SEICHE LEADS PIONEERING PILOT STUDY TO ASSESS OFFSHORE PILING NOISE LIMITS IN ENGLISH AND WELSH WATERS

Seiche, in collaboration with a consortium of leading marine science organisations, is delivering an ambitious pilot programme to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed underwater noise limits from pile driving during the construction of offshore wind farms.

Commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the pilot study is being delivered by Seiche as lead contractor, working alongside partners SAMS Enterprise, SMRU Consulting and TNO. The study commenced during piling operations at RWE’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm and continued at ScottishPower Renewables’ East Anglia THREE Offshore Wind Farm, both of which have adopted noise reduction measures during construction in 2025 and 2026.

This pilot study follows a desk-based feasibility study undertaken by Seiche and Tetra Tech RPS Energy which evaluated realistic noise limit thresholds and designed the programme to test these scenarios in real-world settings.

Using a combination of autonomous underwater recording units (ARUs) and porpoise click detectors (F-PODs), the study will:

  • Assess the effectiveness of various noise abatement technologies under real conditions.
  • Evaluate how achievable the proposed decibel limits are in practice.
  • Improve scientific understanding of marine mammal disturbance, both with and without noise abatement systems (NAS).
  • Document operational experiences with NAS deployment in English and Welsh waters
  • Utilise results to inform future policy and implementation.

Field monitoring is now complete at Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, where a seabed array of passive acoustic monitoring devices was deployed in April 2025 to collect data during the installation of up to ten monopile foundations using a big bubble curtain (BBC) system. The Sofia monitoring programme also complements a wider effort led by SMRU Consulting to monitor porpoise responses during concurrent piling at Dogger Bank C Offshore Wind Farm, being developed and constructed by SSE Renewables. Together, these efforts will build on a larger body of work carried out in the North Sea to help refine our understanding of porpoise responses to piling activity, including effective deterrence ranges (EDRs).

At East Anglia THREE, further data has been gathered during a six-month deployment which began in May 2025, focusing on piling operations using in-line hammer noise reduction technology supplied by MENCK. This builds on an ongoing long-term monitoring programme within the southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for harbour porpoise also led by Seiche and SAMS Enterprise. The aim is to develop a more nuanced dose-response relationship between underwater noise and porpoise behaviour across all phases of offshore wind development, from pre-construction and UXO clearance through to turbine operation.

Seiche and its partners bring unmatched expertise in underwater acoustic monitoring, marine mammal assessment and offshore wind development. With a track record, which includes more than 2,000,000 operational days at sea and strong relationships with industry and regulators the consortium will deliver key results underpinned by cutting edge science and contribute key confidence to our growing knowledge towards the management of future offshore developments.

The pilot study forms part of the Offshore Wind Evidence and Change programme, led by The Crown Estate in partnership with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. The Offshore Wind Evidence and Change programme is an ambitious strategic research and data-led programme. Its aim is to facilitate the sustainable and coordinated expansion of offshore wind to help meet the UK’s commitments to low carbon energy transition whilst supporting clean, healthy, productive and biologically diverse seas.

Roy Wyatt, CEO of Seiche Water Technology Group said:

“We’re proud to lead this vital pilot programme in collaboration with some of the most respected marine science organisations. This clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together. As the offshore wind industry expands, it is essential that noise management measures are both practical and underpinned by sound science. This work will provide the robust evidence base needed to support future policy and help protect marine life in our seas.”

Porpoises ‘buzz’ less when boats are nearby!

Seiche is pleased to have supported newly published research examining the effects
of vessel traffic on harbour porpoise behaviour in a high-traffic coastal environment.


The manuscript, written by Rachel Lennon and Shannon Merkle with co-authors
Jonas Teilmann, and from Seiche: Chris Pierpoint and Lorenzo Scala. Published in
Marine Mammal Science, draws on long-term passive acoustic monitoring (PAM)
data collected in the Little Belt strait, Denmark. The analysis utilised data from
Seiche’s cable-to-shore PAM system at Middelfart, enabling continuous monitoring of
porpoise echolocation behaviour alongside detailed vessel traffic records.


By comparing porpoise acoustic detections with periods of vessel traffic, the
researchers found that harbour porpoises “buzzed” less when boats and ships were
nearby. Buzzes are short sounds used by porpoises when feeding and socialising,
and reductions of up to 45% were observed during the busiest vessel traffic periods,
particularly during summer daytime hours when the Little Belt is most active.


Harbour porpoises have a rapid metabolism and feed almost constantly, meaning
reductions in feeding and social activity could have important implications. The study
notes that the Little Belt is used by an endangered population of harbour porpoises,
and that chronic vessel traffic in this narrow strait may therefore be of particular
concern.


The study adds to a growing understanding of how underwater noise and increasing
vessel traffic affect the marine environment, particularly noise-sensitive species such
as harbour porpoises. The researchers note that measures including reduced vessel
speeds and consideration of vessel numbers and distribution in protected areas
could help to limit disturbance.


Seiche is proud to support collaborative, science-driven research that advances
understanding of anthropogenic impacts on the marine environment and contributes
evidence to support sustainable use of coastal waters.

Offshore Wind Growth Partnership

Seiche are excited to announce that we have been selected by the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership to participate in the OWGP Sharing in Growth Programme following our recent engagement in the OWGP Sprint programme earlier this year.

