Step 3 of 3•8 minutes read
Guidelines and Safety
The IMO Guidelines
When loading Ballast Water, make every effort to minimise the uptake of harmful aquatic organisms and sediments. This also involves ensuring that pathogens, meaning bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can cause disease, will not enter the Ballast Water tanks. To help merchant ships with their procedures concerning Ballast Water, the IMO has provided guidelines to operate Ballast Water. Since there are many different types of vessels, it is impracticable to provide specific guidelines for each vessel. Still, these guidelines should assist in the decision-making process. These guidelines are not a component of the regulations for BWE but should be followed as far as possible. Some of them are described below.
There could be specific areas that the port State has identified where ballast water change is not allowed. It could be guidelines, but these areas are often regulated by the Port State and should be followed.
When leaving the port, keep the Ballast Water at a minimum, as long as the ship's stability and trim are ensured. This assures that as little water as possible will be exposed to the risk of ending up in a place where it could harm the ecosystem. One should also avoid loading ballast water during the night. When it is getting dark, organisms rise to the surface to reach for the light, and by that, there is a bigger chance of taking them into the ballast tanks.
Avoid taking in ballast water when sailing through large algal blooms or near sewage outfalls. There could be harmful bacteria in the water in those areas that are not suitable to let out, especially in a different region.
Avoid BWE in shallow waters. Sediments could get stirred up when manoeuvring the ballast water pumps and, by that, end up in the ballast water tanks. The same effect could also appear from the propellers that may stir sediments up. There could be harmful bacteria or viruses locked down in the sediments that can get activated once it has left the ground. These can cause disease in both humans as well as on animals. Prevent this potential catastrophe by avoiding filling ballast water when sailing or anchoring in shallow waters.
Although, no matter how carefully the BWE is performed, some particles will end up in the tanks. Cleaning and removal of the sediments should be scheduled and performed. If practicable, clean the tanks in mid-ocean according to the procedures described in the ship's Ballast Water Management Plan, BWMP.
Various checklists are recommended by the IMO, and are useful for planning Ballast Water Exchanges. A few examples are:
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The Pre–Planning Checklist.
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The Pre–Operations Checklist.
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The During Operations Checklist.
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The On Completion Checklist.
Each checklist is ship-specific and developed accordingly. The checklists should be available in the Ballast Water Management Plan, BWMP.
There are certainly more things to think about when charging ballast water than the ones mentioned above. Using good Ballast Water Management practices, the relocation and introduction of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens will ultimately be eliminated.
To sum up, in this step, try to fill in as little as possible. While filling, every effort should be made to fill as few organisms as possible. Do not fill while sailing through algal blooms! Avoid filling when it is dark outside or while sailing through or anchoring in shallow waters. Make sure to clean the tanks now and again.
Safety Considerations
Ballast Water Exchange should never be made if there is a threat to the safety or security of the vessel. Remember, the Master may be exempted in situations where performing the exchange may damage the vessel or endanger the crew or cargo. Examples of this may include:
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Heavy weather.
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Equipment Breakdown.
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Piracy Attack.