New course launched in response to the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention

A new two-day course has been launched by Warsash Maritime Academy, part of Southampton Solent University, in response to the imminent ratification of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention (2004).

This intensive course will ensure that yacht captains and operators are better prepared to implement and monitor the convention.

The convention includes an environmental responsibility for the shipping industry, including yachts, with measures being put in place to avoid pollution through the transfer of non-indigenous species from one area of the world to another through the ship’s water ballast.

The Ballast Water Management (BWM) course, being delivered by Warsash’s maritime training experts, is designed to help provide a clear understanding of implementation and monitoring requirements at an early stage. Even those vessels that do not ordinarily undertake ballast operations have to operate a Ballast Water Management System.

Captain Nadeem Anwar, petrochemical senior lecturer and course leader commented,  “There are no mandatory training requirements to date. However, for monitoring purposes, the administrations either have to organise in-house training or take advantage of the available quality course on this topic.

“Similarly, yacht captains and engineers need to develop an ability to inform their decision making regarding the management system required as per the convention. Upon ratification, there will be – as usual – a race against time; therefore by attending our course this is an opportunity to prepare for compliance”.

The BWM course is aimed for a wide variety of professionals within the yachting sector. As well as yacht officers, the course is suitable for those who have positions with shore management.

Fore more information, and full details of the course contact Warsash Maritime Academy.