Page 1 of 5 SOP GYRE-007N 1.0 Introduction 2.0 References 3.0 Procedures 3.1 Potable Water 3.2 Sea Water 3.3 Alternate Procedures Under Extraordinary Conditions 4.0 Responsibilities 5.0 Reports 6.0 Definitions Revision/ Review Log Revision Date Approved by Reviewed by Revision Details/ Proposal Notes 11 January 2010 Revision #4 HSE Manager: Sue McDonald 15 October 2010 Revision #5 05 September 2012 Revision #6 HSE Manager: Russell Putt Port Captain: Capt. Pat Fallwell C.E. Charlie Emerson Dr. Roger Fay Changed to electronic format If seawater ballast is taken on board, a record of the ballast operations will be logged in the bridge log book 12 October 2012 Revision #7 Master to monitor stability if vessel should conduct ballasting procedures
Page 2 of 5 1.0 Introduction This SOP describes the procedures on the R/V Gyre for ballast management. The U.S. Coast Guard has mandated a Management Program for vessels in U.S. waters to prevent the introduction of non-native species that could have a deleterious impact on the local ecology. Ballast water is carried on ships to provide stability and to adjust the vessel s trim for optimal steering and propulsion. It is TDI-Brooks policy to only use potable water in all water ballast tanks. However, should a situation arise that seawater is used, the following protocol is to be used in order to reduce any environmental and health-related issues associated with the importation of non-native marine species. 2.0 References 33 CFR 151 3.0 Procedures Procedures for ballasting of potable and seawater are discussed. 3.1 Potable Water The policy of this vessel is to use potable water in the water ballast tanks. Water ballasting may be controlled by the procedures described in SOP GEO-007O or in port by adding water in the appropriate tanks at the needed volumes. 3.2 Sea Water If it becomes necessary to use seawater for ballasting every effort will be made to conduct ballasting operations in the open ocean (200 miles from shore) and in deep water (>2000m). If seawater ballast is taken on, then that water will be retained in the ballast tank(s) during any port calls. All reports and procedures mandated will be adhered to while seawater is in the ballast tank. The ballast system on the vessel is composed of seven segregated ballast tanks. Each tank has a sounding tube and the piping to the tanks terminated in the lowest part of the tank. The vessel has the following ballast tanks.
Page 3 of 5 Tank Capacity (gallons)* Forepeak ballast 4,100 #2 Ballast port 2,200 #2 Ballast starboard 2,200 #3 Ballast port 11,450 #3 Ballast starboard #4 Ballast port #4 Ballast starboard #5 Center #6 Ballast port #6 Ballast starboard 11,450 17,800 17,800 12,900 22,000 22,000 #7 Aft peak ballast port 2,504 #7 Aft peak ballast starboard 2,504 *total capacity of ballast is 128,900 gallons at 100% full 3.3 Alternate Procedures Under Extraordinary Conditions If, due to weather, equipment failure, or other extraordinary conditions, the vessel is unable to effect a sea water ballast exchange before entering the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), the Master must employ another approved method of ballast water management, or request permission from the USCG, Captain of the Port (COTP), to exchange the vessels ballast water within an area agreed to by the COTP at the time of the request. 4.0 Responsibilities The Master has the overall responsibility for ballasting and monitoring the stability of the vessel. The engineering staff, under the supervision of the Chief Engineer, is responsible for the ballast pumping operations. They are required to be familiar with ship s ballast tank and pumping arrangements. In the unlikely event that the vessel takes on seawater ballast, the Chief Engineer is responsible for ensuring that an entry is made in the bridge log that includes the location, date and time ballast was taken on, the location and date of discharge and the signature of the Master. 5.0 Reports The following describes the reporting protocol required for a vessel operating in U.S. waters. The requirements may be different for other countries and should be investigated prior to arriving in that country.
Page 4 of 5 Ballast water reporting requirements exist for each vessel bound for ports or places in the United States regardless of whether a vessel operated outside of the EEZ. The Master, owner, operator, agent or person-in-charge of a vessel to whom this section applies must provide them information required by 151.2045 in electronic or written form to the Commandant, Coast Guard or appropriate COTP as follows: For any vessel bound for the Great Lakes from outside the EEZ, You must fax the required information at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives in Montreal, Quebec to either the USCG COTP Buffalo, Massena Detachment (315-769-5032), or the St. Lawrence Seaway Development For any vessel bound for the Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge entering from outside the EEZ (which includes the equivalent zone of Canada). You must fax the information to the COTP New York (718-354- 4249) at least 24 hours before the vessel enters New York, New York. For any vessel not addressed above, if your voyage is less than 24 hours, you must report before departing your port or place of departure. If your voyage exceeds 24 hours, you must report at least 24 hours before arrival at your port or place of destination. All required information is to be sent to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC) using only one of the following means: o Internet at: http://invasions.si.edu/nbic/bwform.html; o E-mail to NBIC@BALLASTREPORT.ORG; o Fax to 301-261-4319; or o Mail to U.S. Coast Guard, c/o SERC (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center), P.O. Box, 28, Edgewater, MD 21037-0028. If the information submitted changes, you must submit an amended form before the vessel departs the waters of the United States. When entering the State of California, a copy of this form shall also be sent to the State Lands Commission before the vessel departs from the first port of call in California. A copy shall be kept on board in the Log and retained for three years. The address for the California State Lands Commission is as follows: California State Lands Commission 100 Howe Ave Suite 100 South Sacramento, CA 95825-8202 The Master is responsible for signing the Reporting Form. In his absence a person in charge of the vessel designated by the home office shall sign the form.
Page 5 of 5 6.0 Definitions The following definitions apply when filling out the ballast reporting form. Vessel Name: Print the name clearly. IMO Number: Fill in identification number of the vessel used by the International Maritime Organization. Type: List specific vessel type. Spell out Oceanographic Research Vessel. GT: Domestic Gross Tons of the vessel. Arrival Port: Write in the name of your first port of call after entering the U.S. EEZ or St. Lawrence Seaway. No abbreviations please. Arrival Date: Use the European date format (DDMMYY) Agent: List agent used for current port. Last Port: Fill in the last port at which the vessel called immediately before entering the U.S. EEZ. No abbreviations please. Country of Last Port: Fill in the last country at which the vessel called immediately before entering the U.S EEZ. No abbreviations please. Next port: Fill in the port at which the vessel will call immediately after departing the current port. No abbreviations please. Volume on board: What was the total volume of ballast water on board upon arrival into the waters of U.S. EEZ. Do not count potable water. Units: Please include volume units (m3, MT, LT, ST) Number of tanks in Ballast: Count the number of ballast tanks with ballast as vessel enters inside the United States EEZ.