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(source: rmm ‘Crew need support for ballast treatment’ 『ballast water treatment technology 2013』 2013) 

Ballast Water Management System may require specific crew training to operate it safely and efficiently. Many opinions about this theme are suggested at last Ballast Water Treatment Technology Conference in Singapore.

There are totally different technologies of ballast water management system, and they will need varying degrees of training. However, most of the delegates agree on the necessity of training such as to protect the crew from the hazards.

 Abdhesh Prasad, fleet manager for Bernard Schulte Shipmanagement in Singapore, acknowledged the importance of the task of training the ship staff on the new system “and its operational success will depend on them understanding the limitation, control parameters and maintenance required for filters, and other components,” he said.

 Also David Balston, the director of safety and environment from UK Chamber of Shipping, agrees that manufacturers should provide training. “If manufacturers will not train the crews in every case, they would be forever sending engineers out to do simple repairs,” he said.

Some managers have concerns that a number of systems in the market and the cost of training. Captain Himadri Ghosh, marine safety and quality manager for V.Ships Asia Group, predicted if manufacturers offer the training, then we are looking at a major hike in training costs. Therefore, they will use e-learning platforms, integrated with the vessel’s own maintenance programme.

 With this fact, if crew members understand the reasons for the exchange or treatment of ballast water and associated sediments, they are more likely to ensure that it is carried out effectively and efficiently. As a result, the training goals that it outlines cover not only the equipment itself but are also aimed at installing an understanding of the actual convention.