Page 18: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2017)

BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT

BWMS

What does it mean for

About the Author

Matthew Bonvento is the Senior Man- ager for Safety, Security, Regulatory, and Quality Compliance for Vanuatu

Maritime Services Ltd. Additionally he onboard operations?

is a licensing instructor in Long Island.

He holds a Masters in International

Transportation Management, and an

Unlimited Chief Of? cers License as well as a 1600-ton Master license.

s of September 8, 2016 the the spread of invasive species. recording the sampling (but not the ac- time run, and other such information.

Ballast Water Convention In regards to ballast water technology, tual operation itself). There are even in- There is no guarantee though that this is of? cially was rati? ed by there are a host of system types, most structions on how to obtain samples, and what will actually be required to be kept

Athe International Maritime which fall under two general umbrellas: how sampling points are to be installed on board. And if the system data is to

Organization (IMO), crossing the neces- physical solid-liquid separation and dis- on board a vessel. However, the IMO suf? ce, how long must the system main- sary threshold of 35% of world tonnage infection. From these broad generaliza- states “At present time, there are no spe- tain the record?

signed on courtesy of the rati? cation by tions, the differing types of ballast water ci? c sampling or analysis protocols that This all must be determined before an

Finland. Subsequently, at press time, the systems branch off dramatically in type can be recommended for Administra- amendment to STCW can be made in in-

United States Coast Guard was mov- and methodology used to kill organisms. tions to use.” clude the training of key shipboard per- ing rapidly to con? rm type approval of There are even speci? c guidelines for The circular goes on to state “To aid sonnel in this environmentally critical

BWMS systems, to date con? rming the vessels that will discharge its ballast this process, Administrations are re- system. Manufacturers are developing approval of three systems from Alfa La- water to an off-vessel treatment facility. quested to supply information on any instructional data for individual units. val, Oceansaver and Optimarin. Procedures for the approval of Ballast scienti? cally validated sampling and Most manufacturers only intend to visit

In this edition we delve into the Ballast water Management systems falls under analysis techniques to the organization, the vessel upon installation to train the

Water Convention, United States Coast MEPC.174 (58) and they are detailed as soon as possible.” crew on board, leaving it to those crews

Guard Regulations, and what this all regarding the type of results should be So that leaves the Administration, Rec- to train their reliefs. means as far as onboard operations. shown from a system seeking approv- ognized Organization, and the Port State Although this is industry standard, we

First, let us be clear: The ballast water al. What is not shown is which testing Control Of? cer with the burden of ? gur- have seen with other critical systems – that the convention concerns itself with methods are to be used, a serious prob- ing out how to actually sample the bal- such as the Oily Water Separator – that is the water that is taken onboard a vessel lem facing the industry. last water in an agreed method, with re- this tradition of training via relief may in one port and transits with the vessel sults coming in a range from a few hours not be the best practice for critical sys- to another port, where it is subsequently Overcoming Implementation to a few weeks, at which point a vessel is tems such as a Ballast Water Treatment discharged. In the past this practice has Problems usually long gone. System.

transported a diversity of organisms into When dealing with an international However, without testing how can PSC The Ballast Water Convention, al- environments where they have no natu- convention such as this, the Flag State verify that the Ballast Treatment System though seriously needed, is a prime ex- ral predator, enabling the organisms to must develop the rules speci? c for that is actually working and in compliance? ample of a Convention being pushed ? ourish and create potential destruction registry for the ship owners to follow. Normally the answer to that question on industry without a well thought out to the local environment. However Port State Control interprets is the use of a log book. However, unlike plan on implementation. One could ar-

For many years anti-fouling paint was the rules as well and may have a differ- the Garbage Record Book or Oil Record gue that without the plan, the technology used in conjunction with ballast water ent interpretation than the Flag or the Book as speci? ed under MARPOL, the never would have developed. However, management plans to deter organisms Recognized Organization. This can lead Ballast Water Convention does not have a thorough analysis by the IMO would from attaching to a vessel’s hull or the to years of confusion until all involved a speci? c form for a log book, thus leav- have shown that the technology may not inside of a ballast tank for transport. parties become more familiar with the ing Flag and Owner alike in the dark as be ready for the intended use. The indus-

The problem, however, was that many application of the convention. to what the independent and sometimes try as a whole needs to be more involved of these paints turned out to be just as The IMO has speci? ed testing stan- con? icting MOU regimes, with their in the Codes and Conventions proposed harmful to the environment as the organ- dards under MEPC.173(58). These various PSC’s, are going to expect in by the IMO; involvement not to inhibit isms themselves being transported on the guidelines specify the maximum amount the way of record keeping. Most of the progress, but to make it manageable and ship’s hull, while ballast water manage- of viable organisms allowed in treated reviewed Ballast Treatment Systems log allow the industry proper time to devel- ment plans did not completely prevent ballast water; as well as the format for information such as ? ow rate, length of op the technology and practices needed. 18 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JANUARY 2017

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