California Ballast Water Regulation Changes

New Penalties for Ballast Water Violations, effective from 1st July 2017.

The California State Lands Commission (SLC) on 19th April 2017, issued a notice stating that: (1) it recently adopted regulations to codify the Marine Invasive Species Act Enforcement and Hearing Process; and (2) the Marine Invasive Species Act requires vessels that arrive at a California port, are 300 gross registered tons or more, and are carrying or capable of carrying ballast water, to submit a USCG Ballast Water Management Report to the Commission.  

Vessel Masters and Officers are recommended to review California's Ballast Water Management requirements prior to entering California waters.