Title 33

SECTION 151.1512

151.1512 Implementation schedule for approved ballast water management methods.

§ 151.1512 Implementation schedule for approved ballast water management methods.

(a) To discharge ballast water into the waters of the United States, the master, owner, operator, agent, or person in charge of a vessel subject to § 151.1510 of this subpart must either ensure that the ballast water meets the ballast water discharge standard as defined in § 151.1511(a), use an AMS as provided for under § 151.1510(a)(1) or ballast exclusively with water from a U.S. public water system, as described in § 151.1510(a)(4), according to the schedule in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Implementation Schedule for the Ballast Water Management Discharge Standard for vessels using a Coast Guard approved BWMS to manage ballast water discharged to waters of the United States. After the dates listed in Table 151.1512(b), vessels may use a USCG-approved BWMS and comply with the discharge standard, or employ an approved ballast water management method per § 151.1510(a)(1) and (4).

Table 151.1512(b) - Implementation Schedule for Ballast Water Management Discharge Standards for Vessels Using Coast Guard Approved Ballast Water Management Systems

Vessel's ballast
water capacity
Date constructed Vessel's compliance date
New vessels All On or after December 1, 2013 On delivery.
Existing vessels Less than 1500 m 3 Before December 1, 2013 First scheduled drydocking after January 1, 2016.
1500-5000 m 3 Before December 1, 2013 First scheduled drydocking after January 1, 2014.
Greater than 5000 m 3 Before December 1, 2013 First scheduled drydocking after January 1, 2016.
[USCG-2001-10486, 77 FR 17305, Mar. 23, 2012, as amended by USCG-2015-0433, 80 FR 44281, July 27, 2015]