Submission Instructions For Ballast Water Reporting Form

Select your condition to display the appropriate information:

Vessels that have operated outside the EEZ (which includes the equivalent zone of Canada):

Vessels that have not operated outside the EEZ

Vessels equipped with ballast water tanks bound for all ports or places within the waters of the United States other than the Great Lakes and Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge after operating outside the EEZ (which includes the equivalent zone of Canada):

At least 24 hours before arrival at the port or place of destination, or before departing the port or place of departure if voyage is less than 24 hours, send the form by one of the following methods:

Transmit the Ballast Water Reporting Form electronically to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC).

Choose from the following options:

If the vessel can access the internet, submit an Online Form:

  1. PDF-format Ballast Water Reporting Form - Online Option (click for more information and to download form)
    - Minimizes uplink time since data is entered offline. Only connect to upload data to NBIC.
    - Standard data can be saved to reduce completion time.
    - Receive an instantaneous printable receipt confirming successful submission.
    - Requires Adobe Reader (version 5.1 or later).
  2. Web-format Ballast Water Reporting Form (click for more information and to go to form)
    - Extensive features to assist user with completion.
    - Produces an instantaneous printable receipt confirming successful submission.
    - Must be connected to the internet during all steps of completion and submission.
    - Accessible using any web browser.

If the vessel can send e-mail, submit an E-mail Form to nbic@ballastreport.org:

  1. PDF-format Ballast Water Reporting Form - E-mail Option (click for more information and to download form)
    - Minimizes uplink time by sending data in a very small attachment (<20 KB).
    - Standard data can be saved to reduce completion time.
    - Receive a printable receipt confirming successful submission within 2 business days.
    - Requires Adobe Reader (version 5.1 or later).
  2. Microsoft Word-format Ballast Water Reporting Form (click for more information and to download form)
    - Standard data can be saved to reduce completion time.
    - Receive a printable receipt confirming successful submission within 2 business days.
    - Requires Microsoft Word 97 or later.

Transmit the Ballast Water Reporting Form by fax to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC).

If necessary, you can download and fax the printable Ballast Water Reporting Form to: 301 261 4319

Vessels Bound for the Great Lakes

Fax the information to the USCG COTP Buffalo, Massena Detachment at 315–769–5032 or to the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation at 315–764–3250 at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives in Montreal, Quebec.

In lieu of faxing, vessels that are not U.S. or Canadian flagged may complete the ballast water information section of the St. Lawrence Seaway "Pre-entry Information from Foreign Flagged Vessel Form".

Vessels Bound for the Hudson River North of George Washington Bridge

Fax the information to the COTP New York at 718–354–4249 at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives at New York, New York.

Vessels that have not operated outside the EEZ, which are equipped with ballast water tanks and are bound for all ports or places within the waters of the United States including the Great Lakes and Hudson River North of George Washington Bridge:

At least 24 hours before arrival at the port or place of destination, or before departing the port or place of departure if voyage is less than 24 hours, send the form by one of the following methods:

Transmit the Ballast Water Reporting Form electronically to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC).

Choose from the following options:

If the vessel can access the internet, submit an Online Form:

  1. PDF-format Ballast Water Reporting Form - Online Option (click for more information and to download form)
    - Minimizes uplink time since data is entered offline. Only connect to upload data to NBIC.
    - Standard data can be saved to reduce completion time.
    - Receive an instantaneous printable receipt confirming successful submission.
    - Requires Adobe Reader (version 5.1 or later).
  2. Web-format Ballast Water Reporting Form (click for more information and to go to form)
    - Extensive features to assist user with completion.
    - Produces an instantaneous printable receipt confirming successful submission.
    - Must be connected to the internet during all steps of completion and submission.
    - Accessible using any web browser.

If the vessel can send e-mail, submit an E-mail Form to nbic@ballastreport.org:

  1. PDF-format Ballast Water Reporting Form - E-mail Option (click for more information and to download form)
    - Minimizes uplink time by sending data in a very small attachment (<20 KB).
    - Standard data can be saved to reduce completion time.
    - Receive a printable receipt confirming successful submission within 2 business days.
    - Requires Adobe Reader (version 5.1 or later).
  2. Microsoft Word-format Ballast Water Reporting Form (click for more information and to download form)
    - Standard data can be saved to reduce completion time.
    - Receive a printable receipt confirming successful submission within 2 business days.
    - Requires Microsoft Word 97 or later.

Transmit the Ballast Water Reporting Form by fax to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC).

If necessary, you can download and fax the printable Ballast Water Reporting Form to: 301 261 4319

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Equivalent Reporting Program