Newbuilding sea trials and comfort verification
Vibration & Dynamics · SERVICE 02
Whole-Body and Habitability Vibration Survey
Persistent vibration in cabins, offices, mess rooms, control stations and passenger areas can affect rest, comfort and confidence in the vessel. Vessel Doctor measures vibration in occupied spaces under documented operating conditions, evaluates frequency-weighted results and maps how vibration changes across decks, locations, engine loads and vessel speeds. The survey can support newbuilding acceptance, comfort investigations, operational troubleshooting or comparison before and after modifications.
VIBRATION SPECTRUMClear evidence→
VESSEL DOCTORWhole-Body and Habitability Vibration Survey
SURVEY PROFILEVibration & Dynamics
02/21
01
WHY THIS SURVEY MATTERS
Evidence before assumption.
Human response to vibration depends on frequency, direction, duration, location and activity. A single unweighted reading cannot describe habitability. A structured survey provides repeatable data and helps distinguish local deck response, global hull behaviour and machinery-related excitation.
02
MEASUREMENT SCOPE
What we measure.
- ✓Frequency-weighted RMS vibration in three axes
- ✓Vibration spectra and dominant frequencies
- ✓Cabins, offices, mess rooms, lounges, bridge and workspaces
- ✓Variation with propulsion speed, engine load and machinery configuration
- ✓Local deck and structural response where relevant
- ✓Comparative measurements before and after remedial work
03
TIMING & APPLICATION
When to request it.
Recurring crew or passenger vibration complaints
Excessive vibration at a particular RPM or operating mode
After engine mounting, propeller, shafting or structural changes
Before and after vibration-control modifications
When a class notation or contract specifies habitability criteria
04
SURVEY PROCESS
A controlled route from plan to finding.
Define
Confirm the decision, vessel condition and evaluation basis.
Prepare
Agree locations, safe access, instruments and operating matrix.
Measure
Capture traceable data with conditions documented during measurement.
Interpret
Evaluate against the agreed basis and isolate meaningful patterns.
Report
Issue findings, limitations and focused next actions.
05
TECHNICAL DELIVERABLE
What you receive.
- ✓Location plan and operating-condition log
- ✓Three-axis results and frequency analysis
- ✓Space-by-space evaluation
- ✓Identification of dominant frequencies and operating trends
- ✓Prioritised findings and recommended next diagnostic steps
- ✓Comparative verification after corrective action when included
06
STANDARDS & PROJECT CRITERIA
The governing basis comes first.
Use ISO 20283-5:2016 for vibration with regard to habitability on passenger and merchant ships, ISO 21984 where applicable to specific ships, relevant class comfort rules and the contract specification. ISO 6954:2000 is withdrawn and replaced by ISO 20283-5:2016; mention it only when an existing contract explicitly requires the legacy reference.
Important
Explore our standards directory↗Read why ship cabins shake at certain RPM↗Acceptance remains subject to the applicable flag administration, classification society, contract, vessel specification and authorised reviewing party.
ASIA + WORLDWIDE ATTENDANCE
Whole-Body and Habitability Vibration Survey wherever the vessel needs it.
Vessel Doctor coordinates this service for vessels in Singapore, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, wider Asian maritime centres and ports worldwide. The scope can support technical managers, marine superintendents, ship agents, owners, operators, shipyards and consultants who need documented onboard evidence.
How clients describe this need: Projects may be described as whole-body vibration survey, ship habitability vibration test, vessel vibration measurement, crew-comfort assessment and accommodation vibration monitoring. Clients may also report that cabins, decks, offices or workspaces shake and people feel uncomfortable, tired or unable to rest. Depending on the technical question, the attendance may involve vibration testing, three-axis measurement, monitoring, survey, comfort assessment, evaluation or troubleshooting during sea trials, pre-delivery acceptance, shipyard attendance, an in-service complaint investigation or post-repair verification. We confirm the final scope from the vessel, operating condition, access, applicable criteria, measurement purpose and required reporting outcome.
Southeast AsiaWhole-Body and Habitability Vibration Survey in Singapore↗South AsiaWhole-Body and Habitability Vibration Survey in India↗Southeast AsiaWhole-Body and Habitability Vibration Survey in Malaysia↗South AsiaWhole-Body and Habitability Vibration Survey in Sri Lanka↗Southeast AsiaWhole-Body and Habitability Vibration Survey in Indonesia↗Southeast AsiaWhole-Body and Habitability Vibration Survey in Thailand↗Global coverageWorldwide Whole-Body and Habitability Vibration Survey↗
SERVICE FAQ
Questions project teams ask.
Every scope is confirmed against the actual vessel, timing and decision requirement.
01Is this the same as machinery vibration analysis?+
No. Habitability testing evaluates vibration experienced in occupied spaces; machinery analysis focuses on equipment condition and mechanical behaviour.
02Why are measurements taken at several operating speeds?+
Vessels may pass through resonant conditions at particular RPMs. A speed sweep helps reveal those relationships.
03Can measurements be taken while the vessel is alongside?+
Some investigations can be performed at berth, but propulsion-related acceptance testing normally requires defined underway conditions.
04Can the survey find the exact root cause?+
It can identify dominant frequencies, affected areas and operating relationships. Complex cases may need structural, machinery or torsional vibration measurements.
05Why does a ship cabin shake only at one engine RPM?+
A narrow speed-related vibration can occur when an excitation frequency from the propeller, engine, shaftline or other machinery approaches a natural frequency of the deck, bulkhead, foundation or superstructure. The pattern should be confirmed with measurements across speed, direction and location rather than diagnosed from one reading.
06Which standard should be used: ISO 6954 or ISO 20283-5?+
ISO 6954:2000 is withdrawn and ISO 20283-5:2016 is its replacement for habitability vibration on passenger and merchant ships. An older contract may still specify ISO 6954, so the agreed contract, class, flag and project criteria must be confirmed before testing.
07What information is needed before arranging a habitability vibration survey?+
Provide vessel particulars, affected spaces, the RPM or operating mode that causes the complaint, machinery combinations, recent modifications, available drawings, sea-trial or berth schedule, safe-access constraints and the acceptance or troubleshooting decision the report must support.
START A TECHNICAL DISCUSSION
Plan your whole-body and habitability vibration survey.
Share the vessel, location, operating condition and reporting purpose. We will help shape a focused, technically defensible survey scope.