NOISE EMITTED BY A CRUISE SHIP DURING DOCKING: MEASUREMENTS USING AN ACOUSTIC CAMERA

Cruise ships are complex systems that generate significant noise, even during docking operations, where continuous activities such as supply replenishment, maintenance, and operation of systems (e.g., electrical, HVAC, sanitary water) take place. This noise affects both the onboard environment and the surrounding areas. In this study, noise emissions from a newly manufactured cruise ship were investigated during its final docking phase at the shipyard. Onboard noise levels were measured using sound level meters, identifying key zones of interest. Concurrently, an acoustic camera was employed to assess noise propagation in the harbor environment. By applying beamforming algorithms, noise spectra from the selected zones were analyzed and compared to the onboard measurements. The results showed strong agreement between the two methods, validating the acoustic camera as a robust tool for quantitative noise analysis. Additionally, the acoustic camera proved advantageous in scenarios where traditional sound pressure level measurements are limited by the scale and complexity of the subject, such as large ships and dispersed noise sources. This highlights its value in marine noise studies and its potential for broader applications in similar challenging environments.