MEPC 53/24/Add.1

I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc ANNEX 5

RESOLUTION MEPC.127(53)

Adopted on 22 July 2005

GUIDELINES FOR BALLAST WATE R MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS (G4)

THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE,

RECALLING Article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Marine Envi ronment Protection Committee conferred upon it by

the international conventions for the prevention and c ontrol of marine pollution,

RECALLING ALSO that the International C onference on Ballast Water Management for Ships held in February 2004 adopted the In ternational Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Se diments, 2004 (the Ballast Water Management Convention) together with four Conference resolutions,

NOTING that Regulation A-2 of the Ballast Water Management Convention requires that discharge of ballast water shall only be conducted through Ballast Water Management in accordance with the provisions of the Annex to the Convention,

NOTING FURTHER that Regulation B-1 of the Annex to the Ballast Water Management Convention provides that each ship shall have on board and implement a ballast water management plan approved by the Administrati on, taking into account Guidelines developed by the Organization,

NOTING ALSO that resolution 1 adopted by the International Conference on Ballast Water Management for Ships invite s the Organization to develop these Guidelines as a matter of

urgency,

HAVING CONSIDERED the draft Guidelines for ballast water management and development of ballast water management plan s developed by the Ballast Water Working Group and the recommendation made by the Sub-Co mmittee on Bulk Liquids and Gases at its ninth session,

1. ADOPTS the Guidelines for ballast water ma nagement and development of ballast water management plans, as set out in the Annex to this resolution;

2. INVITES Governments to apply the Guidelines as soon as possible, or when the Convention becomes applicable to them; and

3. AGREES to keep the Guidelines under review.MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc ANNEX

DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT AND

THE DEVELOPMENT OF BALLAST WA TER MANAGEMENT PLANS (G4)

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Ballast water is essential to control trim, list, draught, stabil ity, or stresses of the ship. However, ballast water may contain aquatic organi sms or pathogens which, if introduced into the sea including estuaries, or into fresh water courses, may create hazards to the environment, human health, property or resources , impair biological diversity or interfere with other legitimate

uses of such areas.

1.2 The selection of appropriate methods of ballast water management should take into

account the need ensure that Ballast Water Mana gement practices used to comply with this Convention do not cause greater harm than they prevent to the enviro nment, human health, property or resources of any Stat es and the safety of ships.

1.3 The objectives of these Guidelines are to a ssist Governments, appropriate authorities, ships masters, operators and owners , and port authorities, as well as other interested parties, in preventing, minimizing and ultimately eliminati ng the risk of intro ducing harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens from ships' ballast wa ter and associated sediments while protecting ships’ safety in applying the In ternational Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (hereinaft er referred to as the “Convention”).

1.4 These guidelines consist of two parts:

Part A – “Guidelines for Ballast Water Management”, which contains guidance on the general principles of Ballast Water Management; and

Part B – “Guidelines for the developm ent of Ballast Water Management Plans”, which contains guidance on the struct ure and content of Ballast Water Management Plans required by Regulation B-1 of the Convention.

2 DEFINITIONS

2.1 For the purposes of these Guidelines, the definitions in the Convention apply.

2.2 Ballast Water Tank means any tank, hold, or spa ce used for the carriage of ballast water.

3 APPLICATION

3.1 The Guidelines apply to all ships and to Fl ag Administrations, port States, coastal States, ship owners, ship operators, ships’ personnel involved in Ba llast Water Management, ship designers, ship builders, classification societies as well as other interested parties.MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc PART A – GUIDELINES FOR BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT

1 SHIP OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

1.1 Precautionary practices

Avoiding unnecessary discharge of ballast water

1.1.1 If it is necessary to take on and discharge ba llast water in the same port to facilitate safe cargo operations, care should be ta ken to avoid unnecessary discharg e of ballast water that has been taken up in another port.

1.1.2 Managed ballast water which is mixed with unmanaged ballast water is no longer in compliance is no longer in compliance with Re gulations D-1 and D-2 of the Annex to the

Convention.

