Engineering the Silence – Acoustic Design Consultancy for a Mega-Yacht New Build

The shipyard had just secured a prestigious project: a 90 meter Mega-Yacht with an extraordinary design. Its architecture included numerous and uniquely shaped windows, making it stand out from other yachts of its class.

This ambitious build came with stringent contractual noise and vibration requirements. Every area of the yacht—from guest cabins and the saloon to crew quarters and even a barber room—had to meet high acoustic comfort standards. The shipyard engaged JASCO ShipConsult to ensure full compliance with all specifications.

To ensure the yacht met the highest noise and vibration standards, the ShipConsult team provided full-cycle acoustic design support—from concept development through to final testing.

Developing the Acoustic Concept

The process began early in the design phase with the creation of an acoustic concept. This included predictive noise level calculations for all key onboard spaces, based on preliminary vessel specifications and machinery data. The early concept helped the shipyard make informed decisions about equipment selection and layout planning.

Addressing Immediate Acoustic Risks

Initial assessments flagged several potential issues:

• Forward Cabins: Noise from the transverse thruster during Dynamic Positioning exceeded limits. A quieter system was proposed.
• Engine Room to Gym: Risk of sound transfer prompted an increase in wall thickness to accommodate better insulation.
• Generator Foundation: Structural impedance was inadequate. Design modifications were recommended to enhance stiffness and reduce vibration.

Insulation Planning and Vibration Isolation

Working closely with the insulation vendor, the team developed a detailed insulation plan. Materials for damping, absorption, and insulation were selected and distributed based on the noise transmission calculation’s results.

Elastic mounts were selected for each relevant machinery and matched to each system’s operating frequency and mass. The design also emphasized eliminating flanking paths through improved foundation and structural attachments.

Construction Phase Monitoring

As construction progressed, ShipConsult engineers conducted site visits to verify implementation. They reviewed walls, ceilings, floors, and all major installations, checking alignment with acoustic plans and confirming that elastic elements were installed correctly.

On-Site Issue Resolution

Later in the build, unexpected issues surfaced:

• Pool Pump Noise: Located on an upper deck, the pump produced more noise than anticipated.
• Noise transmission by windows: In two cabins, windows transmitted the noise from the steel structure into the accommodation.

Both issues were promptly analyzed, and technical solutions were co-developed with the shipyard to mitigate the risks before final testing.

Final Testing and Adjustments

Before sea trials, airborne noise tests in port showed excellent results. However, privacy measurements revealed that several door seals needed adjustment. The shipyard quickly implemented fixes, and re-tested confirmed compliance.

The final Sea Acceptance Test involved full-system noise and vibration measurements under operational conditions. Every specified position met or exceeded the acoustic requirements.

The project delivered exceptional acoustic outcomes. The yacht owner was highly satisfied and accepted the vessel’s noise and vibration performance without hesitation.

The shipyard also benefited: they successfully met one of the most challenging specifications in yacht building, preserving their reputation for high-quality Mega-Yachts which reliably meet the owner’s specifications.

By identifying and managing acoustic risks early and effectively, the project also provided valuable insights for future builds—proving that silence, when engineered, can be a defining feature of luxury.