Underwater noise prediction and visualisation software
dBSea enables powerful and accurate prediction of underwater noise levels for a wide range of environments and scenarios.
Tools that drive acoustic predictions
3D prediction map
In-depth analytical reports
Predictive scenario testing

Developed by experts, designed for clarity
dBSea has been developed by Marshall Day Acoustics and Irwin Carr Consulting, dBSea is built to tackle underwater noise prediction across a wide range of environments and scenarios.
dBSea is ideal for the investigation of underwater acoustic problems involving single or multiple sources using solvers across a wide frequency range. A user-friendly interface and clear workflow make it easy to build, adjust and refine models quickly.
The 3D workspace helps you bisualise bathymetry, noise sources, and results - making complex data easier to explore and explain.
‘The user interface makes it easy and fast to set the parameters, like the solvers, sound speed profile, geology and more’
– Patrice Choquette, WSP Canada.
‘For us dBSea is an excellent, user friendly, tool for performing underwater sound propagation calculations and presenting the results for environmental impact assessments. We have used dBSea for marine projects such as pipelines, harbor construction and offshore oil and gas activities. dBSea is up to date with the most recent underwater noise impact threshold limits, relevant acoustical parameters and frequency weightings to allow our acousticians to generate useful noise maps for our marine biologists for their impact assessment. Before dBSea, we used various MATLAB routines and spreadsheet calculations, which was quite time consuming’
– Christopher M. Maxon, Ramboll Acoustics.

Technical information
The solvers incorporated into dBSea to predict the underwater sound field comprise the most popular calculation methods used in the underwater acoustics industry. The different solver algorithms each find application with different types of problems, adding up to an overall package that covers many underwater acoustics scenarios, and considers complex sound speed profiles and sediment properties. dBSea incorporates source directivity for airgun seismic survey predictions and plots output levels as SPL, SEL, SPL peak or SPL peak to peak.
These solvers make dBSea a robust and reliable tool for consultants and other technical professionals.
Latest News
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2024 NOAA marine mammal thresholds and curves
v2.4.20 is released! Get it from the download page This version i...
11 February 2025 Read More -
dBSea documentation has been published at our new documentat...
The documentation for dBSea has been updated and given a modern l...
08 January 2025 Read More -
dBSea Sound Risk Indicator
dBSea SRI tool The Sound Risk Indicator Tool addresses the need ...
26 March 2020 Read More