@article{GENERAL,
      author = {Evans, Paul and Langley, Emma},
      url = {http://library.imarest.org/record/7534},
      journal = {Conference Proceedings of BWTC},
      title = {Practical Difficulties of Sampling Ballast Tanks - What  Lessons Can Be Learned?},
      abstract = {The adoption of the International Convention for the  Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and  Sediments (BWMC) in 2004 (herewith the Convention) has  sought to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms  and pathogens in the ballast water and sediments of ships,  threatening marine ecosystems worldwide. The Convention  sets out the various requirements and the various steps  vessels owners / operators and port States need to  undertake in order to effectively manage ballast water and  sediments. However, there are still open issues and  uncertainty, including the scientific and practical  challenges of sampling of ballast tanks and monitoring  compliance with the Convention’s standards. In order  to monitor compliance with the Convention’s  standards, documented management practices can be inspected  for appropriateness and inspection of vessel log books can  give an indication that practices have been implemented.  However, sampling is the most effective way to ensure  compliance with standards set out in the Convention. To  check compliance with the D-1 (exchange) standard, vessel  log books should be inspected and sampling can be used to  check for anomalies in the composition of the ballast water  (e.g. salinity). D-1 compliance is intended as an interim  step until treatment systems are more widely available  – although, some ports may require exchange as well  as treatment in the long term.

Compliance with the D-2  (performance) standard following treatment of the ballast  water requires the sampling of biological, chemical and  physical parameters. Whether checking compliance to the D-1  or D-2 standards, there are significant sampling  challenges. These include the logistics of gaining vessel  access; having multiple sample methods available to suit  ballast tank access restrictions; getting a representative  sample; sample analyses; sample interpretation and; what to  do if a sample fails? In addition to this, local  requirements can present further challenges (e.g. small  time windows for bacterial analysis). This paper will  highlight the difficulties of sampling ballast tanks in  practice, drawing from national and international  experiences, and will also comment more broadly on the  sampling process and governance – such as regional  differences and the role of port State control. Drawing on  protocols adopted by other states will help to facilitate a  more efficient, consistent and organised implementation of  the Convention to the shipping community worldwide.},
      number = {GENERAL},
      recid = {7534},
      address = {2017-01-13},
}