Ballast water management systems
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Marine Environment Protection Committee - Resolution MEPC.174(58) – Guidelines for Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems (G8) – (Adopted on 10 October 2008) - Annex – Guidelines for Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems (G8) - 4 Technical Specifications - Ballast water management systems

Ballast water management systems

  4.2 The BWMS should not contain or use any substance of a dangerous nature, unless adequate arrangements for storage, application, mitigation, and safe handling, acceptable to the Administration, are provided to mitigate any hazards introduced thereby.

  4.3 In case of any failure compromising the proper operation of the BWMS, audible and visual alarm signals should be given in all stations from which ballast water operations are controlled.

  4.5 All working parts of the BWMS that are liable to wear or to be damaged should be easily accessible for maintenance. The routine maintenance of the BWMS and troubleshooting procedures should be clearly defined by the manufacturer in the operating and maintenance manual. All maintenance and repairs should be recorded.

  4.6 To avoid interference with the BWMS, the following items should be included:

  • .1 every access of the BWMS beyond the essential requirements of paragraph 4.4, should require the breaking of a seal;

  • .2 if applicable, the BWMS should be so constructed that a visual alarm is always activated whenever the BWMS is in operation for purposes of cleaning, calibration, or repair, and these events should be recorded by the control equipment;

  • .3 in the event of an emergency, suitable by-passes or overrides to protect the safety of the ship and personnel should be installed; and

  • .4 any bypass of the BWMS should activate an alarm, and the bypass event should be recorded by the Control Equipment.

  4.6 Facilities should be provided for checking, at the renewal surveys and according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the performance of the BWMS components that take measurements. A calibration certificate certifying the date of the last calibration check, should be retained on board for inspection purposes. Only the manufacturer or persons authorized by the manufacturer should perform the accuracy checks.


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