Sonia Parmar –
The Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI), Navi Mumbai Chapter, hosted an insightful Monthly Lecture Meeting at MASSA Maritime Academy (MMA), Belapur on 22nd October, focusing on a growing environmental issue that is increasingly attracting global regulatory attention: Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) generated by commercial shipping.
The session, held in MMA’s state-of-the-art classroom equipped with smart boards and modern digital facilities, was attended by maritime professionals from across the industry, including representatives from ports, maritime training institutes, RPSL companies, government departments, private sector organisations and maritime media. The event was conducted in both physical and online formats.
The meeting was opened by Capt Nalin Pandey, Chairman of the CMMI NM Chapter and MMA Trustee.
The session was coordinated under the leadership of Capt Anand Shingatgeri, Principal of MASSA Maritime Academy, with Capt AP Srivastava, Vice Principal, overseeing guest and delegate engagement.
The lecture centred on the Framework for Integrated Shipboard Harmonic Control (FISH), a pilot initiative developed by the MMA faculty team. The concept aims to integrate operational, technical, regulatory and awareness-based measures to address anthropogenic underwater sound generated by ships.
The presentations were delivered by Capt Samir Kumar and Mr Vikram Gokhale, both faculty members at MMA, with significant background contributions from engineering faculty member Mr Vikrant Thorat. The speakers highlighted how ship-generated noise can interfere with marine mammals’ ability to communicate, navigate, locate food and avoid predators.
The discussion referenced the widely reported incident in the Bahamas, where 17 beaked whales were found stranded following high-intensity naval sonar activity, an event that helped trigger international concern over underwater noise pollution. Since then, the issue has gained prominence within the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which has issued guidelines aimed at reducing underwater radiated noise from ships.
Experts outlined both operational and technical mitigation measures, including speed optimisation, improved hull and propeller maintenance, advanced propeller designs, vibration isolation systems and route planning in environmentally sensitive areas.
Many attendees noted that it was their first exposure to the subject, despite its growing significance within international maritime environmental discussions. Valuable contributions were also made by senior maritime professionals including Capt HK Mishra and Capt Mohanty.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Capt Pawan Gupta, General Secretary of DRACEA. Special recognition was also given to Capt BP Singh, General Secretary of the CMMI Navi Mumbai Chapter, for mobilising participation at short notice.
The event concluded with a strong call for greater industry awareness, research and collaborative action. Participants expressed hope that the MMA initiative would stimulate broader debate and encourage both government and private stakeholders in India to support efforts aimed at reducing underwater noise and protecting marine ecosystems.
Marex Media