Underwater Noise from Skiffs to Ships

• Main Author: Chris Gabriele
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Glacier Bay; glacier; Alaska
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.541.2344; http://www.nps.gov/glba/naturescience/upload/kipple_gabriele2007_underwaternoise.pdf

Abstract. How loud are the underwater sounds emitted by skiffs, work boats, tour vessels, and cruise ships? The answer to this question is an important element of any effort to assess potential impacts of vessel operations on marine life. It is also important from a vessel management standpoint as managers attempt to understand whether oversight of individual vessels, vessel types, and vessel operating conditions can help to control levels of manmade underwater sound. This paper details the results of an effort to establish underwater sound levels emitted by a variety of vessels that are common to Glacier Bay, Alaska. For these vessels, levels ranged from 157 to 182 decibels re 1 microPascal at 1-yard.