BWMS Commissioning Testing

The following steps should be undertaken following installation of the BWMS on board the ship, and after all ballasting equipment (e.g. pumps and piping) has been fully installed and tested, as appropriate:

.1 a sample may be collected during ballast water uptake to characterize the ambient water, by any means practical (e.g. in-line sample port or direct harbour sample). Characterization of the ambient water does not require detailed analysis of the uptake water, however an indicative analysis may be undertaken;

.2 a representative sample should be collected during the corresponding ballast water discharge after the full treatment has been applied. Samples should be collected from the sampling point as described in the Guidelines on ballast water sampling (G2). The total sample volume should be at least 1 m3. If a smaller volume is validated to ensure representative sampling of organisms, it may be used;

.3 the representative samples should be analysed for the two size classes of organisms, namely ≥ 50 μm and ≥ 10 μm to < 50 μm, as specified in the D-2 standard, using indicative analysis methods listed in BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev.2, as may be amended; and

.4 the applicable self-monitoring parameters (e.g. flow rate, pressure, TRO concentration, UV transmittance/intensity, etc.) of the BWMS should also be assessed, taking into account the system design limitations of the BWMS, and the correct operation of all sensors and related equipment should be confirmed.

The commissioning test is successful if the indicative analysis indicates that the discharge samples do not exceed the D-2 standard for the size classes analysed (see paragraph 4.3) and the self-monitoring equipment indicates correct operation. Indicative analysis equipment used should be to the satisfaction of the Administration. Indicative analysis is defined in BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev.2, as may be amended.

According to IACS Procedural Requirements for Service Suppliers (Z17 Rev16 Aug 21), analysis of all organism type/size classes or combination of detail and indicative analysis can also be performed, (paragraph 18.5).