Operational Management of the Ballast Water Management System

Detailed operating and safety manuals are to be provided on board the vessel as indicated. Furthermore, key elements of the manuals are to be included in the ship’s ballast water management plan, as appropriate. The manuals are to include the operational, safety and maintenance requirements, as well as occupational health hazards relevant to the ballast water treatment. The manuals are to include an outline of the system design conditions that are to be maintained over the life of the system. These must comply with the approved design. Details of special tools and gauges required for service or repair are also to be provided in the manuals. Additionally, the operating manuals are to include detailed instructions for both local and remote control, guidance on procedures to be followed in the event of a fault or failure of the system, and guidance on the troubleshooting procedures to be followed in event of maloperation. The operating and safety manuals are to be submitted for review by Class to verify the presence of the above information, which is to be consistent with the design information and limitations considered in the vessel’s classification and method of ballast water treatment. It should be noted that Class is not responsible for the operation of the ballast water treatment system; rather, it is the role of Class to ensure the appropriate conditions and instructions are provided. Responsibility for training and operation rests solely with the vessel owner/operator. Operating and safety manuals are to be updated as appropriate and submitted to Class for review; any modifications made to existing ballast water treatment systems are to be submitted to and approved by Class.