Minimizing the uptake of harmful aquati c organisms, pathogens and sediments

1.1.3 When loading ballast, every effort should be made to avoid the uptake of potentially harmful aquatic organisms, pathogens, and sedime nt that may contain such organisms. The uptake of ballast water should be minimized or, where practi cable, avoided in areas and

situations such as:

.1 in areas identified by the port State in connection with advice provided by ports under paragraph 2.2.2;

.2 in darkness when organisms ma y rise up in the water column;

.3 in very shallow water;

.4 where propellers may stir up sediment; or

.5 where dredging is or recently has been carried out.

1.2 Ballast water management options

1.2.1 Ballast Water Exchange

1.2.1.1 Ballast water exchange is to be conducted in accordance with Regulation B-4 of the Convention and in accordance with the Guidelines for Ballast Water Exchange.

1.2.1.2 The voyage should be planned taking into account when ballast water exchange in accordance with Regulation B–4 of th e Convention can be carried out.

1.2.1.3 Because of the possibility that part ially exchange may encourage re-growth of organisms, ballast water exchange should only be commenced in any tank if there is sufficient time to complete the exchange to comply with the standard in Regulation D-1 and the ship can comply with the distance from land and minimum water depth criteria in Regulation B-4. As many complete tanks should be exchanged to the standard in Regulation D-1 as the time allows,MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc if for any tank the standard in Regulation D-1 ca n not be fully met the exchange should not be

commenced for that tank.

1.2.1.4 If ballast water exchange is not undertaken for the reasons in Regulation B-4.4, i.e. if the master reasonably decides that such exchange woul d threaten the safety or stability of the ship, its crew, or its passengers because of adverse weat her, ship design or stress, equipment failure, or any other extraordinary condition, then details of the reasons ba llast water exchange was not

undertaken are to be recorded in the Ballast Water Record Book.

1.2.1.5 A port State may designate areas in whic h exchange may be conducted taking into account the Guidelines on designa tion of areas for ballast wate r exchange. Designated areas should only be used for those ballas t water tanks that are intended to be discharged in the port of that State and that could not be exchange d in accordance with Regulation B-4.1 of the

Convention.

1.2.2 Ballast Water Management Systems

1.2.2.1 Ballast Water Management Systems insta lled for compliance with Regulation B-3 are to be approved in accordance with Regulation D-3. Su ch systems are to be operated in accordance with the system design criteria and the manufact ure’s operational and maintenance instructions. The use of such systems should be detailed in the ship’s Ballast Water Management Plan. All

failures and malfunctions of the system are to be recorded in the Ballast Water Record Book.

1.2.3 Discharge to ballast water reception facilities

1.2.3.1 If ballast water reception facilitie s provided by a port State are utilized, Regulation B-3.6 applies.

1.2.4 Prototype ballast water treatment technologies

1.2.4.1 Prototype ballast water treatment tec hnologies should be used within a programme approved by the Administration in accordance with Regulation D-4.

1.3 Sediment management

1.3.1 Regulation B-5 requires that all ships shall remove and dispose of sediments from spaces designated to carry ballast water in accordan ce with the ballast water management plan.

1.3.2 All practical steps should be taken during ballast uptake to avoid sediment accumulation, however, it is recognized that sediment will be ta ken on board and will settle on tank surfaces. When sediment has accumulated, consideration should be given to flushing tank bottoms and other surfaces when in suitable areas, i.e. area s complying with the min imum depth and distance described by Regulations B-4.1.1 and B-4.1.2.

1.3.3 The volume of sediment in a ballast ta nk should be monitored on a regular basis.

1.3.4 Sediment in ballast tanks should be remove d in a timely basis in accordance with the Ballast Water Management Plan and as found ne cessary. The frequency and timing of removalMEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc will depend on factors such as sediment build up, sh ip’s trading pattern, avai lability of reception facilities, work load of the ship’s personnel and safety considerations.

1.3.5 Removal of sediment from ballast tanks s hould preferably be unde rtaken under controlled conditions in port, at a repair facility or in dr y dock. The removed sediment should preferably be disposed of in a sediment reception facility if available, reasonable and practicable.

1.3.6 When sediment is removed from the ship’s ba llast tanks and is to be disposed of by that ship at sea, such disposal shoul d only take place in areas outs ide 200 nm from land and in water depths of over 200 m.

1.3.7 Regulation B-5 requires that ships cons tructed in or after 2009 should, without compromising safety or operational efficiency, be designed and constructed with a view to minimize the uptake and undesirable entrapment of sediments, facilitate removal of sediments, and provide safe access to allow for sediment removal and sampling, taking into account the Guidelines for sediments control on ships (G12). This also applies to ships constructed prior to 2009, to the extent practicable.

