(a) The master, owner, operator, agent, or person in charge of a vessel bound for a port or place in the United States, unless specifically exempted by Sec. 151.2015 of this subpart, must ensure the maintenance of written records that include the following information:
(1) Vessel information. This includes the name, International Maritime Organization (IMO) number (official number if IMO number is not issued), vessel type, owner or operator, gross tonnage, call sign, and State of registry (flag).
(2) Voyage information. This includes the date and port of arrival, vessel agent, last port and country of call, and next port and country of call.
(3) Total ballast water information. This includes the total ballast water capacity, total volume of ballast water onboard, total number of ballast water tanks, and total number of ballast water tanks in ballast. Use units of measurements such as metric tons (MT), cubic meters (m\3\), long tons (LT), and short tons (ST).
(4) Ballast water management (BWM). This includes the total number of ballast tanks/holds that are to be discharged into the waters of the United States or to a reception facility.
(i) If the vessel uses an alternative BWM method, note the number of tanks that are managed using an alternative method, as well as the type of method used.
(ii) Indicate whether the vessel has a BWM plan and IMO ballast water management guidelines onboard, and whether the BWM plan is used.
(5) Information on ballast water tanks that are to be discharged into the waters of the United States or to a reception facility. Include the following:
(i) The origin of ballast water. This includes date(s), location(s), volume(s) and temperature(s). If a tank has undergone ballast water exchange (BWE), list the loading port of the ballast water that was discharged during the exchange.
(ii) The date(s), location(s), volume(s), method, thoroughness (percentage exchanged, if BWE conducted), and sea height at time of exchange of any ballast water exchanged or otherwise managed.
(iii) The expected date, location, volume, and salinity of any ballast water to be discharged into the waters of the United States or to a reception facility.
(6) Discharge of sediment. Include the name and location of the facility where sediment disposal will take place, if sediment is to be discharged within the jurisdiction of the United States.
(7) Certification of accurate information. Include the master, owner, operator, agent, person in charge, or responsible officer's printed name, title, and signature attesting to the accuracy of the information provided and certifying compliance with the requirements of this subpart.
(b) The master, owner, operator, agent, or person in charge of a vessel subject to this section must retain a signed copy of this information onboard the vessel for 2 years.
(c) Two alternative ways to meet the requirements of this section are--
(1) Completing and retaining the Ballast Water Reporting Form contained in the IMO ballast water management guidelines; or
(2) Completing the ballast water information section of the form required by the St. Lawrence Seaway Pre-entry Information from Foreign Flagged Vessels.
(d) The master, owner, operator, agent, or person in charge of a vessel subject to this section must retain the monitoring records required in 46 CFR 162.060-20(b) for 2 years. These records may be stored on digital media but must be viewable for Coast Guard inspection.
(e) The information required by this subpart may be used to satisfy the ballast water recordkeeping requirements for vessels subject to Sec. 151.2025(c) of this subpart and 33 CFR part 151 subpart C.