3 Responsibilities

  3.1 Shipowners and operators should ensure, prior to undertaking ballast water exchange, that all the safety aspects associated with the ballast water exchange method or methods used onboard have been considered and that suitably trained personnel are onboard. A review of the safety aspects, the suitability of the exchange methods being used and the aspects of crew training should be undertaken at regular intervals.

  3.2 The Ballast Water Management Plan is to include the duties of key shipboard control personnel undertaking ballast water exchange at sea. Such personnel should be fully conversant with the safety aspects of ballast water exchange and in particular the method of exchange used on board their ship and the particular safety aspects associated with the method used.

  3.3 In accordance with Regulation B-4.4 of the Convention if the master reasonably decides that to perform ballast water exchange would threaten the safety or stability of the ship, its crew or its passengers, because of adverse weather, the ship's design, stress, equipment failure, or any other extraordinary condition a ship shall not be required to comply with Regulations B-4.1 and B-4.2.

• .1 When a ship does not undertake ballast water exchange for the reasons stated in paragraph above, the reasons shall be entered in the Ballast Water Record Book.

• .2 The port or coastal State concerned may require that the discharge of ballast water must be in accordance with procedures determined by them taking into account the Guidelines for additional measures including emergency situations (G13).