3.1 Generally the options for compliance for Offshore
Support Vessels will be identified on the ships' International Ballast
Water Management Certificate and in the Ballast Water Management Plan.
The general understanding is that the options may include the following:
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.1 use of an "other method" of ballast water management
as per regulation B-3.7 of the Convention
following resolution MEPC.206(62);
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.2 exemption, as per regulation A-4 of the Convention,
following the Guidelines for risk assessment under regulation
A-4 (G7);
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.3 use of ballast water determined by the coastal
State as being sourced from the "same location" as the point of discharge
(as per regulation A-3.5);
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.4 use of temporary ballast water management systems
may be allowed for the purposes of undertaking activities outside
those considered normal, routine support activities for compliance
with the objectives of the Convention. If, or when available, a temporary
BWMS appliance is installed, the unit should comply with the relevant
approval processes promulgated by the flag Administration in accordance
with the Convention and associated guidelines;
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.5 use of permanent or temporary BWMS installed
aboard another vessel operating from the same port or locality as
a local reception facility, with the approval of the flag Administration
and the acceptance of the local coastal State Administration, for
the treatment of unmanaged ballast water; and
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.6 meeting the regulation D-2 discharge standard
through permanent installation of a Type Approved ballast water management
system.
3.2 Drill water or water taken and stored on board
for the purpose of protecting low flash point liquid (LFL) tanks,
which is not discharged into the environment, is not subject to the
requirements of the Convention.