BUSY WEEK FOR MARITIME TOURISM This week we will receive 4 cruise liners and 2 calls from the Norwegian training vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl. On Monday the 20 May, two liners will...
The biggest liner to use Scotland’s longest commercial deep-water berth tied up today in Orkney. The Caribbean Princess arrived alongside the newly extended Hatston Pier with more than 3,200 pas...
Despite strong tidal currents around the Orkney Islands, the inner waters of Scapa Flow are largely unaffected by tidal currents and consequently the water exchange process is very slow.
To minimize the potential for pollution resulting from oil, chemical, heavy metals and transfer of non native aquatic organisms and pathogens which may be contained within ships ballast water and associated sediments, the OIC Harbours in association with the Flotta Oil terminal, operates a stringent policy on the control and management of ships' ballast water; to provide protection for this important marine environment and the rich natural marine biodiversity within Scapa Flow.
The procedure applies to all vessels over 400GRT within or using the Scapa Flow Oil Port or Anchorage Facility. These port procedures enhance on the International Convention for the 'Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediment' adopted in 2004, and the guidelines issued under IMO Resolution A.868 (20).
Vessels
The discharge of a ship's ballast water whilst within Scapa Flow as defined by the harbour limits is prohibited unless in accordance with the following:
a) For Vessels Using the Flotta Oil Terminal Jetty or SPM Facilities
Discharge is only permitted through the ballast water reception and treatment facilities that are provided at the Flotta Oil terminal. This ensures the discharge can be both monitored and if necessary treated, prior to its transfer and eventual discharge south of Flotta.
b) Liquid Gas Carriers Not Subject To a Special Ballast Management Agreements
Direct discharge to sea of ballast water is only permitted in accordance with the following restrictions:
The total quantity of ballast water for discharge is limited to the minimum essential quantity possible.
The ballast water for discharge must have been taken onboard or exchanged in accordance with IMO Resolution A.868 (20) Reg B-4 criteria, i.e. at a location where the depth of water is 200m or more and at a minimum of 50Nm from the nearest land. If this is not possible, then at least taken onboard or exchanged within 24 hours of arrival at Scapa Flow and a minimum of 12Nm from the nearest land.
The Master has formally requested and obtained written permission from the Harbour Authority to undertake specific de-ballast operations.
c) Liquid Gas Carriers Identified in Specific Ballast Water Management Agreements
Direct discharge to sea of ballast water is only permitted in accordance with the following conditions:
The total quantity of ballast water for discharge is limited to the minimum essential quantity possible.
The ballast water for discharge must have been taken onboard or exchanged within the specific locations and in accordance with the circumstances and conditions identified within the agreement.
The Master submits to the Harbour Authority prior to arrival a ballast water reporting form as per (SF 07-008) or similar indicating the times, quantities and positions of all ballast water intake operations and indicating those tanks to be discharged.
The Master has onboard a valid copy of the ballast water management agreement.
Compliance
Vessels that cannot comply fully with the conditions described in a), b) or c) must proceed out of Scapa Flow to undertake any de-ballast operation they require. In accordance with b), iii) the Master to obtain permission to discharge ballast must provide the Port Authority with a Ballast Water Reporting Form (SF 07-008) or similar indicating the position and time of taking onboard and/or exchange of the ballast water and a Ballast Water Discharge Request Form (SF 07-009) or similar indicating those tanks and quantities being requested for discharge. Written permission will be forwarded to the Master either directly or through the ship's agent as appropriate.
Ballast water management agreements with the Harbour Authority as described for vessels in c) are only applicable to specifically named vessels, when the particular circumstances of their regular trade and ports of call can be positively identified; allowing the Harbour Authority to examine the issues and risks associated with ballast water management as applicable to that vessel and therefore consider if any special agreement where the conditions are developed through a process of risk assessment and considered analysis maybe appropriate other than as described in b). These agreements will only be applicable to Scapa Flow.
The Port Authority at their discretion may require a vessel to submit to ballast water sample testing and analysis prior to being given permission to discharge, and place limits on the total quantity to be discharged in Scapa Flow or require additional safe guards or restrictions.
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