29 Ballast Water Management

Ballast water management plans and forms are now part of the ship's port entry documentation. However, as ballast water management is still a relatively new imposition on ships and their personnel, I thought it appropriate to quote a few of the relevant parts of the IMO Resolution A.868(20) that will affect you.

8.1.1 WhereaportStateauthorityrequiresthatspecificballastwater proceduresand/ortreatmentoption(s)beundertaken,andduetoweather,sea conditionsoroperationalimpracticabilitysuchactioncannotbetaken,the mastershouldreportthisfacttotheportStateauthorityassoonaspossible and,whereappropriate,priortoenteringseasunderitsjurisdiction.

This is most relevant in a situation where a port requires a ship to be completely deballasted and, by doing this, the ship cannot be handled properly in a seaway. It is also relevant where a port requires the same and then expects the ship to anchor in winter conditions or in areas where high winds are prevalent.

9.1.2

Removingballastsedimentonatimelybasis Wherepracticable,routinecleaningoftheballasttanktoremovesedimentsshouldbe carried out in midocean or under controlled arrangements in port or dry dock, in accordancewiththeprovisionsoftheshipsballastwatermanagementplan. Avoidingunnecessarydischargeofballastwater Ifitisnecessarytotakeonanddischargeballastwaterinthesameporttofacilitate safecargooperations,careshouldbetakentoavoidunnecessarydischargeofballast waterthathasbeentakenupinanotherport.

9.1.3

Notice the wording, 'where practicable'. Who decides this, the ship? And if the ship does, will the port accept the ship's decision?

9.2.1Ballastwaterexchange

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Nearcoastal(includingportandestuarine)organismsreleasedinmidocean,and oceanicorganismsreleasedincoastalwaters,donotgenerallysurvive. Whenexchangingballastatsea,guidanceonsafetyaspectsofballastwaterexchange assetoutinappendix2shouldbetakenintoaccount.Furthermore,thefollowing practicesarerecommended: wherepracticable,shipsshouldconductballastexchangeindeepwater,inopen oceanandasfaraspossiblefromshore.Wherethisisnotpossible,requirements developedwithinregionalagreementsmaybeinoperation,particularlyinareas within200nauticalmilesfromshore.Consistentwith9.1.2above,allofthe ballastwatershouldbedischargeduntilsuctionislost,andstrippingpumpsor eductorsshouldbeusedifpossible;wheretheflowthroughmethodisemployedin openoceanbypumpingballastwaterintothetankorholdandallowingthewater tooverflow,atleastthreetimesthetankvolumeshouldbepumpedthroughthe tank;whereneitherformofopenoceanexchangeispracticable,ballastexchange maybeacceptedbytheportStateindesignatedareas;andotherballastexchange optionsapprovedbytheportState.
It would seem that, on the majority of bulk carriers and tankers, owing to the stress problems, the exchange method is the one most favoured.

9.2.2Nonreleaseorminimalreleaseofballastwater Incaseswhereballastexchangeorothertreatmentoptionsarenotpossible,ballast watermayberetainedintanksorholds.Shouldthisnotbepossible,theshipshould onlydischargetheminimumessentialamountofballastwaterinaccordancewithport Statescontingencystrategies.

This is recognition that, at times, it may not be possible to discharge the ballast water or part of it owing to weather, stability or stress on the structure, and the following supports that case:

11.3Inallcases,aportStateauthorityshouldconsidertheoveralleffectofballastwater andsedimentdischargeproceduresonthesafetyofshipsandthoseonboard.Guidelines willbeineffectiveifcomplianceisdependentupontheacceptanceofoperationalmeasures thatputashiporitscrewatrisk.PortStatesshouldnotrequireanyactionofthemaster whichimperilsthelivesofseafarersorthesafetyoftheship.

If there is a good reason why the discharge procedures have not been followed, you will undoubtedly be requested to prove your case. Logbook records of the weather conditions and your stability calculations will all be necessary to support your actions. Ensure that the Master is fully conversant with these prior to any examination and that he has concurred with your calculations. The final two are worth noting:

11.10 When sampling for research or compliance monitoring, the port State authority shouldgiveasmuchnoticeaspossibletotheshipthatsamplingwilloccur,toassistin planningstaffingandoperationalresources. 11.11 Themasterhasageneralobligationtoprovidereasonableassistancefortheabove monitoringwhichmayincludeprovisionofofficersorcrew,provisionoftheships

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plans,recordspertainingtoballastarrangementsanddetailsconcerningthelocation ofsamplingpoints.
Owing to the involvement of laws now dealing with ballasting, you must discuss your intentions with the Master and keep him advised throughout of the situation. After all, he is the one who will be led off to jail!

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