| Office of Public Affairs U.S. Coast Guard |
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| Press Release | Date: August 31, 2005 Contact: Lt Gene Maestas |
Coast Guard policy protects the Great Lakes WASHINGTON –Today, the Coast Guard established a policy of best management practices forvessels entering the Great Lakes that declare No Ballast Onboard (NOBOB). This new policy was established to reduce the introductions of aquatic nonindigenous species (NIS) into the Great Lakes. Vessels declaring NOBOB carry residual ballast water and/or sediments that have the potential to harbor NIS. As these vessels transit the Great Lakes, they off-load their cargo and take on Great Lakes water as ballast water. Once NOBOB vessels take on new cargo, and discharge the mixed (residual and Great Lakes) ballast water, the potential exists for the introduction of NIS into the Great Lakes. The Coast Guard established best management practices for NOBOBs that encourages them to conduct mid-ocean ballast water exchange on ballast-laden voyages. If they are unable to conduct a mid-ocean ballast water exchange they are encouraged to conduct saltwater flushing of their empty ballast tanks. The NOBOB vessels that employ these practices should incorporate them into their Ballast Water Management Plan. The Coast Guard will monitor the shipping industry’s implementation of these practices to determine the success of the policy. These best management practices are applicable to all vessels that enter the Great Lakes with empty ballast tanks that may be filled with ballast water and discharged within the Great Lakes. More information can be found at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mso/ans.htm. The Notice of Policy can be found in Federal Register Notice 70 FR 168 (pp 51831-51836 at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. The policy may also be viewed at http://dms.dot.gov. In this web site, proceed to simple search, and under docket number, enter 19842. This new policy will be implemented August 31, 2005.### Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.
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