Towards Safer Navigation of Hydrofoils: Avoiding Sudden Collisions with Cetaceans

Recently, sudden collisions between large cetaceans and high-speed hydrofoils have become problematic to Japanese sea transport in some localities. We therefore initiated a project to investigate ap-proaches for minimizing risk to both ships and cetaceans. Under the present project, the following three sub-projects are underway: clarifying which whale species are found near sea routes and determining their season-al variations; identifying whale species that have a high collision risk; and determining the unique acoustic characteristics of high-collision-risk cetaceans for the improvement of underwater speakers (UWS). By con-ducting acoustic surveys using novel methods, including an anatomical approach based on characteristics of the inner ear, the aim of this project is to accurately estimate the audible range of species with a high collision risk and improve the sounds generated by the UWS. Thus far, we have identified the cetacean species at high-risk in two major sea routes. In the next phase of the study we plan to develop an imaging system that recog-nizes a cetacean's unique blow using an infrared camera, in an attempt to warn of the approach of high-collision-risk whale species at an early stage by sounding an alarm.