SMS/W 0779

Instructions for Operation of Ballast Water SMS/W 0779

Reviewed Approved Version 5.0
Prepared by
by by Rev. 0
HSE Zheng Issued in Oct,
Lin Wenjin
Department Luyan 2016

1. Purpose
The Instructions is formulated to ensure safe operation of the ballast water and prevent
the environmental pollution.
2. Scope
The Instructions applies to onshore bases and oil tankers of COSL Vesselping.
3. Basis preparation.
The establishment procedure of key operation scheme and guidelines
4. Responsibilities and authorities
4.1. The Captain shall be responsible for monitoring the management of the ballast
water.
4.2. The Chief Mate shall be responsible for the management of ballast water, arranging
ballast water feeding, discharging and transferring, and filling the Notice on Feeding,
Discharging and Transferring of Ballast Water.
4.3. The navigator on duty shall notify the engine room in writing to feed, discharge and
transfer the ballast water. The engineer shall correctly feed, discharge and transfer
the ballast water according to the written requirements, with record properly.
4.4. The Bosun shall be responsible for measuring the ballast water and recording the
data.
5. General regulation
5.1. Discharge of special ballast tank water
(1) Confirm that the drainage pipeline and cargo load pipeline are isolated to avoid the
inadvertent operation. Monitor the water surface to avoid the pollution during the
drainage period.
(2) Operate in accordance with the loading plan and the instructions of Chief Mate. The
relevant on-duty personnel shall frequently measure and inspect to discharge
completely and sweep; otherwise the free surface will be increased, affecting the
loading quantity of this voyage.
(3) Adjust timely according to the loading speed, stress of vessel body to keep the
balance of vessel and reasonable draft.
5.2. Special ballast tank water
(1) Operate generally at the same time with the unloading. Inspect whether the ballast
pipeline is isolated from the unloading pipeline before operation to avoid the cargo
damage or pollution caused by inadvertent operation.
(2) Operate according to the unloading plan and the instructions of Chief Mate. Inspect
and measure frequently to fill up the ballast tank as much as possible to reduce the
free liquid surface.
 SMS/W 0779

(3) Adjust timely according to the unloading speed and stressing conditions of the
vessel to keep the balance and reasonable draft of the vessel, so as to realize
smooth unloading and hold sweeping.
(4) In order to prevent the water area in the port from being polluted by the ballast water
flowing out from the deck, the maximum volume of each ballast tank shall not
exceed 80% of the capacity of each hold when the ballasting is implemented within
the port. The rest of ballasting shall be carried out after departure from the port.
5.3. Guidelines for ballasting of cargo hold
(1) Unless extreme weather conditions, vessels cannot ballast cargo tank to ensure the
safety of the vessel.
(2) When the cargo are loaded at various ports, the water shall also be ballasted into
the empty hold or unloaded empty hold in order to ensure the safe voyage and
successful unloading, and guarantee the reasonable draft and vessel stress. The
features of cargo in the hold shall be fully considered; and such hold shall be
isolated from other cargo holds.
(3) The ballasting of cargo hold shall fully consider the influence of free liquid surface
on vessel stability, the impact on hull structure by shaking ballast water, the
influence of part ballasting on local strength and total strength of hull structure, as
well as the maximum specific gravity of suitable loaded cargo s in the cargo hold.
(4) Special attention shall be paid to shortening the seawater ballast time in the
stainless steel cargo hold to the greatest extent. The long-term soaking in the
seawater will destroy the passion protection layer on the surface of original hold
wall. If it has been destroyed, the re-passion of hold wall shall be considered.
(5) The discharge of ballast water in cargo hold shall strictly comply with the discharge
standard in Annex II to MARPOL 73/78 (International Convention for the Prevention
of Pollution From Vessels, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978) and relevant
national regulations.
5.4. Monitoring and measuring ballast water
5.4.1During operation of the vessel, the Chief Mate shall monitor or assign other person
to monitor the ballast tank and record in the Log Book
5.4.2 The boatswain should measure the ballast water every day and record in the Note
of the Measure of the Ballast Water>>
5.4.3 It should set up the plan of the management of the ballast water and sediment if the
vessel will go abroad. The plan should be approved by the competent authorities.
5.5. The discharge of ballast water
5.5.1 When discharge ballast water in port, the vessel shall report to competent
authorities for approval.
5.5.2 The deck officer and engineer on watch shall be responsible for recording the time,
volume and area of ballast water discharging, as well as longitude & latitude in details in
the Log Book, Engine Logbook and Oil Record Book.
6. Records
WR0745.01 Notice on Feeding, Discharge and Transfer of Ballast Water
WR0745.02 Record Book of Ballast Water Measurement
Log Book
Engine Logbook
Oil Record Book
SMS/W 0779