Page 34: of Marine News Magazine (April 2021)

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Feature

Water Treatment

There are thousands of vessels discharging in

U.S. waters that are still working on a solution for BWM, including treatment.” – Alan Orthmann,

PE, Marine Engineer, Glosten

Glosten program implementation. She called the new MARAD shores) reported discharging ballast in U.S. waters. Of guide “a comprehensive document for people who need to those vessels, just 179 (4%) reported having an installed ? gure BWM out and then take appropriate steps.” treatment system.

Stewart said many businesses now are working to keep Orthmann, with Glosten, commented that “this data operations within allowable exemptions, to avoid moving tells us 1) that there are a lot of vessels that need to under- into a regulatory space that still presents challenges. stand ballast water reporting and recordkeeping require-

New customers and operations, however, may require ments, and 2) there are thousands of vessels discharging in changes, demanding new vessels and operational scope, U.S. waters that are still working on a solution for BWM, and making new demands on BWM compliance. including treatment.”

Another critical concern regarding current discharge ex- Orthmann said the new guide would be particularly emptions is will they last? The Coast Guard is in charge of useful for: implementation, after EPA’s standards are ? nal. In 2012 the • Coastal tug and barge transport, including

CG presented an implementation phase-in schedule based unmanned barges; on vessel size and upcoming dry docking. That regulatory ap- • Cruise ships and ferries operating beyond the con? nes of proach could happen again. The point is be ready for change. a single COTP zone;

In February, Glosten analyzed reports sent to EPA’s • Feeder ships serving larger shipping ports; eNOI (electronic Notice-Of-Intent) water-discharge • Offshore wind SOVs (surface operations vessels); and, database. In 2020, 4,714 vessels within the U.S. EEZ • Heavy lift vessels and marine construction vessels (exclusive economic zone, 200 nautical miles off U.S. operating in multiple regions.

34 | MN April 2021