NBIC Data Use Statement and Disclaimer

Data Release Policy

As part of its mission to provide society with knowledge to meet environmental challenges, the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (a partnership of the U.S. Coast Guard and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center) makes information on ballast water activities of commercial ships operating in the U.S. available to the public. We ask all users to abide by the following conditions and policies.

Data Use Agreement

As a condition for access to the data provided by the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse, I agree to the following:

   1. I agree not to sell or distribute data provided by the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse.

   2. If data from the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse are used as part of any publication or public presentation, I will acknowledge the NBIC with the following citation:

National Ballast Information Clearinghouse 2008. NBIC Online Database. Electronic publication, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center & United States Coast Guard. Available from http://invasions.si.edu/nbic/search.html; searched <date>.

Disclaimer

The National Ballast Information Clearinghouse, U.S. Coast Guard, and Smithsonian Institution claim no guarantees for data accuracy or completeness, expressed or implied. All responsibilities for the use of these data will be solely those of the user. Continual quality control and quality assurance measures are used in collecting and processing data. However, accuracy of the data or suitability for a specific purpose are not guaranteed. Data are released "as is" for limited public use and, prior to publication, should be treated as preliminary, provisional data to be used only with appropriate caution.

In no event shall the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse, U.S. Coast Guard, or Smithsonian Institution, its sponsors, or their respective employees, agents, suppliers, or contractors be liable for any damages of any kind or character, including without limitation any compensatory, incidental, direct, indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages, loss of use, loss of data, loss of income or profit, loss of or damage to property, claims of third parties, or other losses of any kind or character, even if the Smithsonian Institution and its sponsors have been advised of the possibility of such damages or losses, arising out of or in connection with the use of these data.

Definitions

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) - In general, waters within 200 nautical miles of U.S. (or Canadian) land masses .

Coastal ballast water - water from areas within 200 nautical miles from shore.

Ballast Water Discharge into ports or places of the US, by source:

    1. Overseas Discharge - all coastal water that was carried through waters outside the US and Canadian EEZs.

    2. Coastwise Discharge - coastal water that was not carried through waters outside the US and Canadian EEZs.

Arrivals:

    1. Overseas - voyage to a US port or place immediately after passage outside the U.S. or Canadian EEZs (see Table and Maps).

    2. Coastwise - voyage to a US port or place without passage outside the U.S. or Canadian EEZs (see Table and Maps).

I understand the disclaimer and I agree to the data use conditions: