Validation of computational and experimental prediction methods

Validation of computational and experimental prediction methods for the underwater radiated noise of a small research vessel
Model tests and computations to determine the propel-ler-induced hull pressure fluctuations are carried out on a regular basis for many ship types, e.g. cruise ships, yachts, container vessels and bulk carriers. Underwater radiated noise (URN), however, was traditionally main-ly of interest to naval vessels with regard to the detec-tion of ships and to fishery research vessels to comply with the ICES209 norm. Nowadays, it is becoming increasingly important for other vessels as well, such as cruise ships and merchant ships. There is a growing concern that marine life is affected by the rise in back-ground noise levels in the oceans, which is being caused by an increase in shipping, amongst other factors. Ma-rine mammals and fish use sound to communicate and to sense their environment and this requires low back-ground noise levels. Therefore, the European Union (EU) has included URN in the methodological standards on good environmental status of marine waters. It is known that one of the dominant noise sources is the cavitating propeller. The URN of a cavitating propeller can be predicted, before the ship is built, using experi-mental or computational procedures.