1 The Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation,
at its fourteenth session (5 to 9 June 2006), completed the work on
the Interim Survey Guidelines for the purpose of the International
Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water
and Sediments (BWM Convention) under the Harmonized
System of Survey and Certification (resolution
A.948(23)) in accordance with regulation
E-1 of the BWM Convention and invited the Marine Environment
Protection Committee to consider these Guidelines and take action
as appropriate.
2 Recognizing that only survey requirements of
instruments that are in force may be integrated in Assembly resolution A.948(23), FSI 14 also agreed to keep
these Guidelines in abeyance until the BWM Convention enters
into force. Notwithstanding the above, FSI 14 was of the view that
it would be beneficial to circulate these Guidelines to the interested
parties for information in the interim period prior to the entry into
force of the BWM Convention.
3 The Marine Environment Protection Committee,
at its fifty-fifth session (9-13 October, 2006), endorsed the view
of FSI Sub-Committee and approved these Guidelines in principle for
dissemination through this circular. The Guidelines will facilitate
the survey of ships which are requested by their Administrations or
shipowners to certify compliance with the provisions of the BWM Convention on a voluntary basis.
4 Member Governments are invited to bring this
circular to the attention of all parties concerned and, in particular,
national authorities or recognized organizations in charge of ship
survey and certification.