ECM Client Alert 05-2017: Update on the Ballast Water Management Extension Program
The US Coast Guard has issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) updating their enforcement policy under the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Extension Program. If a USCG type-approved BWM system is not available for a vessel, and compliance with the other approved BWM methods is not possible, the vessel owner/operator may apply for an extension of the vessel's compliance date.
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U.S Ballast water management extension program- alert (288 KB)
The US Coast Guard issued Marine Safety Information Bulletin MSIB 02-20 (Change 1) entitled ‘Novel Coronavirus – Update’. Among other things, it states that the Coast Guard considers it a hazardous condition under 33 CFR 160.216 if a crewmember who was in Iran or China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within the past 14-days is brought aboard the vessel during transit. This requires immediate notification to the nearest Coast Guard COTP. (3/9/20)
The USCG in its Marine Safety Information Bulletin (IMSB) dated 9 April 2020, notes that disruptions to supply chains and workforce availability in the current COVID-19 pandemic can lead to delays in the installation and the commissioning of ballast water treatment systems (BWTS). The Coast Guard is, therefore, adjusting its extension policy under the US Ballast Water Management Regulations for vessels which may be impacted by the pandemic, with BWTS compliance dates before 1 April 2021. In instances where the pandemic has made it impractical to perform necessary or scheduled work on a vessel;
The UK P&I Club recently held a Webinar on the subject of Mooring operations and safety; the Webinar received overwhelming response with about 2350 registrations from 78 countries.
