38 
Part B - Technical instructions 
Table 4.3: Survey of waterborne noise emissions and immissions. 
Baseline study 
Construction phase 
Operation phase 
Objectives 
Prediction of noise immissi- 
ons and propagation in the 
construction and operation 
phases for the efficient de 
sign of noise-mitigating 
measures. 
Measurement of water 
borne background noise in 
the project area prior to 
construction. 
Monitoring of waterborne 
noise emission and immis- 
sion. 
Efficiency control of noise- 
mitigating measures. 
Monitoring of waterborne 
noise emission and immis- 
sion near the wind turbines. 
Scope 
The expected levels of wa 
terborne noise due to the 
construction and operation 
of the planned offshore 
wind farm have to be deter 
mined by means of forecast 
computations. The existing 
noise level by potentially 
existing wind turbines must 
be taken into account (im- 
mission forecast). 
Ambient noise measure 
ment shall be made in each 
target area prior to the start 
of construction activities. 
During noise-intensive 
construction work (e. g. 
pile driving), underwater 
noise measurements must 
be carried out in the area 
around the construction 
site. In particular, the effi 
ciency of noise-mitigating 
measures must be 
assessed (according to 
incidential provision 14 
and 20). 
The underwater noise 
measurements must be 
carried out for each pile 
driving site or at least until 
proof has been provided 
of continuous, reliable 
adherence to the noise 
prevention value. 
Randomised separate 
measurements from vibra 
tion pile driving must be 
carried out in co-ordination 
with the BSH. 
After commissioning of all 
wind turbines, waterborne 
operating noise must be 
measured. 
Timing 
One time only. 
Throughout the entire con 
struction phase. 
During the first year of the 
operation phase. 
The “Measuring instruction for underwater sound measurements” (BSH 2011) applies. 
Method 
Immission forecast: 
• The forecast quality de 
pends on the accuracy of 
the input data and the 
used models. The quality 
of input data and the pa 
rameters forming the ba 
sis for modelling must be 
documented. 
• The German language 
guideline ‘Prognosen für 
Unterwasserschall - Min 
destmaß an Dokumenta 
tion’ (BSH 2013a) ap 
plies. 
The efficiency of a noise 
reduction system must be 
assessed by suitable un 
derwater noise measure 
ments. The German lan 
guage guideline “Anleitung 
für die quantitative Bestim 
mung der Wirksamkeit von 
Schalldämmmaßnahmen” 
(BSH 2013b) applies. 
The measurements shall 
capture the three perfor 
mance ranges “low”, “me 
dium” and “rated output”.