1.4 Additional Measures

1.4.1 Ships to which additional measures appl y, under Regulation C-1, should take them into account in the ships voyage planning. Actions ta ken to comply with a ny additional measures

should be recorded in the Ballast Water Record Book.

1.5 Exemptions

1.5.1 Regulation A-4 provides that an exemption may be granted from the requirements of Regulations B-3 or C-1 by a Party or Parties to a ship in specific circumstances. Applications for and the granting of such exemptions should be completed in accordance with the Guidelines for risk assessment (G7).

1.5.2 Ships granted an exemption referred to in paragraph 1.5.1 above should record the exemption in the Ballast Water Record Book and wh at actions have been taken with regards to the ships ballast water.

2 RECORDING PROCEDURES

2.1 Procedures for ships

2.1.1 To facilitate the administra tion of ballast water management and treatment procedures on board each ship, a responsible officer is to be designated in accordance with Regulation B-1 to ensure the maintenance of appr opriate records and to ensure that ballast water management and/or treatment procedures are followed and recorded.

2.1.2 When carrying out any ballast water operatio n the details are to be recorded in the Ballast Water Record Book toge ther with any exemptions granted in accordance with Regulation B-3 or C-1.MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc 2.1.3 Where a port State requires information on ships ballast operations, relevant documentation, which takes account of the inform ation requirements of the Convention, should be made available to the port State.

2.2 Procedures for port States

2.2.1 Port States should provide ships with deta ils of their requirements concerning ballast water management including:

.1 the location and terms of use of areas designated for ballast water exchange under Regulation B-4.2 of the Convention;

.2 any additional measures determined under Regulation C-1 of the Convention;

.3 warnings concerning ballast uptake and any other port contingency arrangements

in the event of emer gency situations; and

.4 the availability, location, capacities of recepti on facilities that are provided for the environmentally safe disposal of ballast water and/or sediments, under Article 5 and Regulation B-3.6.

2.2.2 To assist ships in applying the precautionary practices described in section 1.1 of Part A, port States are required by Regulat ion C-2 of the Convention to e ndeavour to notify mariners of area(s), where ships should not uptake Ballast Water due to known conditions. Similar notification should be given for areas where th e uptake of ballast wate r should be minimized,

such as:

.1 areas with outbreaks, infestations or known populations of ha rmful organisms and pathogens;

.2 areas with current phytoplankton blooms (algal blooms, such as red tides);

.3 nearby sewage outfalls;

.4 areas where a tidal stream is known to be the more turbid;

.5 areas where tidal flushing is known to be poor;

.6 nearby dredging operations; and

.7 nearby or in sensitive or estuarine sea areas.

3 TRAINING AND EDUCATION

3.1 Regulation B-6 requires that o fficers and crew shall be famili ar with their duties in the implementation of Ballast Water Management particular to the ship on which they serve. Owners, managers, operators, and others involved in officer and crew training for ballast water management should consider the following:MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc 3.2 Training for ships’ masters and crews as a ppropriate should include instructions on the requirements of the Convention, th e ballast water and sediment ma nagement procedures and the Ballast Water Record Book particularly having rega rd to matters of ship safety and maintenance

of records in accordance with the inform ation contained in these Guidelines.

3.3 The Ballast Water Management Plan shoul d include training and education on ballast water management practices and the system s and procedures used on board the ship.

PART B – GUIDELINES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BALLAST WATER

MANAGEMENT PLANS

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 These Guidelines have been developed to assi st with the preparation of a ship’s Ballast Water Management Plan (hereafter referred to as the “Plan”). The Plan must be approved by the

Administration in accordance with Regulation B-1 of the Convention.

1.2 This Part is comprised of three primary sections:

.1 General: this section provides the objectives and a general overview of the subject matter and introduces the reader to the basic concept of the Guidelines and the Plan that is expected to be develope d from them. This section also contains guidance on updating and use of the Plan.

.2 Mandatory provisions: this section provides guidance to ensure that the mandatory provisions of Regulation B-1 of the Annex to the Convention are met.

