Possible to hear a passing ship underwater with my ears?

Jimbuna · 12-31-18, 05:08 AM

When I was a younger chap I would often swim within a mile of my local harbour entrance and would often experience what you are describing.

Simply put....hydrophones are a submarines ears.

Platapus · 12-31-18, 05:13 PM

As an experienced scuba diver, I can attest that you can hear ships/motor boats while you are underwater. You can hear them very well. Actually too well.

You will, however have two significant problems.

1. It will be very difficult to determine the direction as the time difference between when each of your ears receives the sound waves is much shorter than when you hear sounds in air.

2. For the same reason, you will find it very difficult to judge the distance

Speed of sound in air is about 340 meters per second
Speed of sound in water is about 1500 meters per second

Both of these are dependent on many factors such as temperature.

Our "sonar" processing brains are calibrated for determining direction and distance of sound in air. When used underwater, sound appears to be right on top of you and from all directions.

12-31-18, 05:08 AM	#1
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,835 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	When I was a younger chap I would often swim within a mile of my local harbour entrance and would often experience what you are describing. Simply put....hydrophones are a submarines ears. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

12-31-18, 05:13 PM	#2
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,391 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	As an experienced scuba diver, I can attest that you can hear ships/motor boats while you are underwater. You can hear them very well. Actually too well. You will, however have two significant problems. 1. It will be very difficult to determine the direction as the time difference between when each of your ears receives the sound waves is much shorter than when you hear sounds in air. 2. For the same reason, you will find it very difficult to judge the distance Speed of sound in air is about 340 meters per second Speed of sound in water is about 1500 meters per second Both of these are dependent on many factors such as temperature. Our "sonar" processing brains are calibrated for determining direction and distance of sound in air. When used underwater, sound appears to be right on top of you and from all directions. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.