California gets ready for new biofouling regulations

The California State Lands Commission (SLC) sent a Final Letter to interested parties, informing that the new biofouling regulations become effective on 1st October 2017. These regulations adopt a new annual vessel reporting form and require development of a biofouling management plan and related recordkeeping.

The provisions that will become effective on October 1, 2017, are:

• Repeal of the reporting requirements for the Hull Husbandry Reporting Form, the Ballast Water Treatment Supplemental Reporting Form and the Ballast Water Treatment Annual Reporting Form
• Adoption of the Marine Invasive Species Program Annual Vessel Reporting Form

The remaining requirements will be applicable after a vessel’s first regularly scheduled out-of-water maintenance (i.e. dry dock) after January 1, 2018, or upon delivery on or after January 1, 2018, including requirements for:

• Developing and maintaining a Biofouling Management Plan
• Developing and maintaining a Biofouling Record Book
• Mandatory biofouling management of the vessel’s wetted surfaces
• Mandatory biofouling management for vessels that undergo an extended residency period (i.e., remain in the same location for 45 or more days)

Recently, the California State Lands Commission (SLC) also approved new rules on ballast water management, effective from 1st July 2017.