USCG Guidelines "Evaluating Potential Courses of Action for Inoperable BWM System"

Overview

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) have recently released the CG-CVC Policy Letter 18-02, “Guidelines for Evaluating Potential Courses of Action When a Vessel Bound for a Port in the United States has an Inoperable Ballast Water Management (BWM) System.”

The USCG Policy Letter 18-02 provides guidance to vessel masters, owners, operators, agents, and persons in charge of vessels subject to Subparts C and D of Part 151 of Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 151 Subparts C and D) as well as Coast Guard personnel when evaluating potential courses of action when a vessel destined for a US port has an inoperable ballast water management system (BWMS).

 It should be noted that a lack of consumables that render a BWMS inoperable does not meet the intent of "stops operating properly" and will not be justification to employ an alternative management method.

All ships calling the US should preferably be made aware of the guidance provided by Policy Letter 18-02.
Peter Lundahl Rasmussen
By Peter Lundahl Rasmussen
in Copenhagen, DK

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