RS Aqua Upgrades Underwater Acoustic Monitoring for Offshore Wind
RS Aqua has updated its Marlin underwater acoustic monitoring system, integrating three key compliance capabilities for offshore wind development: harbor porpoise detection, acoustic anomaly detection, and impulsive noise metrics monitoring.
Harbor Porpoise Detection
The system continuously monitors for high-frequency clicks from harbor porpoises, a protected species, providing near real-time awareness of their presence in project areas. This helps developers demonstrate compliance with marine mammal protection requirements during construction activities such as piling.
The system continuously monitors for high-frequency clicks from harbor porpoises, providing near real-time awareness of their presence in project areas.
Acoustic Anomaly Detection
Marlin profiles the underwater environment to establish a baseline sound signature and automatically identifies unexpected acoustic events, such as those from illegal vessel activity or security disturbances.
Impulsive Noise Metrics Monitoring
The system automatically measures metrics required for environmental assessments, including Sound Pressure Level, Sound Exposure Level, Power Spectral Density, and 1/3 octave band SPL analysis. Customizable thresholds generate notifications via app or email when exceeded.
System Components
The Marlin system comprises three integrated parts:
- Marlin Link: Self-contained telemetry hardware deployed in the field, connecting to acoustic recorders and transmitting data.
- Marlin Cloud: Secure processing layer that stores data, runs AI-enabled analytics, and generates real-time alerts.
- Marlin Connect: Desktop application for live and historical data visualization, detection results, and export.
The system operates autonomously on buoys or fixed platforms, reducing monitoring costs. Its approach has been evaluated in a peer-reviewed study published in the paper "Marlin: A Near Real-Time Adaptive Framework for Intelligent Marine Acoustic Monitoring."