(a) In order 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 Sec. 151.1510 of this subpart must either ensure that the ballast water meets the ballast water discharge standard as defined in Sec. 151.1511(a), use an AMS as provided for under Sec. 151.1510(a)(1) or ballast exclusively with water from a U.S. public water system, as described in Sec. 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 U.S. waters. 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 alternative ballast water management method per Sec. 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 On delivery.
1, 2013.Existing vessels................... Less than 1500 m\3\... Before December 1, First scheduled drydocking
2013. after January 1, 2016.
1500-5000 m\3\........ Before December 1, First scheduled drydocking
2013. after January 1, 2014.
Greater than 5000 m\3\ Before December 1, First scheduled drydocking
2013. after January 1, 2016.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [USCG-2001-10486, 77 FR 17305, Mar. 23, 2012]