Noise and Exposure of Personnel Aboard Vessels in the Royal Norwegian Navy

Abstract

Despite awareness of noise aboard vessels at sea, few studies have reported measured noise levels aboard ships. This study aimed to describe the noise levels aboard vessels in the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN), and to assess the noise exposure of personnel aboard RNoN vessels. In 2012/2013 noise measurements were conducted aboard 14 RNoN vessels from four different vessel classes (frigates, coastal corvettes, mine vessels, and coast guard vessels) which were included in this study. Mean and median A-weighted noise levels (L p,A) in decibel (dB(A)) were calculated for different locations in each vessel class. The noise exposure of RNoN personnel was assessed by dosimeter measurements, and with a task-based (TB) strategy. The TB strategy used means of area measured noise levels in locations and the personnel's mean reported time spent in the respective locations to estimate the exposure. Area measurements of noise during sailing with typical operating modes, showed that for all vessel classes the noise levels were high in engine rooms with median L p,A ranging from 86.4 to 105.3 dB(A). In all the other locations the vessel class with the highest noise levels (coastal corvettes) had a median L p,A ranging from 71.7 to 95.0 dB(A), while the vessel class with the lowest noise levels (coast guard vessels) had a median L p,A ranging from 41.5 to 57.8 dB(A). For all vessel classes the engineers and electricians had amongst the highest 24-hour noise exposure (L p,A,24h), both before and after adjusting for estimated use of hearing protective devices (L p,A,24h > 67.3 dB(A)). The vessel class with the highest personnel exposure levels (coastal corvettes) had L p,A,24h ranging from 76.6 to 79.3 dB(A). The vessel class with the lowest personnel exposure levels (coast guard vessels) had an L p,A,24h ranging from 47.4 to 67.3 dB(A). In general, the dosimeter measurements gave higher exposure levels than those estimated with the TB strategy. All vessel classes, except the coast guard vessels, had noise levels exceeding the RNoN standard's recommended maximum noise levels. The area measured noise levels and the personnel's exposure estimates indicate that navy personnel aboard RNoN vessels are at risk of acquiring adverse health effects from exposure to noise, and that a program to reduce the noise levels should be implemented.

Hypertension among Danish seafarers

“…Noise exposure of vessels' crews at sea is inevitable, and seafarers have to suffer from 24 h of daily background noise for several months on board. Measured noise levels are highest in the engine rooms, followed by the levels on deck [25]. This may partly explain the high prevalence of hypertension for seafarers working in these two areas.…”

“…A multitude and combinations of risk factors on board can have an adverse health effect on seafarers' cardiovascular health [7,10,11,24] and lead to elevated BP in seafarers [24][25][26]. Health consequences such as overweight and diabetes are other frequent consequences of life at sea that are related to hypertension [8].…”

Noise and sleep on board vessels in the Royal Norwegian Navy

“…Thus, younger seamen's cabins have a higher equivalent noise levels as compared to the officer's cabins normally placed further away from such noise sources. [ 16 ]…”

“…[ 14 15 ] A recent study in the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) reported mean noise levels in cabins during typical operating modes to range from 44 to 78 dB(A) depending on vessel type. [ 16 ] According to the WHO guidelines (i.e., L eq,night,outside of 40 dB(A)), these levels are expected to disturb sleep. [ 3 ]…”

A review of the physiological and psychological health and wellbeing of naval service personnel and the modalities used for monitoring

“…While trying to sleep, the seafarer must address factors, such as the noise and vibration of the ship, and adverse weather conditions that can cause irregular ship movements [37]. A study on the royal Norwegian Navy found that noise levels on-board vessels exceeded the recommended amount, which could lead to adverse health effects [289]. Research has also found that sleep disruption that results from noise can vary according to the individual’s age and the location of their sleeping quarters [65].…”