Circular letter
MSC/Circ.1145

PRECAUTIONARY ADVICE TO MASTERS WHEN UNDERTAKING BALLAST WATER EXCHANGE OPERATIONS

(adopted on 10 December 2004)

1. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-ninth session (1 to 10 December 2004), approved the attached precautionary advice to Masters when undertaking Ballast Water Exchange operations, which should, at an appropriate time, be included in the Guidelines for Ballast Water Exchange, under development by the Organization.

2. In the interim, for ships flying their flag, Administrations are invited to consider the issue of compliance with the requirements of SOLAS regulation V/22, while such ships are conducting Ballast Water Exchange operations, taking into account the annexed precautionary advice.

3. Member Governments are invited to bring this precautionary advice to the attention of shipping companies, ship-owners, ship operators, equipment manufacturers, classification societies, shipmasters and all parties concerned.

Annex.

PRECAUTIONARY ADVICE TO MASTERS WHEN UNDERTAKING BALLAST WATER EXCHANGE OPERATIONS

The Guidelines for Ballast Water Exchange, under development by the Organization, are expected to include, at an appropriate time, the following precautionary advice to Masters when undertaking Ballast Water Exchange sequences that involve periods when the criteria for propeller immersion, minimum draft and or trim and bridge visibility cannot be met:

1. During ballast water exchange sequences there may be times when, for a transitory period, one or more of the following criteria cannot be fully met or are found to be difficult to maintain:

.1 bridge visibility standards (SOLAS V/22);

.2 propeller immersion;

.3 minimum draft forward.