1.1 The objectives of these Guidelines are to
provide Parties, including port State control officers, with practical
and technical guidance on ballast water sampling and analysis for
the purpose of determining whether the ship is in compliance with
the Ballast Water Management Convention (the Convention) according
to article 9 “Inspection of Ships”. These Guidelines only
address general technical sampling procedures, and do not address
legal requirements.
1.2 These Guidelines provide general recommendations
for ballast water sampling by port State control authorities. Guidance
on sampling procedures for use by Parties in assessing compliance
with regulations D-1 or D-2 is given in the annex to these Guidelines.
1.3 Sampling by port State control or other authorized
officers, should seek to use methods that are (a) safe to the ship,
inspectors, crew and operators; and (b) simple, feasible, rapid and
applicable at the point of ballast discharge.
1.4 The time needed for analysis of samples shall
not be used as a basis for unduly delaying the operation, departure,
or movement of the vessel. Article 12 of the Convention applies. Additionally,
the use of validated automated systems for ballast water sampling
and analysis should be explored when the developments of such systems
are sufficiently progressed.