Precautions during ballasting/ de-ballasting operations

a. Communication between deck officer and duty engineer should be left open and free

throughout.

b. Ensure manholes for ballast tanks are shut.

c. Check soundings of tank(s) being ballasted/ deballasted frequently to confirm that ballast

water is being filled/ removed to / from the right tank.

d. Check that air pipes float /flap are open and air is freely flowing in or out as the case may be.

e. When topping - off a tank, reduce the filling rate in order to prevent pressurizing the tank and

reduce air pockets.

f. Where circumstances allow, check the cargo hold where the air escape pipes are passing

through - in case of any leakage in those pipes or from any previous unnoticed damages on

hoppers or tank top to prevent cargo damage.

g. Stop the pump or open the valve of the next water ballast tank, when tank is reached desired

level. Do not overflow tanks through the air pipes. The air-pipes of the ballast tanks are not

of sufficient size to allow continuous pumping of water into the tank without dangerously

over-pressurising the tank.

h. Confirm that the valve of the completed tank is closed.

i. When de-ballasting with the main pumps, care must be taken not to let the pump run dry/lose

suction. Duty engineer to stand-by the pump and throttle discharge valve to get maximum

ballast out by the main pump.

j. When the main pump loses suction, change over to stripping with the eductor / bilge- ballast

pump.

k. Strip one tank at a time, and confirm that the valve is firmly/ tightly closed after stripping.

l. The ballasting / de-ballasting sequence to be strictly followed in concurrence with cargo

operations or during exchange of ballast at sea. In case ballasting/ de-ballasting falling

behind schedule, duty officer must immediately inform C/O, who must check out the stress

and take positive action to correct any alarming rise in the stress factor. It may necessitate

stopping cargo work until ballasting / de-ballasting is back on schedule (C/O will consult

master in case necessary to stop cargo-work)

All ballast / de-ballasting operation carried out must be recorded in the ballast log, ballast

water record book and in the case of ballast water exchange, also in the ballast water

reporting form.

There are port state regulations or controls that require the vessels calling at the ports of their

states to carry out a mid-ocean ballast water exchange.

In line with this, the IMO has adopted Resolution A.868(20) on 27 November 1997, viz.,

“Guidelines for the control and management of ship’s ballast water to minimize the transfer of

harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens” and further the International Convention for the

Control and Management of Ship’s Ballast and Sediments.

There can be penalties for ballast overflow in ports which shall be checked.