United States Coast Guard (USCG) has already published the Policy Letter regarding the provision to grant extension to the implementation schedule for approved ballast water management methods as provided in 33CFR151 Subparts C and D. (Please refer to ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-1056)
USCG published Marine Safety Information Bulletin (14-16) announced the approval of the first Coast Guard type approved Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) and stated that any owner/operator requesting an extension must provide USCG with an explicit statement supported by documentary evidence that installation of the type approved system is not possible for purposes of compliance with the regulatory implementation schedule.

The main contents for extension are as below.
1. Handling of the existing extension letter
Extension letters will remain valid until the extended compliance date specified in the extension letter. Supplemental extensions may be requested; however, if a type approved BWMS is available; requests must provide the necessary evidence to show why compliance is not possible as shown in paragraph 3.

2. Future extensions
An extension to a vessel's compliance date for the minimum time needed, as determined by USCG may be granted in cases where the ship owner/operator can document that despite all efforts, compliance with the requirements listed below is not possible.
- Use a U.S. type-approved BWMS to meet the discharge standard;
- Temporarily use a foreign type-approved BWMS that has been accepted by USCG as an Alternate Management System (AMS) (As for AMS, please refer to ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0971);
- Use and discharge ballast water obtained exclusively from a U.S. Public Water System (PWS);
- Discharge ballast water to a reception facility;
- Do not discharge ballast water inside 12 nautical miles

(To be continued)