USCG Makes Changes To BWM Reporting Form

By
Mfame Team
-
1473

  • On 20 July 2020, the United States Coast Guard adopted revisions to its Ballast Water Management (BWM) Reporting Form.
  • The new reporting form replaces all previous versions and the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC) will no longer accept older versions of the form.

The USCG received approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) adopting revisions to the Ballast Water Management Reporting Form (OMB number 1625-0069, expiration date 31 July 2023) on July 20, reports Gard.

This Reporting Form replaces all previous and expired versions.

Key changes in the revised version

The new Ballast Water Management Reporting Form has two important changes from the most recently expired Reporting Form:

  • The yes/no question “Alternative BW management conducted, per instructions from COTP” has been removed.
  • All vessels are now required to report the date of their last dry dock, information that is critical to the Coast Guard for determining a vessel’s compliance date as specified in 33 CFR 151.1512 & 151.2035.

With approval of the Ballast Water Management Reporting Form, the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC) will no longer accept expired Reporting Form versions.

To fully comply with all Coast Guard Ballast Water reporting requirements, all vessels must use the new Ballast Water Management Reporting Form, since expired versions lack required information.

The new Ballast Water Management Reporting Form (OMB number 1625-0069, expiration date 31 July 2023) can be accessed through the NBIC website.

Recommendations

  • Members and clients should ensure that crew members on all vessels calling the United States are aware of the changes introduced by the latest revision to the NBIC BWM reporting form and that all reports are submitted using the updated version.
  • The USCG has also provided a helpful document illustrating some of the common events reported in the ballast water history section of the reporting form and should be shared with crew members.

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Source: Gard