shown that exposure to boat noise leads to a 22% higher death rate in invertebrates such as sea hares.
• Reduced foraging – increased noise has been shown to cause lobsters to exhibit reduced immune competency and impaired nutrition.
• Behavioural changes – noise from vessels cause fish such as cod and tuna to become uncoordinated, affecting their ability to feed, swim, and protect their schools.

This doesn’t just impact marine life; it creates a lasting impact on communities that rely on the ocean for their food and livelihoods.

Guidance on Reducing Underwater Noise

The Marine Environment Protection Committee released guidance in 2023, recognising that commercial shipping is one of the main contributors to underwater radiated noise. They provided updated technical knowledge and approaches to reduce the underwater radiated noise of any ship.

How our Marine Anti-Vibration Mounts Reduce Underwater Radiated Noise

Christie & Grey specialises in designing and supplying engineered marine vibration isolation solutions to challenging marine and offshore environments.

Our anti-vibration mounts have been designed to reduce underwater radiated noise from vessels, protecting marine ecosystems and wildlife from disruptions.

By significantly reducing structure-borne noise and vibration transmitted from ship machinery, such as engines, generators, and pumps, into the vessel’s hull and subsequently the water, these mounts help minimise noise pollution, which is crucial for protecting marine ecosystems.

Some of our marine anti-vibration solutions include:

• TSCs – Our TSC range combines spring and rubber elements to provide high levels of isolation. The T1 and T2 are effective for a wide range of rotating and reciprocating machinery, while the T10 and T20 are specifically suited for marine propulsion engines and generating sets, including diesel fire pumps. The T3 handles large marine diesel propulsion and generating sets, and the T15 is designed for small to medium marine equipment.
• Genflex & Marinflex – Genflex mountings use an inclined rubber element design to achieve much higher deflections than simple rubber compression devices, giving superior isolation of low frequency vibration. Marinflex is available in three sizes and three rubber compounds, covering loads from 12kg to 1,100kg.
• MPM and MPBM Rubber Isolators – These are specifically designed for marine propulsion, where total inversion is a requirement.
• MRM Marine Rubber Turret Mountings – Designed for superior attenuation of medium to high frequency vibration from motor-driven machines, particularly axial and centrifugal fans.
• Captive Rubber Mountings – These are designed for high ambient temperature conditions, making them ideal for exhaust system applications.
• Marine Rubber Hangers – These reduce high-frequency noise and vibration and support wide load ranges with flexible fixing options.

Working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) works to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision managers with reliable information through cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation. This includes daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, climate monitoring, fisheries management, coastal restoration, and supporting marine commerce.

Their mission to better understand our natural world and help protect its precious resources extends beyond national borders to monitor global weather and climate, alongside partners across the world.

Christie & Grey has supplied NOAA’s research vessels with marine vibration isolation mounts, supporting the agency’s Ocean Noise Strategy commitments to reduce anthropogenic impact on marine habitats.

Learn more about our Anti-Vibration Solutions

To find out more about Christie & Grey’s anti-vibration solutions, view our full product range, or reach out to our team today.

FAQs

What causes underwater radiated noise from ships?

Underwater radiated noise from ships is caused by machinery noise when vibrations from engines, propellers and pumps travel through the hull into the water.

How do anti-vibration mounts reduce underwater noise pollution?

Anti-vibration mounts reduce underwater noise pollution by isolating machinery vibration from the ship’s hull, preventing it from radiating into the water.

What regulations govern ship noise pollution?

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) provides international, voluntary guidelines aimed at reducing noise from commercial shipping, which is a major contributor to anthropogenic noise in the ocean.

How do Christie & Grey’s mounts protect marine ecosystems?

Christie & Grey’s anti-vibration mounts protect marine ecosystems by significantly reducing underwater radiated noise from vessels. This protects marine ecosystems and wildlife from short and long-term consequences such as psychological stress and developmental issues, behavioural disruption, and acoustic masking.