The primary goal of this focus area is long-term innovation: ensuring that future maritime fleets are built to be innately quieter. Rather than just relying on changing how existing ships operate, this work focuses on making Washington a leader in championing vessel design and technology choices that reduce noise at the source.

Key efforts in this area include:

• Influencing Global and National Policy: The program works to share the data and lessons learned from Quiet Sound’s local slowdown efforts with international bodies, such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO). By participating in industry steering committees and pushing for underwater noise management plans, the goal is to make quieter ship design a standard requirement for future shipbuilding.
• Championing Quieter Designs: Quiet Sound is engaging with ship designers and technology incubators to ensure that noise reduction is a core consideration before a vessel is even built. This includes providing expertise for new ferry construction projects, such as the Kitsap foiling ferry, to encourage designers to adopt “whale-safe” and quieter technology from the start.
• Fostering Innovation: The program aims to create a pipeline for new solutions by connecting with the Maritime Blue Ventures incubator and accelerator. By tapping into research and development ecosystems, Quiet Sound hopes to keep the industry focused on emerging tech that can help quiet the waters for the long term.