The HaiSea Wamis is so quiet that it would take 10 electric tugboats running side-by-side to produce the same underwater noise as a single conventional diesel tug.
HaiSea Marine’s first fully electric tugboat, the HaiSea Wamis, is now also the first tugboat to receive an Underwater Noise Notation from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), validating HaiSea’s mission of operating one of the greenest tugboat fleets in the world.
The electric tugboat performed sea trials up and down Indian Arm last fall to put its ultra-low underwater noise to the test. Data was measured over a two-day period from underwater hydrophones to prove the Wamis could perform under established benchmarks for noise. The results gained the HaiSea Wamis its Underwater Noise Notation (UWN+) from ABS – a nod to the extra efforts that went into its design by Vancouver-based naval architect company, Robert Allan Ltd. on the Wamis’ electric propulsion system which considerably reduces noise and vibrations.
“When we formed HaiSea, we had a vision and a dream to design and build one of the greenest tugboat fleets in the world that would serve the Douglas Channel,” says Chief Crystal Smith, Elected Chief Councillor of the Haisla Nation. “This Notation proves that together with our partners, we have achieved that dream. The HaiSea crew, majority of whom are Haisla members, will be operating the greenest and quietest tugboat fleet in the world right here in our home waters,”
The HaiSea Wamis not only benefits the air by reducing gas emissions, but also contributes to decreasing noise pollution in the ocean.
Marine mammals use sound to communicate, navigate, feed, and detect danger. But over the past several decades, an increasing number of human-caused sources have been filling the seas with sound. The increase in noise pollution can negatively impact foraging, communication, reproduction, and other behavioural aspects of marine mammals, especially whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
“This Underwater Noise Notation delivers on one of the first promises that our team made to the Haisla Nation: that we would protect the Douglas Channel and their home by producing one of the greenest tugboat fleets in the world,” says Jordan Pechie, senior vice president of Seaspan Marine Transportation. “The HaiSea fleet was intentionally designed and built to protect the environment and our team is incredibly proud to honour this commitment.”
To date, all three of HaiSea’s fully electric tugboats, the Wamis, Wee’git, and Brave have arrived in North Vancouver and were recently joined by the HaiSea Kermode – North America’s first large dual-fuel LNG escort tug. Later this year, HaiSea’s full fleet will make its voyage up the Douglas Channel to Kitimat, where it will be based to provide ship-assist and escort towing services to LNG carriers calling at LNG Canada’s new export facility in the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation.
The HaiSea Wamis will help support Canada’s marine industry in a sustainable way, that can serve Canada for years to come. Together, we hope to create more efficient vessels like the HaiSea Wamis and foster a vibrant marine industry, while improving the health of the global ocean soundscape for marine life and the people who depend on it.
To learn more about HaiSea Marine, visit www.haiseamarine.com.