.3 Non-mandatory provisions: this sec tion provides guidance concerning the

inclusion of other information in the Plan. This information, although not required under Regulation B-1 of the C onvention, may be found useful by local authorities in ports visited by the ship, or may provide additional assistance to the ship’s master.

1.3 The format for a Ballast Water Mana gement Plan is given in Appendix 1.

2 GENERAL

2.1 Concept of the Guidelines

2.1.1 These Guidelines are intended to provide a basis for the preparation of the Plans for individual ships. The broad spectrum of ships for which Plans are required makes it impractical to provide specific guidelines for each ship type. For a Plan to be effective and to comply with Regulation B-1 of the Annex of the Convention, it must be carefu lly tailored to the particular ship for which it is intended. Properly used, the Gu idelines will ensure that all appropriate issues that may be applicable to a particular sh ip are considered in developing the Plan.

2.1.2 The issues that may require consideration in clude but are not limited to: type and size of ship, volume of ballast carried and total capac ity of tanks used for ballast, ballast pumpingMEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc capacity, ship and crew safety issues, voyage type and length, the ship’s typical operational requirements, and ballast water management techniques used on board.

2.2 Concept of the Plan

2.2.1 The Plan is required to be onboard the ship and available to guide personnel in safe operation of the Ballast Water Management system employed on a particular ship. Effective planning ensures that the necessary actions are taken in a structur ed, logical, and safe manner.

2.2.2 For the Plan to accomplish its purpose, it must be:

.1 realistic, practical, and easy to use;

.2 understood by ship’s personnel engaged in ballast water management, both on board and ashore;

.3 evaluated, reviewed, and updated as necessary; and

.4 consistent with the operational ba llasting requirements of the ship.

2.2.3 The Plan envisioned by Regula tion B-1 of the Annex to the Convention is intended to be a simple document. Inclusion of extensive back ground information on the ship, its structure, etc., should be avoided, as this is generally available elsewhere. If such information is relevant, it should be kept in annexes, or an existing docum ent or manual reference should be made to the

location of the information.

2.2.4 The Plan is a document to be used on board by the ship’s personne l engaged in ballast water management. The Plan must therefore be available in a working language of the ship’s personnel. A change in the pers onnel and or the, worki ng language or would require the issuance of the Plan in the new language(s).

2.2.5 The Plan should be readily available for in spection by officers authorized by a Party to

the Convention.

2.3 Exemptions

2.3.1 Regulation A-4 allows that exemption may be granted to a ship from Regulation B-3

or C-1.

2.3.2 Details of exemptions should be retained with the Plan.

2.3.3 Any exemption granted is to be reco rded in the Ballast Water Record Book.

2.4 Additional Measures

2.4.1 The Convention, in Regulation C-1 Additiona l Measures, gives a Party individually or jointly with other Parties, the right to introduce m easures in addition to thos e in Section B. Such

Additional Measures are to be co mmunicated to the Organization atleast 6 months prior to the projected date of implementation.MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc 2.4.2 The Plan should be accompanied by a most recent list of Additional measures, as communicated by the Organization relevant to the sh ip’s trade. The Plan should contain details and advice on the actions a ship must take to co mply with any additional measures that may be required in accordance with Regulation C-1 a nd for any emergency or epidemic situations.

2.5 Review of the Plan

2.5.1 Regular review of the Plan by the owner, operator, or master should be conducted to

ensure that the information contained is accu rate and updated. A feedback system should be employed which will allow quick capture of cha nging information and inco rporation of it into

the Plan.

2.5.2 Changes to the provisions of this Pl an will need Administration approval.

3 MANDATORY PROVISIONS

3.1 This section provides individual guideli nes for the seven mandatory provisions of Regulation B-1 of the Annex to the Convention. In addition, it pr ovides 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 actio ns 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-ordina ting 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 translati on into one of these languages should be provided.

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

.1 uptake of ballast water;MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc .2 step-by-step procedures and sequences for the Ballast Water Management System used; and

.3 any operational or safety restrictions in cluding those associated with the Ballast Water Management System used. This will also assist ship’s personnel when responding to enquiries from inspecti on officers authorized by a Party.

