2 General

  2.1.1 These Guidelines are intended to provide a basis for the preparation of the Plans for individual ships. The broad spectrum of ships for which Plans are required makes it impractical to provide specific guidelines for each ship type. For a Plan to be effective and to comply with Regulation B-1 of the Annex of the Convention, it must be carefully tailored to the particular ship for which it is intended. Properly used, the Guidelines will ensure that all appropriate issues that may be applicable to a particular ship are considered in developing the Plan.

  2.1.2 The issues that may require consideration include but are not limited to: type and size of ship, volume of ballast carried and total capacity of tanks used for ballast, ballast pumping capacity, ship and crew safety issues, voyage type and length, the ship's typical operational requirements, and ballast water management techniques used on board.

  2.2.1 The Plan is required to be onboard the ship and available to guide personnel in safe operation of the Ballast Water Management system employed on a particular ship. Effective planning ensures that the necessary actions are taken in a structured, logical, and safe manner.

  2.2.2 For the Plan to accomplish its purpose, it must be:

• .1 realistic, practical, and easy to use;

• .2 understood by ship's personnel engaged in ballast water management, both on board and ashore;

• .3 evaluated, reviewed, and updated as necessary; and

• .4 consistent with the operational ballasting requirements of the ship.

  2.2.3 The Plan envisioned by Regulation B-1 of the Annex to the Convention is intended to be a simple document. Inclusion of extensive background information on the ship, its structure, etc., should be avoided, as this is generally available elsewhere. If such information is relevant, it should be kept in annexes, or an existing document or manual reference should be made to the location of the information.

  2.2.4 The Plan is a document to be used on board by the ship's personnel engaged in ballast water management. The Plan must therefore be available in a working language of the ship's personnel. A change in the personnel and or the, working language or would require the issuance of the Plan in the new language(s).

  2.2.5 The Plan should be readily available for inspection by officers authorized by a Party to the Convention.

  2.3.1 Regulation A-4 allows that exemption may be granted to a ship from Regulation B-3 or C-1.

  2.3.2 Details of exemptions should be retained with the Plan.

  2.3.3 Any exemption granted is to be recorded in the Ballast Water Record Book.

  2.4.1 The Convention, in Regulation C-1 Additional Measures, gives a Party individually or jointly with other Parties, the right to introduce measures in addition to those in Section B. Such Additional Measures are to be communicated to the Organization at least 6 months prior to the projected date of implementation.

  2.4.2 The Plan should be accompanied by a most recent list of Additional measures, as communicated by the Organization relevant to the ship's trade. The Plan should contain details and advice on the actions a ship must take to comply with any additional measures that may be required in accordance with Regulation C-1 and for any emergency or epidemic situations.

  2.5.1 Regular review of the Plan by the owner, operator, or master should be conducted to ensure that the information contained is accurate and updated. A feedback system should be employed which will allow quick capture of changing information and incorporation of it into the Plan.

  2.5.2 Changes to the provisions of this Plan will need Administration approval.