6 Preparedness
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Ballast Water Management - BWM.2/Circular.17 – International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 – (20 October 2008)Guidance document on arrangements for responding to emergency situations involving ballast water operations - Annex – Draft Guidance Document on Arrangements for Responding to Emergency Situations Involving Ballast Water Operations - 6 Preparedness

6 Preparedness

  6.1 For the identified higher risk scenarios, an assessment of the appropriate and readily available support and resources should be undertaken and, to the extent possible, a procedure should be set up to obtain such environmental and health-related resources when necessary. It is also recommended that the relevant resources to respond and mitigate these higher risk scenarios are identified along with an assessment of where they can be obtained from. Equipment can be sourced from existing resources, stockpiled resources, call-off contracts or a contract with a third party to provide equipment and/or management of the emergency. It should be noted, however, that the level of resources actually needed, will be a fraction of that needed for an oil or chemical spill, and simple technology should be used to mitigate any impacts. For example, the use of land-based tanks, when available, to receive ballast water from a ship that has arrived from another emergency area.

  6.2 Agreements should also be established with capable institutions with relevant resources, experience and knowledge, in order to guarantee the provision of appropriate services and resources in case of an emergency. A network of experts may be identified either within the country, within a region or internationally. It should be noted that these resources should only be identified where the threat is very high, otherwise significant resources could be wasted and sit idle. Information on resource availability and capacity should be regularly updated in the Emergency Response Plan.

  6.3 It is recommended that a procedure and a sampling format for emergency situations are developed in the Emergency Response Plan, in line with the IMO's Guidelines for ballast water sampling (G2). Ballast water samples, from one or more ships, as well as from port water, may need to be analysed. It may also be necessary to establish temporary environmental monitoring in certain areas which should be clearly identified, delimited and defined. These procedures should also make provisions for: sending and receiving samples; correct preservation and packaging; chain of custody arrangements; analysis methodologies; and identifying capable laboratories.

Parent topic: Annex – Draft Guidance Document on Arrangements for Responding to Emergency Situations Involving Ballast Water Operations
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