By
Alex Smith |
Ponant’s Le Jacques-Cartier has been awarded the Bureau Veritas class notation NR614 for underwater radiated noise, recognising the low level of noise pollution that the expedition cruise ship produces.
The notation establishes requirements for the measurement of underwater radiated noise and the acoustic sound signature emitted by self-propelled ships to support the management and reduction of the impact of noise on marine fauna. Le Jacques-Cartier underwent tests in September in the Gulf of Morbihan off the coast of Brittany, France. Bureau Veritas and acoustic specialists Quiet Oceans used a measurement buoy in the form of a floating line with 3 hydrophones to analyse the sound radiation from the vessel.
“Ponant has been implementing the latest green technologies for the construction of its Ponant Explorers series of sister-ships and has now chosen to take a proactive approach to limiting underwater noise pollution,” said Bruno Dabouis, vice president of Bureau Veritas for South Europe and North America.
The URN notation, valid for five years at a maximum speed of 13 knots, is provided in addition to the Bureau Veritas Comfort 1 certification for the lowest possible noise impact level, which Bureau Veritas has issued to the entire Ponant fleet.
The cruise line took part in the Port of Vancouver’s ECHO programme in 2017 to reduce their speed in an important feeding area for whales, an initiative which it subsequently extended to all of its ships regardless of their location. It has also contributed to the European collaborative research project AQUO, which studies the modelling of underwater noise and has published recommendations for optimising the construction of future ships.
“We are very happy to have obtained this certification recognising the years of research and development dedicated to the creation of the Ponant Explorers series,” said Mathieu Petiteau, director of newbuilding, research and development at Ponant. “It perfectly illustrates PONANT’s commitment to making environmental protection its priority, right from the design of ships