§ 151.2045 - What are the mandatory recordkeeping requirements for vessels equipped with ballast tanks that are bound for a port or place in the United States?

(a) The master, owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel bound for a port or place in the United States, unless specifically exempted by §§ 151.2010 or 151.2015 must keep written, records that include the following information (Note: Ballast tank is any tank or hold that carries ballast water regardless of design):

(1) Vessel information. Include the—

(i) Name;

(ii) International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number (official number if IMO number not issued);

(iii) Vessel type;

(iv) Owner or operator;

(v) Gross tonnage;

(vi) Call sign; and

(vii) Port of Registry (Flag).

(2) Voyage information. Include the date and port of arrival, vessel agent, last port and country of call, and next port and country of call.

(3) Total ballast water information. Include the total ballast water capacity, total volume of ballast water on board, total number of ballast water tanks, and total number of ballast water tanks in ballast. Use units of measurements such as metric tons (MT), cubic meters (m3), long tons (LT), and short tons (ST).

(4) Ballast Water Management. Include the total number of ballast tanks/holds that are to be discharged into the waters of the United States or to a reception facility. If an alternative ballast water management method is used, please note the number of tanks that were managed using an alternative method, as well as the type of method used. Indicate whether the vessel has a ballast water management plan and IMO guidelines on board, and whether the ballast water management plan is used.

(5) Information on ballast water tanks that are to be discharged into the waters of the United States or to a reception facility. Include the following:

(i) The origin of ballast water. This includes date(s), location(s), volume(s) and temperature(s) (If a tank has been exchanged, list the loading port of the ballast water that was discharged during the exchange.).

(ii) The date(s), location(s), volume(s), method, thoroughness (percentage exchanged if exchange conducted), sea height at time of exchange if exchange conducted, of any ballast water exchanged or otherwise managed.

(iii) The expected date, location, volume, and salinity of any ballast water to be discharged into the waters of the United States or a reception facility.

(6) Discharge of sediment. If sediment is to be discharged within the jurisdiction of the United States include the location of the facility where the disposal will take place.

(7) Certification of accurate information. Include the master, owner, operator, person in charge, or responsible officer's printed name, title, and signature attesting to the accuracy of the information provided and certifying compliance with the requirements of this subpart.

(8) Change to previously submitted information. Indicate whether the information is a change to information previously submitted for this voyage.

(9) The master, owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel subject to this section, must retain a signed copy of this information on board the vessel for 2 years.

(10) The information required of this subpart may be used to satisfy the ballast water recordkeeping requirements for vessels subject to § 151.2040(a) and (b).

(11) A sample form and the instructions for completing the form are in the appendix to this subpart. If you complete the “Ballast Water Reporting Form” contained in the IMO Guidelines or complete the ballast water information section of the St. Lawrence Seaway required “Pre-entry Information Flagged Vessels Form,” then you have met the requirements of this section.