1. Why and where do you change water ballast?

Reason for BW Exchange:

 When ballast water is taken up in port many microscopic organisms and sediments are introduced into the
ships ballast tanks.
 Many of these organisms are able to survive in these tanks, and, when ballast water is discharged, they are
released into new environments.
 If suitable conditions exist in this release environment, these species will survive and reproduce and become
invasive species.
 In some cases there is a high probability that the organism will become a dominant species, potentially
resulting in: the extinction of native species, effects on local/regional biodiversity, and effects on coastal
industries that use water extraction, effects on public health and impacts on local economies based on
fisheries.
 Epidemic Cholera affecting Peru in 1991 and vibrio cholera affecting USA in 1992 are major incidents related
to ballast water discharge.

Regulations on discharge of Ballast Water:

A ship conducting Ballast Water exchange to meet the standard in regulation D-1 shall:

 .1 whenever possible, conduct such Ballast Water exchange at least 200 nautical miles from the nearest land
and in water at least 200 metres in depth, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization;
 .2 in cases where the ship is unable to conduct Ballast Water exchange in accordance with paragraph 1.1,
such Ballast Water exchange shall be conducted taking into account the guidelines described in paragraph
1.1 and as far from the nearest land as possible, and in all cases at least 50 nautical miles from the nearest
land and in water at least 200 metres in depth.

2. Ballast Water Management Plan:

Each ship shall have on board and implement a Ballast Water Management plan. Such a plan shall be approved by
the Administration taking into account guidelines developed by the Organization. The Ballast Water Management
plan shall be specific to each ship and shall at least:

.1 detail safety procedures for the ship and the crew associated with Ballast Water Management as required by this
Convention;

.2 provide a detailed description of the actions to be taken to implement the Ballast Water Management
requirements and supplemental Ballast Water Management practices as set forth in this Convention;

.3 detail the procedures for the disposal of Sediments:

.1 at sea; and

.2 to shore;

.4 include the procedures for coordinating shipboard Ballast Water arrangement that involves discharge to the sea
with the authorities of the State into whose waters such discharge will take place;

.5 designate the officer on board in charge of ensuring that the plan is properly implemented;

.6 contain the reporting requirements for ships provided for under this Convention; and

.7 be written in the working language of the ship. If the language used is not English, French or Spanish, a translation
into one of these languages shall be included.

3. Methods of controlling organisms in Ballast Water?

i. Regulation D-1 Ballast Water Exchange
ii. Regulation D-2 Ballast Water Performance (Ballast Water Treatment)
D-1 Methods:

i. Sequential method
ii. Flow Through method
iii. Dilution method

D-2 Methods:

i. Filtration Systems
ii. Chemical Disinfection
iii. UV Treatment
iv. De-oxygenation treatment
v. Thermal Treatment
vi. Acoustic
vii. Magnetic Field Treatment
viii. Electric pulse systems

Sequential Method:

The sequential method is a process by which a ballast tank intended for the carriage of ballast water is first emptied
and then refilled with replacement ballast water to achieve at least a 95 per cent volumetric exchange.

All of the ballast water in each tank should be discharged until suction of the pumps is lost and stripping pumps or
eductors should be used if possible, to avoid a situation where organisms are left in the bottom of the tank, the tank
is then refilled with new water rich in oxygen which might allow the re-emergence of new organisms.

A detailed step by step operational description of the ballast exchange sequence used should be consulted prior,
during and after the exchange in addition to the safety considerations addressed below. At the same time ballast
water management officer should take account of ship's position in relation to the land, navigational hazards, ship
traffic in the vicinity, current and forecast weather, machinery performance and degree of crew fatigue, before
deciding to proceed to the next pair of steps. If any factors are considered unfavourable the ballast exchange should
be suspended or halted.

When planning a complete ballast water exchange sequence, the following can be used as guidance:

 the sequence is to be divided into steps;

 each step represents emptying or (re)filling one tank or pair of tanks and is to be run as any other loading condition
on the loading computer. Maximum free surface moment for the tanks being emptied or refilled must be taken into
consideration;

 amount of consumables to be kept constant;

 if necessary, some tanks may be emptied first and remain empty during completion of the exchange of other tanks,
and then refilled;

 heel should preferably remain < 2 degrees in all steps and never exceed 5 degrees; and

Flow Through Method:

The flow-through method is a process by which replacement ballast water is pumped into a ballast tank intended for
the carriage of ballast water, allowing water to flow through overflow or other arrangements in order to achieve at
least 95 per cent volumetric exchange of ballast water.

Pumping through three times the volume of each ballast water tank shall be considered to meet the standard D-1.
Pumping through less than three times the volume may be accepted provided the ship can demonstrate that at least
95 per cent volumetric exchange is met.

The flow-through method has the advantage that it can be used in weather conditions which would be marginal for
use of the sequential method, since there is little change to the condition of the ship and is relatively easy to follow
by vessel's crew. However, the flow-through method introduces certain other risks and problems which must be
considered before using this procedure.

The following safety issues must be addressed:

 Provision should be made to avoid the risk of over pressurization of ballast tanks or ballast piping;

 if watertight closures (e.g. manholes or hatches) where opened to avoid over pressurisation, these are to be re-
secured as soon as appropriate;

 crew safety is of paramount importance during this operation;

 if water is overflowing directly on deck there can be accumulation of water on deck which in sub-zero temperature
conditions can make the method impractical and dangerous for crew;

 direct contact may also pose a health hazard to the crew. In addition pumps and piping will experience an increase
in work load; and

 where peak tanks are partially filled, the flow through method should be avoided to prevent inadvertently
exceeding permissible hull girder bending moments and shear forces.

Dilution Method:

The dilution method is a process by which replacement ballast water is filled through the top of the ballast tank
intended for the carriage of ballast water with simultaneous discharge from the bottom at the same flow rate and
maintaining a constant level in the tank throughout the ballast exchange operation.

Pumping through three times the volume of each ballast water tank shall be considered to meet the standard D-1.
Pumping through less than three times the volume may be accepted provided the ship can demonstrate that at least
95 per cent volumetric exchange is met.

The detailed procedure for connecting the pumps to the piping system in order to conduct ballast water exchange
using the dilution method must be provided in the BWM plan.

4. Methods of Ballast Water Treatment:

Magnetic Field Treatment:

i. The magnetic field treatment uses the coagulation technology.

ii. Magnetic powder is mixed with the coagulants and added to the ballast water.
iii. This leads to formation of magnetic flocs which includes marine organisms.
iv. Magnetic discs are used to separate these magnetic flocks from the water.

Chemical Disinfection:

i. Biocides are disinfectants which have been tested to potentially remove invasive organisms from ballast
water.
ii. Biocides removes or inactivates marine organisms in the ballast water.
iii. They are classified as oxidizing and non-oxidizing biocides
iv. Oxidizing biocides such as chlorine, bromine inactivate organisms by destroying organic structures of
microorganism such as cell membrane or nucleic acids.
v. Non-oxidizing biocides interfere with reproductive, neural functions of organisms.

UV Treatment Method:

i. Ultraviolet ballast water treatment method consists of UV lamps which surround a chamber through
which the ballast water is allowed to pass
ii. The UV lamps (Amalgam lamps) produce ultraviolet rays which acts on the DNA of the organisms and
make them harmless and prevent their reproduction.
iii. This method has been successfully used globally for water filtration purpose and is effective against a
broad range of organisms.