Both programmes are designed to transform business processes in supply chain companies who are critical to the growth of Offshore Wind in the UK. This is delivered through intensive and bespoke support, business coaching and strategy development.

Seiche are grateful for the support provided so far from the Sharing in Growth team and the faith from Offshore Wind Growth Partnership in our business as an important supply chain company both in the UK and for global markets.

Seiche Welcomes Ross Culloch

We are pleased to welcome Dr Ross Culloch into the role of Director of Science at Seiche.


Ross brings with him over 20 years of experience working on marine mammals and, within that time, he has worked in various capacities on over 30 major marine infrastructure projects, globally, with a particular focus on offshore wind.

He has worked within academia, government and environmental consultancy; this experience across sectors provides him with a unique understanding and perspective of key consenting and conservation and management issues relating to marine mammals. His career has largely focused on addressing critical knowledge gaps, alongside developing and advising on monitoring of marine mammal populations, and mitigation of potential impacts caused by human activities, particularly those relevant to underwater noise.

Ross will be an excellent addition to our Science Department at Seiche Ltd and we look forward to the great work ahead and the impact the team will make.

Seiche Welcomes Dan Hook as Non-Executive Director

Seiche is delighted to announce the appointment of Dan Hook as Non-Executive Director,
effective 2 January 2025.


Dan brings a wealth of experience and expertise in marine technology and innovation to Seiche. A
Naval Architect by training, he studied at the University of Southampton before embarking on a
diverse career encompassing fast vessel design, weight and stability analysis, and structural
engineering.


His passion for marine robotics led him to become a Chartered Engineer and establish ASV Ltd, a
pioneering company in the development and construction of unmanned surface vessels.
Following the sale of ASV Ltd to L3 Harris, Dan served as Chief Technology Officer at Ocean
Infinity for four years. He now leads RAD Propulsion, a company dedicated to advancing
technology for electric and smart boats.

In addition to his industry roles, Dan has contributed significantly to marine science as a Non-
Executive Director of the National Oceanography Centre over the past six years.

We are thrilled to have Dan on board and look forward to the valuable insights and leadership he
will bring to Seiche.

David Hedgeland joins Seiche as Associate Director

We are pleased to announce that David Hedgeland has joined Seiche Ltd in a new Associate Director role on a part time basis. In this role, David will provide invaluable technical advice and guidance on underwater sound, marine monitoring, technology, and communications.

David has over 30 years of experience in the offshore energy industry, initially working offshore implementing seismic surveys, followed by over 20 years being engaged in international scientific and regulatory discussions related to underwater sound emissions from both traditional hydrocarbon and more recently renewable energy offshore activities and potential interactions with marine species and habitats.

David’s wealth of knowledge and industry insight will be a tremendous asset as we continue to drive innovation and excellence in marine monitoring and environmental stewardship. Welcome aboard, David!

Moray West Offshore Wind Project

Exciting News from Seiche: Partnering with Ocean Winds on the Moray West Offshore Wind Project!

We’re thrilled to share some great news: the first wind turbine has been installed at Moray West! It’s been an incredible journey for us, with months of hard work from our dedicated team. Together, we successfully monitored the installation of 62 monopiles for the offshore wind farm in the outer Moray Firth, Scotland.

But that’s not all – our involvement extended to comprehensive noise monitoring during installation. We meticulously analysed the data, providing detailed analysis and reporting every step of the way. This project truly reflects our dedication to long-term noise monitoring and our ability to tailor solutions to fit our clients’ needs.

Stay tuned for more updates as we uncover fascinating insights from the data collected during this project!

Photo credit: Deme Group

Greenland Listening Station

Seiche has collaborated with Dr. Outi Tervo of the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources and local stakeholders, to install an underwater acoustic observatory (or ‘Listening Station’) in western Greenland.

A hydrophone is cabled ashore to the Listening Station at Qaqqaliaq Lighthouse, near Qeqertarsuaq, Disko Island. This enables researchers to monitor the songs of bowhead whales, which breed in Disko Bay during the winter and spring. Bowhead whales sing elaborate, repetitive songs, probably as a reproductive display, and are known for biphonation or two-voiced vocalisation. Researchers will use passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) to gain insights into their seasonal occurrence and activity in the bay.

Qaqqaliaq Lighthouse is remote, unmanned and ice-bound for much of the year, so the hydrophone signal is transmitted from the lighthouse in real-time, via a 4G data link. The underwater soundscape can now be monitored continuously, from any location with internet access. Alongside the bowheads, the fascinating underwater soundscape of in Disko Bay features calving ice bergs, beluga whales and narwhals, fishing boats, and the long trills of male bearded seals.

🎧 Dr. Tervo provides public access to the live audio stream at the Disko Live home page www.diskolive.com – take a listen. An interactive display is under development for visitors to Qaqqaliaq.

New Product Launch! RTSM Buoy

Launched at Oceanology 2024, our Real-Time Sound Measurement Buoy is a remote monitoring system that can collect, measure, process and transmit noise monitoring data in real-time.


Our RTSM buoy is a lightweight, compact and scalable solution to collecting noise monitoring data. Data is collected in real-time via a hydrophone deployed beneath the remote buoy, making the set-up, management and collection of data seamless in real time.

Applications include:

  • Monitoring of offshore pile driving noise
  • Real time monitoring of compliance with noise limits
  • Live management of acoustic emissions during piling

Download our datasheet here for more information.