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The United States Coast Guard has released guidance on ballast water best management practices in order to prevent or reduce the spread of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) present in Florida and throughout the Caribbean. Please see their guidance on both mandatory and voluntary ballast water best management practices here.
As of January 28, 2019, NBIC is fully staffed, following the government shutdown. Please visit this website for updates regarding any shutdowns in the near future.
During the United States federal government shutdown, the NBIC will continue to receive Ballast Water Management Report (BWMR) submissions. Responses to BWMRs or other types of requested assistance, such as by email or phone, may be delayed until the United States federal government reopens.
See updated blog post for January 2nd, 2019 for information about the US federal government shutdown.
In the event of a United States federal government shutdown, the NBIC can and will continue to receive Ballast Water Management Reports (BWMRs). However, manual responses to BWMRs or other types of assistance by NBIC staff, such as by email or phone, may be delayed until the United States federal government reopens.
On January 1, 2019, the current ballast water management reporting form will expire. However, after January 1, 2019, and until such time as the Coast Guard provides notice of a new form, vessel owner/operators should continue to use the existing form (dated Dec 31, 2018). Updates regarding the reporting form will be made available on the Coast Guard's Maritime Commons public information portal, https://mariners.coastguard.blog/.
As of October 1, 2018, the US Coast Guard is eliminating the requirement for certain vessels that operate on voyages exclusively within a single Captain of the Port Zone to submit an Annual Ballast Water Summary Report for calendar year 2018.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-20374
Please see the Coast Guard Maritime Commons Blog entry for more information on this Final Rule.