Canadian Coast Guard Search & Rescue Ships
Location: Wheatly, Ontario.
Manufacturer: Hike Metal Products
Owner/Operator: Canadian Coast Guard
Hike Metal Products, is a custom boat and ship builder with commercial, government, and private sector clients. The ship manufacturer was awarded a contract by the Canadian government to build and deliver over time, a fleet of 10 new SAR (Search and Rescue) Patrol Boats for The Canadian Coast Guard as part of the federal government’s National Shipbuilding Strategy — a long-term project to renew Canada’s federal fleet of combat and non-combat vessels.
These ships are specifically designed, equipped, and crewed to respond to Search and Rescue incidents at sea. These self-righting vessels can operate up to 100 nautical miles from shore, maintain a maximum 30 minute state-of-readiness, and are typically ready to respond the moment an alert is received. These patrol boats are also capable of operating in all weather conditions in semi-sheltered waters. As a station mode vessel, the crew does not live onboard, but is based out of a shore station. These new patrol boats are all named after geographical bays across Canada, hence their alternate designation of Bay-class SAR Boats
Patrol Boat Noise and Vibration Measurements
HGC Noise Vibration Acoustics was retained by Hike Metals to conduct maritime operating noise and vibration measurements of newly built SAR ships prior to their release and delivery to the Canadian Coast Guard. These measurements are required as part of Hike Metals contractual obligations to the Canadian Government, which requires the ship builder to design and construct the Vessels to minimize noise and vibration. Specifically, it requires that “noise and vibration levels for the Vessel must comply with Canada’s Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Part 12 of the regulations (Prevention of Noise and Vibration), section 161 indicates that “the level of sound in a work place must be less than 85 dBA”. But that if this is not feasible, an employee must not be exposed in any 24-hour period to levels exceeding certain stated values. These values range from an 8-hour exposure to sounds between 85 to 90 dB, to a 0.25 hour exposure to sounds between 110 to 115 dB. This section of the specification requires that the noise level in the enclosed bridge and the survivors’ space must not exceed 85 dBA.
The specification also requires that habitability vibration complies with ISO 6954:2000 Classification C. ISO 6954:2000 necessitates that vibration measurements are conducted in three directions in at least two locations on each deck. The vibration measurements are to be conducted in 1/3 octave bands, between 1 to 80 Hz. The 1/3 octave band levels are to be weighted using a described weighting network, and the weighted values combined to determine an overall frequency-weighted RMS vibration value. Classification C requires that this value not exceed 286 mm/s2.
Ship Sound and Vibration level measurements
Sound and Vibration level measurements were conducted on the vessels during maritime operations on Lake Erie’s Groswater Bay. Measurement were taken at various locations on the Upper, Main, and Lower decks, including the Flying Bridge, Duty Station, Geometric Centre, Fore Cabin , Survivor’s Space, Engine Room, and Steering Gear Compartment.
To date HGC has conducted these acoustical assessments on Canadian Coast Guard Ships (CCGS) CCGS Shediac Bay, CCGS Gabarus Bay, and CCGS Barrington Bay, and CCGS Groswater Bay.
Ongoing Acoustical Consulting Services Include:
- Noise Measurements and Assessment to verify compliance with Canadian Government’s Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Part 12.
- Vibration Measurements and Assessment to verify compliance with ISO 6954:2000 Classification C.
