THE CHALLENGE
Marine mammal monitoring regulations are becoming increasingly prevalent around the world to ensure environmentally responsible offshore operations.
For the Dieppe-Le Tréport wind farm, EMDT required a powerful, robust and efficient solution to detect cetaceans in the vicinity of the marine works. In addition, the solution had to operate effectively in harsh weather conditions so as not to disrupt the piling operations.
THE SOLUTION
The QuietSea™ marine mammal monitoring system can be deployed on boats, buoys and unmanned surface vehicles. This passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) system is designed to detect cetaceans during maritime activities that generate underwater noise, such as pile driving, drilling, or dredging. By automating detection, the system also reduces manpower requirements compared to traditional systems.
Sercel and SOMME, an environmental consulting firm, have jointly developed a comprehensive service offering to meet customer needs, including offshore operations.
A tailor-made solution was proposed using acoustic sensors directly from the pile-driving vessel, which is elevated 23 meters above sea level.
The main technical challenge was to provide a robust solution that could ensure continuous operation under all the conditions specific to this deployment. (Photo credit: SOMME).
CONCLUSION
Sercel's expertise and technology, combined with SOMME's tailored know-how, ensured the successful deployment of QuietSea for the EMDT project. This solution not only guarantees environmental protection but also ensures operational continuity despite noise from marine works and varying weather conditions, all while requiring minimal personnel.