QUESTION 6.3.1

Ballast water management system safety and performance

Oil, Chemical, LPG, LNGEngine Room, Pumproom, Main Deck

What is being checked

The inspector is checking whether the BWMS is operated and maintained by competent personnel under ship-specific procedures, with hazards, operating limitations, chemicals, self-monitoring data and contingency actions properly controlled.

Ready onboard

0/8 complete

PLANThe approved Ballast Water Management Plan and equipment-specific operating procedure are available.AUTHORITYSupervisory and operating responsibilities are defined, and only trained personnel use the system.HAZARDSRisks from treatment technology, active substances, gases, pressure, UV, chemicals and enclosed spaces are assessed as applicable.LIMITATIONSWater salinity, temperature, turbidity, suspended solids and system operating limits are understood.CONDITIONPumps, filters, back-flush, dosing, neutralisation, sensors, alarms and self-monitoring functions are operational.CHEMICALSRequired treatment chemicals are sufficient, safely stored, handled with correct PPE and disposed of properly.RECORDSOperations, alarms, bypasses, failures, maintenance and contingency measures are recorded.FAILURE PLANThe officer can explain approved action and reporting when treatment cannot be completed.

Practice questions

Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.

1Which operating limits can prevent this BWMS from achieving compliant treatment?

Use the type-approved manual to identify relevant salinity, temperature, turbidity, flow, holding-time and treatment-specific limits.

2What hazards does the fitted treatment technology create for the crew?

Identify ship-specific chemical, gas, electrical, radiation, pressure and enclosed-space hazards and the controls for each.

3Show the self-monitoring data from the latest ballast operation.

Confirm treatment stages, flow, alarms, bypass status and completion, then reconcile the data with the ballast record.

4What is the approved response to a BWMS failure during ballast operations?

Stop or control the operation safely, troubleshoot within authority, notify the Master and company, use the approved contingency measure and make required reports and records.

5How are treatment chemicals received, stored and handled?

Check SDS, inventory, segregation, ventilation, PPE, spill response, expiry and dosing-system arrangements.

Where an observation may arise

PROCEDURE

Ship-specific operating, maintenance, hazard or failure guidance is incomplete.

KNOWLEDGE

The responsible officer cannot explain limitations, hazards, chemicals or contingency action.

CONDITION

A pump, filter, sensor, dosing, neutralisation or monitoring component is defective.

DATA

Self-monitoring records show unsuccessful treatment, unexplained alarms or bypass activity.

CHEMICALS

Treatment chemical stock, storage, PPE or handling arrangements are inadequate.

RECORDS

Operation, maintenance, failure or bypass records are absent or inconsistent.

Past observations for practice

Process

Observed there was no procedure for personnel permitted to use BWMS equipment.

Human

The OP was not aware of the procedure.

Master's practical note

Review the last difficult ballast operation, not only a normal one. High turbidity, low salinity or a treatment alarm reveals whether officers understand the system's real limits and approved contingency process.

Equipment boundary and references

Equipment boundary: BWMS hazards and limits are technology-specific. Use the approved Ballast Water Management Plan, type-approval documentation and manufacturer manual for the fitted system.

References

OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 1, Version 1.0, Question 6.3.1
Ballast Water Management Convention and BWMS Code, as amended
Approved Ballast Water Management Plan
Manufacturer's BWMS operation and safety manual

Last reviewed: 2026-09-08