The noise pollution of maritime traffic: The case of the Dardanelles’ ferries

Abstract

Noise pollution is one of Turkey’s important environmental problems of today as it has impacted negatively on public health. This paper analyses the extent of noise levels emitted by public ferries at the Çanakkale port, Dardanelles. Measurements were taken 4 times a day in for a whole week with 5 hour intervals from 8.00 in the morning to 23.00 in the evening. It was found that the maximum noise level was 89.4 dB in a one-day measurement, while the minimum noise levels 60.0 dB. Similar results were obtained for the whole week of measurement where the maximum noise level was 91,1 dB and the minimum 60,1 dB . This gave an average weekly value of around 75 dB which was clearly higher than the EPA mean value of 70dB, and denoting the potential ill effect of noise pollution by ferry traffics in Dardanelles. This means that mitigating measures should be enhanced, some of which include diversion of the ferries away from the main port, use of noise reduction gears by vessels, the creation of vegetative buffer zone within the port vicinity, prohibition of horning by vessels, and stringent enforcement of the noise control laws.

Keywords: buffer zones, ferry, maritime vessels, mitigation measures, noise pollution, public health