Construction of the Ashena, an all teak-wood luxury "super-yacht", began in India. The 110 foot long ship was brought to Dubai for interior finishing. In February, 2006, a month before the scheduled launch, severe noise and vibration problems became evident in the cabins near the engine rooms, including the dining room, bar, guest bedrooms, and crew rooms. The joint venture partnership between HGC Engineering and Medyan Acoustical Consultancy (MAC), which provides noise and vibration solutions in Dubai and throughout the United Arab Emirates, was urgently called in
to investigate the problems.
Detailed acoustical measurements of sound insulation and structure-borne noise transmission were conducted by HGC Engineering and MAC. The investigation revealed problems with the supporting mounts of the two diesel-engine driven generators, and the connections between the ceiling beams of the engine room and the exhaust piping of the generators and the main engines. HGC Engineering and MAC developed recommendations for specially selected marine vibration isolator mounts for the engines, exhaust systems and mufflers. The excessive noise and vibration problems were resolved and the Ashena quietly sailed its maiden luxury passenger voyage in March of 2006!
