9 Ships'0perational Procedures
9.1 GeneraI Pmcautionary Practiccs
9.1.1 Minimizing Uptake of HarmfuI Aquatic Organisrns md Sediments
When loading ballast and it is possible to do so, every efort should be made to avoid the uptake of potentially harmful aquatic organisms and sediment that may contain such organisms. The upuke of ballast waler should be minimized or where practicable avoided:
in areas with disease and pathogen outbreaks communicable through ballast water which may afect humans or aquafic organisms;
in areas with current toxic phytoplankton blooms (harmhl aIgal blooms, such as red tidesI
near sewage outfalls or dredging operafions;
at night when bottom-dwelling organisms may rise up in the waler column;
in very shallow water;
when the incoming or outgoing tide is known to be the more hrbid; and
where tidal fluhing is poor.
9.1.2 Removing Ballast Sediment on a Timely Basis
Where practicable, routine cleaning of the ballast tank to remove sediments should be reguiarly undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the ship.s ballast water manual, for example by:
various flushing techniques to be developed (for example, ballasting up a small quantity of water in an emppty tank and then deballasting again) and
discharging a small quantity of water prior to entering a port and preferably well outside the port, to clear out any sediment that may have accumulated around the bailast tank outlet pipe'
9.13 Avoiding Unnecessary Transportation of Ballast Water
If water is taken on to maintain trim during cargo loading operations, loading and unloading of ballast water should be conducted in the same harbour [to be defined] when possible.
9.1.4 Precautionary Practices that may be Recommended or Required
[LIST TO FOLLOW]
