Format and content of Biofouling Management Plan
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Marine Environment Protection Committee - Resolution MEPC.207(62) – 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive Aquatic Species – (Adopted on 15 July 2011) - Annex – 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive Aquatic Species - Appendix 1 - Biofouling Management Plan and Record book - Format and content of Biofouling Management Plan

Format and content of Biofouling Management Plan

 The following information should be considered when developing a Biofouling Management Plan (the Plan). It is important that the Plan be specific to each ship.

 The Plan may be a stand-alone document or integrated in part or full in the ships' operational and procedures manuals and/or planned maintenance systems.

Parent topic: Appendix 1 - Biofouling Management Plan and Record book

Introduction

 This section should contain a brief introduction for the ship's crew, explaining the need for biofouling management, and the importance of accurate record keeping.

 The Plan should state that it is to be available for viewing on request by a port State authority and should be written in the working language of the crew.

Ship Particulars

 At least the following details should be included:

- Ship's name.
- Flag.
- Port of registry.
- Gross tonnage.
- Registration number (i.e. IMO number and/or other registration numbers, if applicable).
- Regulation Length.
- Beam.
- Ship type (as classified by Lloyds Register – see Table 1).
- International call sign and Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI).

Table 1 Ship types, as classified by Clasifications Register

anchor handling fire fighting tug/supply dredger lighthouse/tender roll on roll off
anchor handling tug drill platform Liquid Natural Gas Carrier salvage tug
anchor handling tug/supply drill ship Liquid Petroleum Gas Carrier seismographic research
asphalt tanker ferry livestock semi-sub heavy lift vessel
barge fire fighting tug meteorological research suction dredger
bulk carrier fire fighting tug/supply naval auxiliary tanker supply
bulk carrier with container capacity fish carrier naval vessel support
bulk cement carrier fish factory oceanographic research tank barge
bulk ore carrier fishery protection offshore safety tanker (unspecified)
bunkering tanker fishing (general) passenger (cruise) trailing suction hopper dredger
cable ship floating gas production passenger roll on roll off training
chemical tanker floating production tanker patrol ship trawler (all types)
combined bulk and oil carrier floating storage tanker pipe layer tug
combined chemical and oil tanker fully cellular containership pollution control vessel tug/supply
combined LNG and LPG Gas Carrier general cargo pontoon vehicle carrier
combined ore and oil carrier general cargo with container capacity product tanker whaler
crane barge grab dredger pusher tug wood-chip carrier
crane ship hopper barge reefer yacht
crude oil tanker hopper dredger research  
cutter suction dredger icebreaker research/supply ship  
diving support landing craft roll on roll off with container capacity  

Index

 A table of contents should be included.

Purpose

 The purpose of the Plan is to outline measures for the control and management of ships' biofouling in accordance with the Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species (the Guidelines). It provides operational guidance for the planning and actions required for ships' biofouling management.

Description of the Anti-Fouling Systems

 The Plan should describe the anti-fouling systems in place for different parts of the ship, including as follows:

- type(s) of anti-fouling coating systems applied;
- details of where anti-fouling systems are and are not applied or installed;
- manufacturer and product names of all coatings or products used in the anti-fouling coating systems; and
- anti-fouling system specifications (including dry film thickness for coatings, dosing and frequency for MGPSs, etc.) together with the expected effective life, operating conditions required for coatings to be effective, cleaning requirements and any other specifications relevant for paint performance.

 Previous reports on the performance of the ship's anti-fouling systems should be included, if applicable, and the AFS certificate or statement of compliance or other documentation should also be referenced, as appropriate.

Description of Operating Profile

 The Plan should describe the ship's operating profile that has determined the performance specifications of the ship's anti-fouling systems and operational practices, including:

- typical operating speeds;
- periods underway at sea compared with periods berthed, anchored or moored;
- typical operating areas or trading routes; and
- planned duration between dry-dockings/slippings.

Description of areas on the ship susceptible to biofouling

 The Plan should identify the hull areas, niche areas and seawater cooling systems on the ship that are particularly susceptible to biofouling and describe the management actions required for each area. It should also describe the actions to be taken if the ship is operating outside of the desired operating profile, or if excessive unexpected biofouling is observed, and any other actions that can be taken to minimize the accumulation of biofouling on the ship. Table 1 provides an example of an action plan.

Table 2 Biofouling management action plan

Areas of the ship which are particularly susceptible to biofouling Management actions required for each area (e.g., inspections, cleaning, repairs and maintenance) Management actions to be undertaken if ship operates outside its usual operating profile
External hull surfaces:

    
- Vertical sides    
- Flats    
- Boottop    
- Bow dome    
- Transom    
Hull appendages and fittings:

   
- Bilge keels    
- A-brackets    
- Stabilizer fins    
- CP anodes    
Steering and propulsion:

   
- Propeller    
- Propeller shaft    
- Stern tube seal    
- Anchor chain    
- Chain locker    
- Rope guard    
- Rudder    
- Bow/Stern thrusters    
  - Propeller    
  - Thruster body    
  - Tunnel    
- Tunnel grates    
Seawater intakes and internal seawater cooling systems:
   
- Engine cooling system    
- Sea chests (identify number and position)    
- Sea chest grate    
- Internal pipework and heat exchanger    
- Fire-fighting system    
- Ballast uptake system    
- Auxiliary services system    

 A diagram of the ship should be included in the Plan to identify the location of those areas of the ship that are particularly susceptible to biofouling (including access points in the internal seawater cooling systems). If necessary these should show both side and bottom views of the ship.

Operation and maintenance of the Anti-fouling system

 This section should contain a detailed description of the operation and maintenance of the anti-fouling system(s) used, including schedule(s) of activities and step-by-step operational procedures.

Timing of operational and maintenance activities

 This section should stipulate the schedule of planned inspections, repairs, maintenance and renewal of the anti-fouling systems.

In-water cleaning and maintenance procedures

 This section should set out planned maintenance procedures (other than for on board treatment processes) that need to be completed between dry-docking events to minimize biofouling. This should include routine cleaning or other treatments. Details should be provided on the treatment/cleaning to be conducted, the specification of any equipment required, details of the areas to which each specific treatment/cleaning is to be applied, step-by-step operational procedures where relevant and any other details relevant to the processes (e.g., chemicals required for treatment, any discharge standards).

Operation of onboard treatment processes

 This section should provide specific advice about MGPS fitted, internal seawater cooling systems covered by the system and any not covered, and the associated maintenance and inspection schedule and procedures. This would include information such as when each MGPS is run, for how long and any cleaning/maintenance requirements of the system once use is finished. This section should also include advice for ship operators on procedures for biofouling management if the MGPS is temporarily out of operation.

Safety procedures for the ship and the crew

 Details of specific operational or safety restrictions, including those associated with the management system that affects the ship and/or the crew.

 Details of specific safety procedures to be followed during ship inspections.

Disposal of biological waste

 This section should contain procedures for the disposal of biological waste generated by treatment or cleaning processes when the cleaning is conducted by, or under the direct supervision of, the shipowner, master or crew.

Recording requirements

 This section should contain details of the types of documentation to be kept to verify the operations and treatments to be recorded in the Biofouling Record Book as outlined in appendix 2.

Crew training and familiarization

 This section should contain information on the provision of crew training and familiarization.

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