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Noise pollution is more than just an environmental nuisance. The World Health Organization has acknowledged that it’s a health hazard. It’s a concern more pronounced in the maritime industry, where seafarers work in an environment prone to excessive noise and vibration. Without adequate marine sound proofing, excessive sounds and vibrations can affect the crew’s physical and mental health.
The Consequences That Seafarers Bear
According to research, noise levels beyond 55 decibels are already detrimental to health. Here are the most common consequences experienced by seafarers.
Sleep disturbances. Sleeping quarters and lounge areas in ships are affected by vibrations from the hull, propeller, and machinery systems. As a result, most of the workers on board experience sleep disturbances.
Fatigue and poorer concentration. Sleep is the body’s way of maintaining one’s physical health and brain function. Therefore, having a low quality of sleep can lead to both mental and physical fatigue. Apart from chronic fatigue, the lack of sleep can make it hard for seafarers to concentrate on their work. Vibrations can also affect how they handle equipment, lowering their output quality and productivity.
Vibration syndromes. With prolonged exposure to excessive vibrations, seafarers can also develop the so-called hand-arm vibration syndrome or, worse, the whole body vibration syndrome. Either syndrome can bring forth long-lasting distress to the affected individual. Apart from these two, maritime workers may also develop carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and other repetitive strain injuries.
Hearing loss. In any watercraft with little to no marine sound proofing, it doesn’t come as a surprise why several crew members would suffer from hearing loss. Some even come to a point where they would no longer be able to work aboard a ship (for instance, when their eardrums had already burst).
Tinnitus. This is the medical term for the ringing sound people hear in their ears. While it’s commonly caused by an underlying condition like age-related hearing loss, it can be aggravated by external factors — including noise pollution.
Addressing Noise Pollution In The Maritime Industry
Noise and vibration can significantly affect the working life in the maritime industry.
To reduce the prevalence of the ill effects of noise pollution among seafarers, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set regulations and guidelines.
For instance, machinery spaces have a noise level limit of 110 dB; 75 for machinery control rooms. The thresholds for radio and radar rooms are 60 and 65 dB, respectively. The noise level shouldn’t exceed 65 dB for navigating bridges and chartrooms.
Additionally, if seafarers have no hearing protector, they shouldn’t be exposed to noise levels above 85 dB for no more than eight hours.
One of the most cost-effective ways to address noise pollution is to equip the watercraft with marine sound proofing solutions.
Today, acoustic insulation coatings are available to efficiently create noise and vibration barriers — especially in engine rooms, where most ship noises come from. By dampening excessive sounds and vibrations, maritime workers can protect their physical and mental health and be more efficient at work.
The good news is that besides reducing noise, these coatings can also act as a thermal barrier and anti-condensation layer that can reduce energy costs, prolong the lifespan of the water vessel, and further improve interior comfort.
