USCG has revised its policy letter regarding the extension of implementation schedule for approved Ballast Water Management methods.
On September 10, 2015, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a revised Policy Letter 13-01 to provide updated guidance to vessel owners and operators regarding Ballast Water Management methods. On November 16, 2015 the US Coast Guard issued a second revision of this policy letter including the following:
- New paragraph 5 added regarding “original Compliance date” for vessels
- All other paragraphs renumbered accordingly
- New paragraph 6 (old 5) states that for extension the ‘next scheduled drydocking’ (after vessel’s ‘original compliance date’) will be considered
- In new paragraph 6 item 5 changed and request first and second scheduled dry docking dates after 1st January 2014 or 1st January 2016 as applicable
According to USCG policy letter the following guidance is applicable to the first scheduled drydocking and other drydocking dates for existing vessels:
- In all cases, a vessel’s “first scheduled drydocking” date for the purposes of compliance with the BWM implementation schedule is the date the vessel enters a drydock. For example, if a vessel enters drydock on or before December 31, 2015 and does not leave drydock until after January 1, 2016, the drydock is not considered the “first scheduled drydocking after January 1, 2016” for purposes of compliance;
- A drydocking begun after the date specified in either Table 151.1512(b) or 151.2035(b), as applicable, which is necessary for emergency repairs is not considered the first scheduled drydocking. However, if this drydocking satisfies the Administration for endorsing the Certificate of Inspection, passenger ship safety certificate, cargo ship safety certificate, or cargo ship safety construction certificate as the required survey of the bottom of the ship, this drydocking date is considered the first scheduled drydocking;
- A scheduled drydocking begun after the date specified in either Table 151.1512(b) or 151.2035(b), as applicable, to satisfy a statutory bottom survey requirement or to accomplish planned work (such as a drydocking to install exhaust gas cleaning equipment or to install a new bottom coating system), as opposed to emergency work, is considered the “first scheduled drydocking”.
Further details may be found by clicking at the revised USCG Policy Letter below
Source: USCG
Good to see an Upgrade in BWM Practices at Sea.