Page 57: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2020)

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The Final Word: BWMS

Crew Training is Critical in

BWMS Commission Testing

By Steve Candito, CEO, Ecochlor

Shipowner’s views about the impor- vantage of our International Training manufacturer may be allowed to be pres- tance of crew training in the use of their Center prior to their BWMS installa- ent, but is not permitted to either oper- new ballast water management systems tion, which has a complete system set ate the system or to assist the crew; the (BWMS) vary enormously; during some up for classroom and hands-on training. crew is required to run the system from

Ecochlor installations we have given This training commitment by the owner uptake to discharge. This requirement training to as little as one seafarer (the clearly represents an ideal situation for further emphasizes the importance of

Chief Engineer) to as much as the entire everyone; the crew is better able to assist crew training. If crews are not fully fa- crew. I recommend that all crew mem- with the installation and they are more miliar with the system and as a conse- bers who may be involved in the op- likely to troubleshoot any issues once at quence fail to run the system properly, eration of the system attend the training sea. Additionally, we have clients that it could result in a very expensive test provided by the BWMS manufacturer. purchase our Ecochlor system simula- failure. With biological testing costing

At a minimum, the Chief Engineer, First tors so that they have in-house capabil- between $8,000 - $10,000, crew training

Offcer, and Second Engineer should all ity to continue crew training at their own becomes even more critical. It must be be able to run the system and assist any facilities. completed properly and it certainly can- other crew members in its operation. not be compressed into the last few days

Depending on the owner’s choice of Biological Effcacy of the dry docking.

BWMS manufacturer, there may be a Commission Testing A typical biological test can add as range of training options (beyond com- In the last few years, shipowners have much as fve days to the shipyard period, missioning requirements) that are avail- been faced with considerable pressure to including any hold time required by the able for the crews, including hands-on prepare their vessels to meet increasing- BWMS before discharge. Shipowners training centers, online tutorials and ly stringent environmental regulations. need to be aware that they will have to al- even portable simulator units. The IMO requirement for the biological low for more time in the shipyard for this

BWMS that are more complex will effcacy commission testing of ballast process, unless they want to take on the obviously require more crew training. water management systems (BWM.2/ less appealing and more expensive alter-

This need is especially acute when per- Circ.70) is nearing its mandatory start native of requiring the test team to sail formance is conditional on understand- date in October 2021. With this in mind, with the vessel. Coordinating this team’s ing the system’s limitations in variable Flag Administrations are being encour- travel arrangements between ports, and water conditions such as salinity, tem- aged to start implementation of this test- possibly countries (for example, VISAs perature, and turbidity. ing as soon as possible. Once a Member and customs clearances), and continuing

For Ecochlor, crew training contin- State adopts biological testing as part of to pay the them during the voyage would ues post-commissioning with regular the commission process, the crew will be a logistically complicated and costly periodic shipboard training after sys- be responsible for running a full ballast choice. Mandatory system commission/ tem handover so that new crew mem- operation after the manufacturer fnishes effcacy testing is coming soon. It carries bers learn the system and existing crew the BWMS functional test and prior to a cost, both fnancially and in the time members’ knowledge is refreshed. This receiving the system certifcation. required for its completion. To ensure follow-on training helps to ensure con- The biological effcacy test procedure success a properly planned and executed tinued safe and reliable operation of the is not dissimilar to the sort of on-board BWMS installation is needed coupled

BWMS for years to come. In our experi- testing that all BWMS have undertaken with comprehensive crew training to ence, the more comprehensive and regu- during their IMO/USCG certifcation facilitate correct system use from the lar the training that we can offer, the bet- processes. The owner must select an very frst time the system is turned on. ter the operational outcomes: Not only independent contractor to carry out the Shipowners who do not plan their instal- during the installation, but in the long- biological effcacy part of the commis- lations effectively, allowing for enough term operation of the system. sion test. In most cases, according to time to adequately train their crews, risk

Some shipowners have taken full ad- the guidelines set in place by Flag, the signifcant time and cost penalties. www.marinelink.com 57

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