USCG Ballast Water Management (BWM) Extension Program Bulletin

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The United States Coast Guard has issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin for vessel owners/operators in relation to U.S. ballast water regulations.

Vessel owners/operators are required to comply with the U.S. ballast water regulations provided in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 151, Sections 151.1510 or 151.2025.

According to Rear Adm. Paul Thomas, Assistant Commandant for USCG Prevention policy, “the goal of the Coast Guard compliance extension procedure is to provide reasonable flexibility to ship owners and operators, where appropriate, while ensuring steady progress toward achieving statutory intent in enhancing protection of U.S. waters from invasive species in ballast water that can damage the environment and harm our economy.”

Upon a vessel’s compliance date, the regulations require use of one of the approved ballast water management methods listed in the regulations.

One of the approved methods is installation and operation of a U.S. type-approved ballast water management system (BWMS).

The bulletin provides important new guidance for Members with regard to compliance date extension requests.

The extension program bulletin  can be accessed through this link.