Summary of the Great Lakes Seaway Ballast Water Working Group

In 2009, 100% of vessels bound for the Great Lakes Seaway received a ballast tank exam. A total of 5450 ballast tanks, onboard 295 vessels, were sampled and had a 97.9% compliance rate. Vessels that failed to properly manage their ballast tanks were required to either retain the ballast water and residuals on board, treat the ballast water in an environmentally sound and approved manner, or return to sea to conduct a ballast water exchange. In addition, 100% of ballast water reporting forms were screened to assess ballast water history, compliance, voyage information and proposed discharge location. The BWWG anticipates continued high vessel compliance rates for the 2010 navigation season.

To read the working groups report click here: