Page 202 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - SEPT 2025

Through a seafarer's eyes
Horizon

Be prepared: Ballast water books. Ballast Water Management Sys-
management inspection tem (BWMS) issues are also prevalent,
campaign by Paris and Tokyo including failures to report malfunctions
MoUs to PSC, insufficient recording of issues,
From 1 September to 30 November systems being out of order, or a lack of
2025, a crucial Port State Control adherence to contingency measures.
Concentrated Inspection Campaign Furthermore, problems with the ballast
(PSC CIC) will focus on Ballast Water water management plan itself, such as
Management (BWM). Organised by inconsistencies, missing information,
the Paris and Tokyo MoUs, with antic- or outdated details regarding the BWM
ipated participation from most other method, port of registry, or designated
PSC MoUs, this campaign highlights the person, have been observed.
ongoing commitment to environmental To maintain continuous compliance, it is
protection and adherence to BWM reg- essential to incorporate these insights
ulations. An additional questionnaire, into routine onboard maintenance
detailing specific focus areas for the schedules and to ensure thorough and
CIC, is expected to be released in early ongoing familiarisation of the crew with
August. BWM procedures. While the CIC is part
Recent inspections in 2024 and 2025 of regular PSC inspections, meaning
have revealed common deficiencies in that inspections will not be solely lim-
BWM compliance. These often involve ited to BWM, this specific topic will
issues with the ballast water record be a key focus during the first PSC
book, such as a lack of flag approval for inspection conducted by a participat-
electronic versions, incomplete or incor- ing MoU. Proactive preparation is vital
rect entries, discrepancies with opera- to ensure smooth operations and avoid
tional logs, or the use of outdated record potential non-compliance findings.

the bridge
from by Capt. George Georgoulis

200 NX