"Codes of Conduct"with regard to environmental protection are presumably the same as those governing surface ships - the IMO and nation specific regulations governing sewage and greywater discharge, ballast water discharge, antifouling chemicals, fuel/oil spills and so forth. Since some submarines bottom themselves in normal operation, I don't think there are any regulations controlling closest approach distances to reefs and such, but common sense would demand restricting approaches in consideration of a vessel's manoeuverability and discharge thrust effects. Certainly, there are some protections in place for specific animals - whales in particular, with regard to closest approach distance for surface vessels. I don't see why submarines would be any different, however, there is little data available regarding the effects of submersible / animal interaction. There is evidence to suggest that high frequency systems (light ballasts, etc.) on board submersible vehicles actually attract some animals, and light and noise emitted from submersibles may selectively attract or repel marine animals. Sonar has also been proposed to potentially interfere with marine life, and US Navy tests of high-powered active sonar devices have been shown to affect whales - the possibility exists for lesser power systems to have similar effects, but I am unaware of any conclusive studies. I suspect that the interaction between submarines and the marine environment, in the context of small submersibles, PSubs and civilian research submarines, has to date largely been governed by individual ethics - just as we excercise when SCUBA diving - and the efficacy of this approach has been so far sufficient to avoid regulation. Scientists perform collections and sacrifice individual animals for research purposes, and I'm sure that some animals are inadvertently injured or killed by submarine activity, but just as a SCUBA diver can destroy years of coral growth by a careless movement without being held legally accountable, I think submarines have the same freedom of operation with impunity. Fortunately, submarines and submersible vehicles seldom have a tourist in direct control of the vehicle.
Pollution regulations aside, the code of conduct I would follow as a submarine operator is the same one I follow when commuting to work every day: "Try not to kill anything."
-Sean
On Jul 9, 2009, Jon Wallace <jonw@psubs.org> wrote:
FYI:
PSUBS was approached by the Virgin Group (virgin airlines, etc) via
email suggesting that Richard Branson is interested in "going
underwater" and inquiring as to whether there were any "codes of
conduct" pertaining to submarines not disturbing or damaging the marine
ecosystem. Also inquiring how close submarines get to the bottom,
coral, and marine mammals.
I'll leave it to individuals to interpret what that means and what they
might propose.
Jon
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