With effect from 1 January 2008 all vessels carrying, or capable of carrying, ballast water that visit a California port or place are required to submit annually, on request, information to the California State Lands Commission via the Hull Husbandry Reporting Form. The master, owner, operator, agent, or person in charge of the vessel shall submit this form within 60 days of receiving a written or electronic request from the Commission.
The law which established this requirement directs the Commission to develop a reporting form to be used to collect information regarding hull husbandry practices and vessel behavior patterns related to hull fouling by aquatic organisms.
Further information, including the reporting form and explanatory letter to agents, is available via the Commision's webpage on ballast water management.
