Date of Award
2026
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Systems Engineering
Department
Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering
First Advisor
Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi
Abstract
Those who spend an extended period of time living in a marine setting (e.g. living and working on a research/commercial vessel) are subject to a variety of annoying/disturbing noises during periods of sleep. Numerous past studies (Kim et al., 2024; Sunde et al., 2016; Li et al., 2024) have linked noise exposure levels and poor sleep to health and safety risks, both in personal and professional settings. Thus, it is necessary to take a closer look at the typical levels of noise exposure which mariners aboard a research vessel are subjected to, as well as any factors relating to personal habits or experience which may cause poor sleep quality, and conceptualize a redesigned sleeping environment in an effort to mitigate these risk factors, with respect to increasingly absorptive acoustic materials and other relevant design considerations.
First, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to shed light on the connection between poor sleep quality and health/workplace safety, along with pertinent information regarding the acoustic techniques utilized in this project, and an overview of existing bunk/sleeping space designs in use on research vessels today. Following the literature review, data in the form of sleep questionnaires, average sound level exposures, and audio recordings were collected from the R/V Endeavor research vessel over a period of approximately three months, during four distinct voyages, and subsequently organized and analyzed in order to better understand the acoustic environment to which mariners are subjected.
Recommended Citation
Milman, Jacob, "AN INVESTIGATION OF QUIET BUNKS FOR IMPROVED REST ON MARINE VESSELS" (2026). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 2722.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/2722
Comments
CUI has been removed from this manuscript