NCE conducted a two day workshop to review and discuss noise reduction technologies capable of mitigating the underwater acoustical footprint from oil and gas industry activities. This is part of an on-going effort funded by the International Assoc. of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP) as part of a Joint Industry Program (JIP). JANUARY 2007 NCE completed sea trials on the new Ro/Ro Ferry ISLAND HOME for the Massachusetts Steamship Authority. The Ferry will carry passengers and cars between Woods Hole and Martha's Vineyard, MA. NCE performed airborne noise analysis using Designer-NOISE and full hull & superstructure finite element analysis (FEA). These analyses were instrumental in vibration isolating the main engines. The ISLAND HOME is the first ship to have vibration isolated EMD's. Testing conducted by NCE this past January show the ship to have very smooth and quiet ride. NOVEMBER 2006 Michael Bahtiarian is heading up an ASA committee (under S12) to develop an underwater noise measurement standard for commercial vessels. Anyone interested in joining this committee should contact Mike. AUGUST 2006 NCE welcomes a new addition to the staff - Louis Pettit. He has joined us as a Senior Engineer. He brings close to thirty years of experience in marine acoustics. We look forward to Lou's inputs on our various projects. JUNE 2006 NCE served as shipyard representative to VT Halter Marine the underwater noise survey of the NOAA FSV-2, HENRY BIGELOW. The vessel was tested by the U.S. Navy at the Atlantic Undersea Test & Evaluation Center (AUTEC) on Andros Island in the Bahamas. The preliminary results look very promising, according to NCE.
NCE Notable Facts & Accomplishments
NCE was the acoustic engineering firm for the FIRST vessel to achieve the ICES underwater noise requirement of CRR209 (For details click here).
NCE was the acoustic engineering firm on the SECOND vessel to achieve the ICES underwater noise requirement of CRR209 (For details click here).
NCE is the co-developer of Designer-NOISE, the FIRST GUI-based noise prediction software exclusively for ships (For details click here).
NCE is the developer of Sound-Guard, the FIRST commercial shipboard underwater noise monitoring software program (For details click here).
NCE has completed over 100 successful marine/industrial noise control projects and surveyed over 100 marine vessels since its inception (For details click here).
NCE staff has testified as expert witnesses in at least one dozen court and municipal board hearings.
NCE staff, Raymond Fischer & Leo Boroditsky, were the 2000 authors of the supplement to the Design Guide for Shipboard Airborne Noise Control, contracted by the U.S. Coast Guard.
NCE staff, Raymond Fischer & Courtney Burroughs, were the 1983 coauthors of the SNAME, "Design Guide for Shipboard Airborne Noise Control" (T&R 3-37) a landmark shipboard noise control guide for the last twenty years.
NCE was started by Raymond Fischer in 1991. After 15+ years the firm has 9 employees.
Noise Control Engineering, Inc.
799 Middlesex Turnpike
Billerica, MA 01821