3.4 Safety aspects of the Ballast Water Mana gement 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 requi red by the Administration);

.2 approved longitudinal stress and, where appl icable, torsional st ress 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 pa rticular reference to bridge visibility, slamming and minimum forward draft;

.6 the effects of any potential hazards and o ccupational 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 comple te at least 95 per cent volumatic exchange in less than three pumped volumes, documentation indicating that th is ballast water exchange process has been approved under Regulation D-1.2 shoul d 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 consid eration 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:MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc .1 ensuring that the Ballast Water Manageme nt performed follows the procedures in the Plan;

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

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

3.8 The Plan should contain guidance on the reco rding requirements ac cording to ship’s Ballast Water Record Book provided for under this Convention including de tails 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 r ecord 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 in cluding at least:

.1 ships’ name, flag, port of re gistry, Gross Tonnage, IMO number * , 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 balla st 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 Manageme nt System used on board, including:

.1 ballast tank arrangement;

.2 ballast capacity plan;

.3 a ballast water piping and pumping arrangement, incl uding air pipes and sounding arrangements;

.4 ballast water pump capacities;

* In accordance with reso lution A.600(15) IMO Ship Id entification Number Scheme.MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc .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 lo cation 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 sa mpling of ballast wa ter 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 pa rticular systems and procedures used onboard the ship which affect the safe ty 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.MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc 4 NON-MANDATORY INFORMATION

4.1 In addition to the provisions required by Artic les and regulations of the Convention, the owner/operator may include in the Plan, as appendi ces, additional information such as: provision of additional diagrams and drawings, shipboard e quipment and reference materials. National or regional requirements that differ from the Conve ntion may also be recorded for reference.

4.2 Non-mandatory information may also include manufactures manuals (e ither as extracts or complete) or reference to the location on board of such manuals and other relevant material.MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc APPENDIX

STANDARD FORMAT FOR THE BA LLAST WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

PREAMBLE

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

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

INTRODUCTION

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 th e 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 requi rements for the control and management of ship’s ballast water and sediments in accord ance with the Guidelines for Ballast Water Management and the Development of Ballast Water Management Plans resolution MEPC XX(YY) (The Guidel ines). 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 Administ ration 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 re quest by an authorized authority.

Note: The Plan is to be written in the workin g language of the crew, if the text is not in English, French, or Spanish, the plan is to incl ude a translation into one of these languages.

SHIP PARTICULARS

At least the following details should be included:

Ships’ name;

Flag;

Port of registry;

Gross Tonnage;

IMO number * ;

* In accordance with reso lution A.600(15), IMO Ship Id entification Number Scheme.MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc Length (BP);

Beam;

International call sign;

Deepest ballast drafts (n ormal and heavy weather);

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

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

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

INDEX

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

PURPOSE

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/DRAWINGS OF THE BALLAST SYSTEM

Plans or drawings of the ballast system for example:

1) ballast tank arrangement;

2) ballast capacity plan;

3) a ballast water piping and pumping arrange ment, including air pipes and sounding

arrangements;

4) ballast water pump capacities;

5) the ballast water management system us ed 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 sche matic drawing of the ballast arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BALLAST SYSTEM

A description of th e ballast system.

BALLAST WATER SAMPLING POINTS

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 primar ily a matter for the author ized authority, and there is unlikely to be any need for crew membe rs to take samples except at the express request, and under the supervision, of the authorized authority.MEPC 53/24/Add.1

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I:\MEPC\53\24-Add-1.doc OPERATION OF THE BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

A detailed description of the operation of th e Ballast Water Management System(s) used

on board.

Information on general ballast water management precautionary practices.

SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR THE SHIP AND THE CREW

Details of specific safety aspects of th e ballast water management system used.

OPERATIONAL OR SAFETY RESTRICTIONS

Details of specific operational or safety rest rictions including those associated with the management system which affects th e ship and or the cr ew including referen ce to procedures for safe tank entry.

DESCRIPTION OF THE METHOD(S) USED ON BOARD FOR BALLAST WATER

MANAGEMENT AND SEDIMENT CONTROL

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

PROCEDURES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SEDIMENTS

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

METHODS OF COMMUNICATION

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

DUTIES OF THE BALLAST WA TER MANAGEMENT OFFICER

O utline of the duties of the designated officer.

RECORDING REQUIREMENTS

Details of the record-keeping requirements of the Convention.

CREW TRAINING AND FAMILIARIZATION

Information on the provision of crew training and familiarization.

EXEMPTIONS

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

APPROVING AUTHORITY

Details and stamp of approving authority.

***