NBIC News

Recent News

	30 May 08		NBIC has updated its online ballast water database which now supports web-based queries with graphical and tabular output. Regular updates are forthcoming. Please visit our search page.
	12 Sept 06		An updated Microsoft Word-format BW reporting form has been released and is available for download. For further instructions on how to download it, Please click here.
	3 Feb 06		An updated version of the Adobe-PDF format Ballast Water Reporting Form is available for download. This form can be used for online or e-mail submission, and minimizes the size of the attachment to be transmitted when reporting via e-mail. For further instructions or to download this form, please click here.
	1 Feb 05		Error in Microsoft Word-format BW Reporting Form. NBIC has discovered a critical error in a recent version of the Microsoft Word-format BW Reporting Form. Error Scope: This problem affects only the version of the Microsoft Word-format BW Reporting Form released on 11 August 2004. The release date of a Microsoft Word-format BW Reporting Form is listed in the lower left-hand corner of the first page. Forms without a release date were released prior to 8 June 2004. Error Description: The "Total No. of Tanks Onboard" field is mistakenly labeled "No. Tanks in Ballast", resulting in two identically-labeled fields in Section 3. Error Resolution: A new, corrected and updated version of the Microsoft Word-format BW Reporting Form has been posted here. NBIC recommends that anyone using an older version, especially the 11 August 2004 version, download this new version immediately. The new version's release date is 28 January 2005. NBIC apologizes for any difficulty or confusion this error may have caused. It is not necessary to re-submit BWM Reports filed using the 11 August 2004 version of the Microsoft Word-format BW Reporting Form. Any questions about this announcement should be directed to nbic@ballastreport.org.
	6 Jan 05		The Equivalent Reporting Program has been finalized. Guidelines for participation, applications, and instructions are available here.
	29 Oct 04		U.S. Coast Guard Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 07-04, Change-1 revises NVIC 07-04 and incorporates changes made by 69 FR 44952 and Commandant (G-MOC) Policy Letter 04-06 to provide additional guidance for Coast Guard personnel, vessel owners and operators, masters, shipping agents and persons-in-charge concerning compliance with and enforcement of the U.S. Coast Guard's new Mandatory Ballast Water Mangement Program.
	29 Oct 04		Details about the forthcoming Equivalent Reporting Program will be posted soon, pending finalization by the U.S. Coast Guard. Watch this space for further updates.
	29 Oct 04		Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to read updated questions and answers about the Ballast Water Reporting Form.
	2 Sep 04		Update to the PDF-format Ballast Water Reporting Form ensures that all fields are legible when printed out. Download the updated version here.
	10 Aug 04		U.S. Coast Guard MOC Policy Letter 04-06 provides guidance for Coast Guard personnel, vessel owners and operators, shipping agents and persons-in-charge concerning compliance with and enforcement of ballast water regulations.
	25 Jun 04		U.S. Coast Guard Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 07-04 provides guidance for Coast Guard personnel, vessel owners and operators, shipping agents and persons-in-charge concerning compliance with, and enforcement of, the U.S. Coast Guard's Ballast Water Management (BWM) Program.
	14 Jun 04		The official address to which all e-mail correspondence should be directed (including Ballast Water Reporting Forms submissions) has changed from ballast@si.edu to nbic@ballastreport.org.
	14 Jun 04		The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a Final Rule on "Penalties for Non-Submission of Ballast Water Management Reports" which can be found in the Federal Register: 69 Fed. Reg. 32864.
	14 Jun 04		U.S. Coast Guard Press Release: Coast Guard Establishes Civil Penalties for Vessels not in Compliance with Ballast Water Reporting Regulations
	14 Jun 04		U.S. Coast Guard Fact Sheet: New Ballast Water Reporting Regulations

Older News

			PDF Ballast Water Reporting Form can send ballast report data directly from form or as an e-mail attachment.
			MS Word Ballast Water Reporting Form with 22 possible tank lines available now to download and email.
			The National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC) Database is now available for viewing and download.
			The Online Ballast Water Reporting Form is now available.