EPA's Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General

tanks in ballast. Use units of measurements such as metric tons (MT), cubic meters (m3), long
tons (LT), and short tons (ST).
2. Ballast water management. Include the total number of ballast tanks/holds that are to be
discharged into the waters of the United States or to a reception facility. Indicate whether the
vessel has a ballast water management plan and IMO guidelines on board, and whether the
ballast water management plan is used.
3. Information on ballast water tanks that are to be discharged into waters subject to this permit
or to a reception facility. Include the following:
� The origin of ballast water. This includes date(s), locations(s) (including latitude and
longitude and port [if relevant]), volume(s), and temperatures(s). If a tank has been
exchanged, list the loading port of the ballast water that was discharged during the
exchange.
� The date(s), location(s) (including latitude and longitude), volume(s), method,
thoroughness (percentage exchanged if exchange conducted), sea height at time of
exchange if exchange conducted, of any ballast water exchanged or otherwise managed.
� Specific records pertaining to treated ballast water (see Part 2.2.3.5 of the permit).
� The expected date, location, volume, and salinity of any ballast water to be discharged
into the waters of the United States or a reception facility.
4. Discharge of sediment. If sediment is to be discharged into a facility within the jurisdiction of
the United States, include the location of the facility where the disposal will take place.
The ballast water reporting forms must be kept on board the vessel and must be submitted to the
National Ballast Information Clearinghouse before arriving to U.S. ports if required by the U.S.
Coast Guard. In addition, all vessels that conduct saltwater flushing but do not report saltwater
flushing to the NBIC, must instead keep a record of saltwater flushing to meet the requirements
of this permit.
Reporting Requirements
For vessels covered under the VGP, the EPA requires vessel owners/operators to submit an
Annual Report, i.e., the form available in Appendix H of the VGP. The EPA requires vessel
owners/operators to report all instances of noncompliance as part of the Annual Report. The
EPA requires vessel owners/operators to submit all analytical monitoring results as part of the
Annual Report. Vessel owners/operators are required to answer all questions accurately and
completely, and provide the necessary information and/or data to support each response. They
are required to submit their Annual Report electronically unless exempted as described in the
VGP. The EPA requires owners and operators of vessels greater than 300 gross tons or ballast
water capacity of at least 8 cubic meters to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI). They require all
other vessel owners/operators to complete a Permit Authorization and Record of Inspection Form
(PARI) and keep it onboard at all times.
The following questions will be added to the Annual Report form available in Appendix H of the
VGP:
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