Very loud noise heard but no collision. What was it?

[Panos]

Hello, while living in the boat, in a marina a heard a very loud noise like somebody rammed the boat. I rushed outside but I could see nothing moving around. In a few moments I heard voices from other liveaboards who also heard the same bang. Somebody suggested that there was an earthquake but no announcement has been issued till now. Any idea what it could be?

[MarkJ]

A whale engaged in penis fencing with your keel?

[JPA Cate]

Hello Panos,

We were aboard once at anchor when there was an earthquake. It made a huge bang, and the rig sort of rattled. Heads popped out of many hatches, and all could see dust rising from the town. If there's no land-based indication of an earthquake, it must have been something else.

[Panos]

Hi,


Since it was felt by all boaters in the marina it must be something major, but definitely no earthquake since non has been announced. Could it be some underwater explosion?

[barnakiel]

If there is an old mine nearby sometimes these 'thump' (thomp?). Whatever.

Poachers with grenades make a similar noise.

b.

[D&D]

Is there a hardstand area with a travel-lift nearby?

We (and everyone around us) were also shaken by a VERY loud bang a couple days ago at Bundaberg Port Marina. We thought it must be dynamite as there was a definite concussion effect that would not happen with a collision. Anyone on board a vessel at the time was quickly out and looking around to see what happened. It turned out that one of the tires of the travel-lift had burst! Evidently they're basically high-pressure aircraft tires...and when they go, they really go loud!! That was a first-time experience for us...

[mausgras]

You didn't say where or what time of day it happened. But it could have been some sort of unusual daytime lightning or similar electrical discharge.

[Hud3]

There was a small earthquake near Bucharest last night. It wasn't very big, but who knows what kind of noises it might have made.

This website lists them all and allows you to search by geographical area and time range.

Earthquakes today | Earthquake today | earthquake | earthquakes

Here's the data on last night's event:

Magnitude ML 2.5
Region ROMANIA
Date time 2013-08-27 19:50:44.2 UTC
Location 45.78 N ; 26.75 E
Depth 78 km
Distances 158 km N of Bucharest, Romania / pop: 1,877,155 / local time: 22:50:44.2 2013-08-27
34 km W of Focşani, Romania / pop: 105,112 / local time: 22:50:44.2 2013-08-27
2 km E of Paltin, Romania / pop: 3,687 / local time: 22:50:44.2 2013-08-27

[Astrid]

Assuming the earthquake is close enough to a body of water to create a pressure through the water, it will in some ways simulate a depth charge, in that the pressure wave striking the hull will create a click, ping or loud thud as though something solid had struck the hull. What you will not hear is the bang or boom of an explosion and subsequent rumbling of secondary waves.

[Panos]

Hi,


Mystery has not been solved but most probably was a minor underwater earthquake. It did succeed to wake me up and stayed up two-three hours, but all is ok.

The boat and me are not near Bucharest but currently close to Athens, Greece.

[Steve Olson]

Probably ghosts 'n stuff...

[FSMike]

Sonic boom from a jet jockey?

[Jim Cate]

Possibly a sonar pulse from a submarine. Have read that they are powerful enough to damage whales, so probably would sound pretty loud if the sub was anywhere nearby.

Jim

[Hud3]

We were sailing in Hampton Roads, Virginia, when the fleet was heading out. The pings from the sonar on the escort vessels were very loud down below in the cabin, but were "pings", just like in the old WWII sub warfare movies. Kind of like a musical tone, not a "bang!"

I'm pretty sure it had to have been an earthquake. I've heard that earthquake "bang" two or three times before.

[jerrymc]

I vote for earthquake. I've experienced a couple of earthquakes, while on-board & they do make a "bang" sound..but not necessarily any noticeable movement..they're "earth"-quakes, after all.