St.Vincent and The Grenadines Maritime Administration issued circular to inform operators about the requirements following the implementation of the BWM Convention.
On 8th September 2017, all St.Vincent and The Grenadines ships (i.e. vessels of any type operating in the aquatic environment, including submersibles, floating craft, floating platforms, floating storage units (FSUs) and floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) units) will be requested to:
- have an approved ballast water management plan on board;
- maintain a ballast water record book;
- manage their ballast water on every voyage by performing ballast water exchange (or by treating it using an approved ballast water treatment system); and
- undertake an initial survey and have a Statement of Compliance with International Ballast Water Management Convention issued (for ships of 400 gross tonnage and above to which the Convention applies, excluding floating platforms, FSUs and FPSOs).
The Convention does not normally apply to:
- ships not carrying ballast water;
- ships engaged in national voyages (refer to Circular GEN 016);
- ships that only operate in waters under the jurisdiction of one party and on high seas, subject to a written authorization of that Party for such exclusion;
- warships, naval auxiliary or other ships owned or operated by a State provided it is used only on government non-commercial service;
- ships with permanent ballast water in sealed tanks and therefore not subject to discharge at any time; or
- pleasure craft that are less than 50 m in overall length and that have a maximum ballast water capacity of 8 m3
All ships will be requested on the first renewal survey to have an International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP) after 8th September 2017 and to carry on board the following:
-“Ballast Water Management Plan” approved by the Recognized Organization on behalf of this Administration, according to a process developed by the IMO;
-“Ballast Water Record Book” for the recording of each operation concerning ballast water management; and
-“International Ballast Water Management Statement of Compliance” with a five (5) year validity and subject to annual, intermediate and renewal surveys.
Shipowners, Ship operators and Managers should conform to the following steps in order to comply with the Convention:
• To review the ship’s plans and ballast systems to ensure compliance with the BWM convention;
• To develop a BWM plan;
• To install an approved ballast water treatment system as applicable;
• To submit the BWM plan for approval to the Recognized Organization responsible for statutory certification of the vessel on behalf of this
Further details may be found in the circular below
Source: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
