California Biofouling and Ballast Water Management requirements 2018
Overview
BIMCO has received the following information from the California State Land Commision:
Please provide notice and information about the following items to ships arriving at California ports. This letter addresses:
1) implementation of biofouling management requirements
2) reminder about existing reporting requirements.
Implementation of biofouling management requirements
Ships are subject to California’s biofouling management requirements as follows:
- new ships: upon delivery on or after 1 January 2018
- existing ships: upon completion of the first regularly scheduled out-of-water maintenance on or after 1 January 2018
Biofouling management requirements include (see information sheets below for details):
- Biofouling Management Plan
- Biofouling Record Book
- Biofouling management of wetted surfaces and niche areas
- Requirements for vessels with extended residency periods.
For a complete copy of the biofouling management regulations please refer to Title 2, Cal. Code of Regulations section 2298.1 et seq.
Reminder about existing reporting requirements
Annual Vessel Reporting Form
All ships that arrive at California ports must submit the Marine Invasive Species Program Annual Vessel Reporting Form (hereafter Annual Vessel Reporting Form) once annually at least 24 hours in advance of the first arrival of each calendar year.
The submission requirement starts anew on 1 January 2018
Ballast Water Management Report
All ships that arrive at California ports must submit the Ballast Water Management Report at least 24 hours prior to arrival at each port call in California. If a ship’s voyage is less than 24 hours, then the report shall be submitted upon departure from the last port of call prior to arrival.
Please send all completed reports and forms to:
Online: https://misp.io
Email: bwform@slc.ca.gov
FAX: +1 562-499-6444
The preferred method of report and form submission to the Commission is through the online portal (https://misp.io) due to its user-friendly features including instant error checks, access to reporting history, and drop-down lists.
For more information about the California State Lands Commission’s regulations or for copies of required reporting forms, please visit the Marine Invasive Species Program website.
Related links:
Biofouling and Ballast Water Management Information Sheet
Reporting and Recordkeeping Information Sheet
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