6 Crew Training and Familiarization

  6.1 Appropriate training for ships' masters and crews should include instructions on the safety issues associated with ballast water exchange based upon the information contained in these Guidelines. Instruction should be provided on the ships' Ballast Water Management Plan including the completion of required records.

  6.2 Ships' officers and crew engaged in ballast water exchange at sea should be trained in and be familiar with the following as appropriate:

• .1 the ship's ballast pumping and piping arrangements, positions of associated air and sounding pipes, positions of all compartment and tank suctions and pipelines connecting them to ship's ballast pumps and, in the case of use of the flow through method of ballast water exchange, the openings used for release of water from the top of the tank together with overboard discharge arrangements;

• .2 the method of ensuring that sounding pipes are clear, and that air pipes and their non-return devices are in good order;

• .3 the different times required to undertake the various ballast water exchange operations including the time to complete individual tanks;

• .4 the method(s) in use for ballast water exchange at sea if applicable with particular reference to required safety precautions; and

• .5 the need to continually monitor ballast water exchange operations.