Appendix - Standard Format for the Ballast Water Management Plan

  The ballast water management plan should contain the information required by Regulation B-1 of the Convention.

For guidance in preparing the plan the following information is to be included. The plan should be specific to each ship.

  At the beginning of each plan, wording should be included to reflect the intent of the following text.

  1 This Plan is written in accordance with the requirements of Regulation B-1 of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (the Convention) and the associated Guidelines.

  2 The purpose of the Plan is to meet the requirements for the control and management of ship's ballast water and sediments in accordance with the Guidelines for Ballast Water Management and the Development of Ballast Water Management Plans resolution MEPC XX(YY) (The Guidelines). It provides standard operational guidance for the planning and management of ships' ballast water and sediments and describes safe procedures to be followed.

  3 This Plan has been approved by the Administration and no alteration or revision shall be made to any part of it without the prior approval of the Administration.

  4 This Plan may be inspected on request by an authorized authority.

  At least the following details should be included:

• Ships' name;

  Flag;

  Port of registry;

  Gross Tonnage;

  IMO number^footnote;

  Length (BP);

  Beam;

  International call sign;

  Deepest ballast drafts (normal and heavy weather);

  Total ballast capacity of the ship in cubic meters and other units if applicable to the ship;

  A brief description of the main ballast water management method(s) used on the ship; and

  Identification (rank) of the appointed ballast water management officer.

  An index of sections should be included to reference the content of the Plan.

  Should contain a brief introduction for the ship's crew, explaining the need for ballast water management, and the importance of accurate record keeping.

  Plans or drawings of the ballast system for example:

• 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 onboard, with references to detailed 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.

  A description of the ballast system.

  Lists and/or diagrams indicating the location of sampling and access points in pipelines and ballast water tanks.

A note that sampling of ballast water is primarily a matter for the authorized authority, 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 authority.

  A detailed description of the operation of the Ballast Water Management System(s) used on board.

Information on general ballast water management precautionary practices.

  Details of specific safety aspects of the ballast water management system used.

  Details of specific operational or safety restrictions including those associated with the management system which affects the ship and or the crew including reference to procedures for safe tank entry.

  Details of the method(s) used on board for the management of ballast and for sediment control including step-by-step operational procedures.

  Procedures for the disposal of sediments at sea and to shore.

  Details of the procedures for co-ordinating the discharge of ballast in waters of a coastal State.

  Outline of the duties of the designated officer.

  Details of the record-keeping requirements of the Convention.

  Information on the provision of crew training and familiarization.

  Details of any exemptions granted to the ship under Regulation A-4.

  Details and stamp of approving authority.