Instructions for submitting Canadian Ballast Water Reporting form (BWRF) - SSB No.: 07/2022

This bulletin replaces Ship Safety Bulletin No. 07/2018

Purpose

This bulletin explains the requirements of section 24 of the Ballast Water Regulations (BWR): which addressees the way in which the master of a vessel that is bound for a port, offshore terminal or anchorage area in Canada must submit duly completed Ballast Water Reporting Form (BWRF) and relevant documents to Transport Canada, Marine Safety and Security (TCMSS).

Scope

This bulletin applies to masters of any vessel that is subject to the Ballast Water Regulations (The Regulations), and bound for a port, offshore terminal, or anchorage area in Canada.

Background

The Regulations gives effect to Canada’s international obligations under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (The Convention), which entered into force in September 2017; further protect waters under Canadian jurisdiction from the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species organisms and pathogens by Canadian and foreign vessels, and maintain foundational requirements from the former regulations that can still be applied to the amended regime, such as reporting requirements.

All ballast water must be managed according to the regulations.

Reporting how vessels manage their ballast water helps protect the environment.

What you need to know

You must submit a BWRF for all ballast tanks, regardless of their ballast tank conditions, and even you don’t plan to discharge ballast while in water under Canadian jurisdiction.

Before submitting your form

The submission of the BWRF will depend on when the vessel enters Canadian waters.

When to submit your form

The BWRF and documents must be submitted as follows:

1. if the duration of the segment of the voyage before entering waters under Canadian jurisdictions is less than 24 hours, as soon as practicable before entering waters under Canadian jurisdictions but no later than the time of departure from the last port of call.
2. if the duration of the segment of the voyage before entering waters under Canadian jurisdictions is less than 96 hours but more than 24 hours, at least 24 hours before entering waters under Canadian jurisdictions; or
3. At least 96 hours before entering waters under Canadian jurisdictions.

How to submit your form

TCMSS will only accept the latest version of the form.

You must download the latest version of the BWRF using the following links:

• 85-0512-AE (PDF, 324 KB) (20 tanks)
• 85-0512-BE (PDF, 342 KB) (30 tanks)
• 85-0512-CE (PDF, 336 KB) (50 tanks)

The work instructions for filling BWRF are available in the document titled – Completion of the Canadian Ballast Water Reporting Form - at the following link.

A duly completed BWRF and required documents must be submitted electronically via email to the appropriate address indicated below and must include the vessel name, IMO vessel number, name of the first port of call and estimated date/time of arrival in the subject line.

Please make sure your submission includes:

• Copy of all pages of the International Ballast Water Management Certificate, or an equivalent document (as per section 23 of the Regulations);
• Copy of all pages of the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate or its interim and supplements, and
• Other relevant documents/certificates as it might be requested by TCMSS

Where to email or fax your completed form

If the vessel proceed to	Email your form to	Or fax your form to
Canada’s East Coast, Great Lakes Basin, Quebec or Ontario region	atlanticballastwater@tc.gc.ca	902-426-6657
The Canadian Arctic (north of 60º N), Hudson Bay, Ungava Bay or James Bay	atlanticballastwater@tc.gc.ca	902-426-6657
Canada’s West Coast, including the western Arctic	pacballastwater@tc.gc.ca	604-666-9177

Failure to Comply

It is the responsibility of the master of the vessel to ensure that all BWRF and required documents provided to TCMSS are complete and accurate. Masters of vessels subject to the Regulations failing to submit, or submitting incomplete or inaccurate BWRF and documents, risk subjecting their vessel to administrative and control actions such as, but not limited to administrative monetary penalties, inspection, detention, redirection, or expulsion from Canadian waters, in addition the master may be fined under the administrate monetary penalty regime.

After you submit your form

You’ll receive an automated email message to confirm that TCMSS has received your BWRF. If you need to update or make a change to your form or related document after you’ve submitted it, report the change according to work instructions set out in the in the document titled – Completion of the Canadian Ballast Water Reporting Form - at the following link.

All reasonable measures must be taken by the master of a vessel, whenever a change occurs in the BWRF and/or documents previously provided to TCMSS, to ensure:

1. the change is reported in accordance with the work instructions set out in the in the document titled – Completion of the Canadian Ballast Water Reporting Form - at the following link: and
2. in the case of a change that has occurred after the vessel has entered Canadian waters, that change is reported before the vessel’s first interface with a port, offshore terminal, or anchorage area in Canada

Keeping of forms

The master or operator must keep on board a copy of each BRWF for at least 24 months after it is submitted.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding this Ship Safety Bulletin, please email the Environmental Protection Group at: PollPrevCanada-PrevPollCanada@tc.gc.ca

Keywords

1. Ballast Water Regulations
2. Ballast Water
3. Ballast Water Reporting Form
4. International Ballast Water Management Certificate

Questions concerning this Bulletin should be addressed to:

AMSE

Transport Canada
Marine Safety and Security
Tower C, Place de Ville
330 Sparks Street, 11^th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N8

Contact us at: Email: marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca or Telephone: 1-855-859-3123 (Toll Free).