Ballast Water Management and BWM Convention Compliance Checklist
This ballast water management and BWM Convention compliance checklist ensures compliance with the IMO International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention 2004, as amended), MEPC.325(75) revised standards, USCG 33 CFR Part 151 (Ballast Water Management), and IMO D-2 Performance Standards. Invasive species transported via ballast water cause billions in ecological damage annually.
- Industry: Maritime
- Frequency: Per Event
- Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes
- Role: Chief Officer / Environmental Compliance Officer
- Total Items: 30
- Compliance: IMO BWM Convention 2004 as amended by MEPC.325(75), IMO D-2 Ballast Water Performance Standards, USCG 33 CFR Part 151 Ballast Water Management, IMO BWMP Ballast Water Management Plan, Flag State BWM Certificate Requirements
BWM Plan and Documentation
BWM Plan compliance.
- Approved Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP) on board?
- BWM Certificate / USCG Certificate of Compliance current?
- Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB) maintained with all operations?
- BWTS type approval certificate on board (IMO/USCG)?
- Chief Officer familiar with BWMP procedures for this vessel?
Ballast Water Treatment System
BWTS operational checks.
- Ballast Water Treatment System operational with no active alarms?
- BWTS filter in serviceable condition?
- UV dose or chemical dosing within approved treatment parameters?
- BWTS maintenance current per manufacturer requirements?
- BWTS operation log recording all treatment data?
Ballast Water Exchange (D-1)
D-1 exchange standard compliance.
- Ballast exchange conducted >200nm from nearest land in >200m water depth?
- Sequential exchange: tanks emptied to <5% before refilling?
- Vessel stability and stress maintained throughout exchange?
- Position where exchange conducted recorded in BWRB?
- Sediment management procedures followed per BWMP?
Record Keeping
BWRB entries and compliance records.
- BWRB entry made for each ballast water uptake operation?
- BWRB entry made for each ballast water discharge?
- BWRB entry made for each ballast exchange/treatment operation?
- Port reception facility used if vessel cannot comply with D-1/D-2?
- Flag state notified if ballast water operations deviate from BWMP?
Sampling and Reporting
Ballast water sampling compliance.
- Port state ballast water sampling complied with?
- Sampling procedures per IMO MEPC.173(58) guidelines?
- USCG NBIC reporting form submitted (US ports)?
- Any exemptions from BWM requirements documented?
- Ballast Water Operation Notes
BWM Records Review
Final BWM documentation check.
- BWRB complete with all operations since last port call?
- Master has reviewed and signed BWRB entries?
- Completed BWRB volumes retained for minimum 2 years?
- Class/flag state survey of BWM systems current?
- BWM Compliance Notes
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Why Use This Ballast Water Management and BWM Convention Compliance Checklist?
This ballast water management and bwm convention compliance checklist helps maritime teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for chief officer / environmental compliance officer professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per event.
Ensures compliance with IMO BWM Convention 2004 as amended by MEPC.325(75), IMO D-2 Ballast Water Performance Standards, USCG 33 CFR Part 151 Ballast Water Management, IMO BWMP Ballast Water Management Plan, Flag State BWM Certificate Requirements. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Ballast Water Management and BWM Convention Compliance Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 30 inspection items across 6 sections: BWM Plan and Documentation, Ballast Water Treatment System, Ballast Water Exchange (D-1), Record Keeping, Sampling and Reporting, BWM Records Review. It is designed for maritime operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed per event. Each completion takes approximately 30-45 minutes.
Who should use this Ballast Water Management and BWM Convention Compliance Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Chief Officer / Environmental Compliance Officer professionals in the maritime industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.