3 Mandatory Provisions
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Marine Environment Protection Committee - Resolution MEPC.127(53) - Guidelines for Ballast Water Management and Development of Ballast Water Management Plans (G4) - (Adopted on 22 July 2005) - Annex - Guidelines for Ballast Water Management and Development of Ballast Water Management Plans (G4) - Part B - Guidelines for the Development of Ballast Water Management Plans - 3 Mandatory Provisions

3 Mandatory Provisions

  3.1 This section provides individual guidelines for the seven mandatory provisions of Regulation B-1 of the Annex to the Convention. In addition, it provides information to assist ships personnel in managing ballast water and sediments.

  3.2 Regulation B-1 of the Annex to the Convention provides that the Plan shall be specific to each ship and shall at least:

  • .1 detail safety procedures for the ship and the crew associated with Ballast Water Management as required by the Convention;

  • .2 provide a detailed description of the actions to be taken to implement the Ballast Water Management practices required by the Convention;

  • .3 detail the procedures for the disposal of sediments at sea and to shore;

  • .4 include the procedures for co-ordinating shipboard Ballast Water Management that involves discharge to the sea with the authorities of the State into whose waters such discharge will take place;

  • .5 designates the officer on board in charge of ensuring that the Plan is properly implemented;

  • .6 contain the reporting requirements for ships provided for under the Convention; and

  • .7 be written in the working language of the ship. If the language used is not English, French or Spanish, a translation into one of these languages should be provided.

  3.3 The Ballast Water Management Plan should give guidance on the ballast handling procedures to be followed, including:

  • .1 uptake of ballast water;

  • .2 step-by-step procedures and sequences for the Ballast Water Management System used; and

  • .3 any operational or safety restrictions including those associated with the Ballast Water Management System used. This will also assist ship's personnel when responding to enquiries from inspection officers authorized by a Party.

  3.4 Safety aspects of the Ballast Water Management system used should include, as applicable, guidance on:

  • .1 stability to be maintained at all times to values not less than those recommended by the Organization (or required by the Administration);

  • .2 approved longitudinal stress and, where applicable, torsional stress values are to be maintained within permitted values;

  • .3 transfer or exchange of ballast that can generate significant structural loads by sloshing action in partially-filled tanks. If these operations include partially-filled tanks, consideration should be given to carrying out the operation in favourable sea and swell conditions such that the risk of structural damage is minimized;

  • .4 wave-induced hull vibrations when carrying out ballast water exchange;

  • .5 forward and aft draughts and trim, with particular reference to bridge visibility, slamming and minimum forward draft;

  • .6 the effects of any potential hazards and occupational health that may affect ship's personnel shall also be identified together with any safety precautions that need to be taken; and

  • .7 the possible effects of tank over pressurization.

  3.5 If a ship is able to complete at least 95 per cent volumatic exchange in less than three pumped volumes, documentation indicating that this ballast water exchange process has been approved under Regulation D-1.2 should be provided in the Plan.

  3.6 The Plan should also include procedures for the disposal of sediments and in particular:

  • .1 on the sediment removal or reduction at sea, and when cleaning of the ballast tanks to remove sediments;

  • .2 regarding the safety consideration to be taken if tank entry is required to remove sediments; and

  • .3 regarding the use of port reception facilities for sediments.

  3.7 The Plan should clearly identify the officer in charge of ballast water management and outline his/her duties which should include:

  • .1 ensuring that the Ballast Water Management performed follows the procedures in the Plan;

  • .2 ensuring that the Ballast Water Record Book and any other necessary documentation are maintained; and

  • .3 being available to assist the inspection officers authorized by a Party for any sampling that may need to be undertaken.

  3.8 The Plan should contain guidance on the recording requirements according to ship's Ballast Water Record Book provided for under this Convention including details of exemptions granted to the ship.

  3.9 In addition to the above, the Plan should include the following:

  • .1 A foreword which should provide the ship's crew with explanations on the need for ballast water management and for record keeping. The foreword should include a statement that, "This Plan must be kept available for inspection on request by an authorized authority".

  • .2 Ship particulars including at least:

    • .1 ships' name, flag, port of registry, Gross Tonnage, IMO numberfootnote, length (BP), beam, international call sign; deepest ballast drafts (normal and heavy weather);

    • .2 the total ballast capacity of the ship in cubic meters and other units if applicable to the ship;

    • .3 a brief description of the main ballast water management method(s) used on the ship; and

    • .4 identification (rank) of the officer in charge for implementing the Plan.

  • .3 Information on Ballast Water Management System used on board, including:

    • .1 ballast tank arrangement;

    • .2 ballast capacity plan;

    • .3 a ballast water piping and pumping arrangement, including air pipes and sounding arrangements;

    • .4 ballast water pump capacities;

    • .5 the Ballast Water Management System used on board, with references to operational and maintenance manuals held on board;

    • .6 installed ballast water treatment systems; and

    • .7 a plan and profile of the ship, or a schematic drawing of the ballast arrangement.

  • .4 Information on the ballast water sampling points, including:

    • .1 A list or diagrams indicating the location of sampling and access points in pipelines and ballast water tanks, to enable crew members to assist the authorized officers of a Party that have reason to obtain samples.

    • .2 This section should make clear that sampling of ballast water is primarily a matter for the authorized inspection officers, and there is unlikely to be any need for crew members to take samples except at the express request, and under the supervision, of the authorized inspection officers.

    • .3 The authorized inspection officers should be advised of all safety procedures to be observed when entering enclosed spaces.

  • .5 Provisions for crew training and familiarization, including:

    • .1 requirements of a general nature regarding Ballast Water Management;

    • .2 training and information on ballast water management practices;

    • .3 ballast water exchange;

    • .4 ballast water treatment systems;

    • .5 general safety considerations;

    • .6 the Ballast Water Record Book and maintenance of records;

    • .7 the operation and maintenance of installed ballast water treatment systems;

    • .8 safety aspects associated with the particular systems and procedures used onboard the ship which affect the safety or human health of crew and passengers and/or the safety of the ship;

    • .9 precautions for entering tanks for sediment removal;

    • .10 procedures for the safe handling and packaging of sediment; and

    • .11 storage of sediment.

Parent topic: Part B - Guidelines for the Development of Ballast Water Management Plans
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