Noise characterisation of the Aurora Australis while stationary in Antarctic sea ice

• Published in: Ocean Engineering
• Main Authors: Alexander, P, Duncan, A, Bose, N, Wilkes, D, Lewis, R, de Souza, P
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd 2014
• Subjects: Engineering; Maritime Engineering; Naval Architecture; Antarctic; Low Point; Antarc*; aurora australis; Australian Antarctic Division; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2014.02.030; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/92509

This work investigates the underwater noise propagation of the primary vessel used by the Australian Antarctic Division Aurora Australis while stationary in a configuration and location suitable for under-ice Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) deployment. It outlines a novel method for recording and validating the noise of a vessel using available equipment and standard deployment options. Numerical modelling using the Fast Multipole Boundary Element Method (FMBEM) is combined with the response to a calibrated source to assess the limitations and residual uncertainty of the experiment. The results of this work indicate that there is a 10 dB re 1 μPa reduction in mean noise by removal of main engine noise and a low point in ship noise at 3.8 kHz. Two hundred metres depth was found to be a preferred depth for uniformity in the noise field.