Ballast Water Management method when operating in the waters of the United States Full-text PDF:TEC- 1131 (592kb) Contact:Machinery Department Issued:14 Sep 2017 Although the United States is not signatory to BWM Convention, vessels discharging ballast water into the waters of the U.S. are to comply with the requirements of 33 CFR 151 Subparts C & D. Recently, the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse has received a number of reports indicating that untreated ballast water exchanges had been undertaken by vessels beyond their compliance date and without a valid Coast Guard extension. Masters, owners/operators, agents and persons-in-charge are reminded vessels beyond their compliance date are to employ one of the following Ballast Water Management methods when operating in the waters of the United States: - Use a U.S. type-approved BWMS to meet the discharge standard; - Use and discharge ballast water obta