Underwater noise from offshore wind development, particularly from pile driving, remains a critical area of study in understanding environmental impacts. While impact pile driving has been extensively characterized and its potential effects on marine mammals are relatively well understood, vibratory pile driving represents a promising alternative that offers practical benefits but is less well documented. As this method gains traction, the need to better understand its acoustic signature and potential biological impacts becomes increasingly urgent.

In this webinar, Kathy Vigness-Raposa will provide a comprehensive overview of the underwater acoustic fields generated by both impact and vibratory piling techniques. She will explore emerging metrics for assessing impulsive noise, such as kurtosis, and discuss their relevance for evaluating impacts on marine life.

This session will also examine the regulatory frameworks shaping offshore wind development, highlighting key differences between the U.S. and European approaches and identifying knowledge gaps, particularly concerning fishes and invertebrates like lobsters and scallops. Attendees will gain insight into how regulatory challenges and evolving scientific understanding intersect with the opportunities offered by vibratory piling to accelerate offshore wind deployment.