German Certificate of Equivalence: Ballast Water Tank Exemption document

We recently had some cases where during their on board inspections, the German Authority inspectors of BG Verkehr asked for ballast water tank exemption documents.

Since according to the Ballast Water Management Convention vessels with 400GT and more need to have a Ballast Water Management Certificate along with a Ballast Water Management Plan and Record Book. Vessels being exempted are issued with a respective exemption certificate. However, small vessels generally don't have such.

Following the regulations of the German Authorities, small vessels (under 400GT) that don't carry ballast water tanks nevertheless are required to present a Ballast Water Tank Exemption document.

This document can be issued either by the classification society, certifying authority or Flag State where the vessel has been coded or classed. It is no certificate as such, rather a formal document of any of the aforementioned organisations stating that the coded/classed vessel does not include the capability to carry water ballast and isn't therefore likely to conduct an operation subject to the Water Ballast Management Convention. Hence, the vessel will not require to hold a Ballast Water Management Plan, or a Ballast Water Record Book.

StormAdHoc Service for Workboat clients

‪BRAGER Solutions is offering a special service that facilitates inspections. We call this StormAdHoc service  which enables inspections on short notice. Within an official approval form the client (vessel operator) authorizes the captain/skipper to call us on short notice for an inspection and allows for a surcharge of 25% of the order total. A survey date can take place the same day, at night, being arranged on weekends, official or bank holidays or after office closing times when the office is usually not occupied. StormAdHoc means more flexibility in order to meet unforseen weather changes, it means additional options off the general working hours and less downtimes. Communication ways are shortened and more direct and the girl in the operator's company office is being taken coordination work between vessel and surveyor off their shoulders.

Order our StormAdHoc service and we guarantee for stress-free, speedy and straightforward inspections.

Accreditations as MCA Code Examiners

We are pleased to anounce that we are officially accredited MCA Code Examinors by MECAL and the Society of Consulting Marine Engineers and Ship Surveyors (SCMS).

Offering regular MCA Annual Inspections (SCV2, SWB2), along with one-time Tonnnage Measurement Surveys and MCA Coding, up to Safe Manning Certificates, we provide all kind of MCA services to our clients primarily on the North and Baltic Sea coast in Germany, Denmark, Poland and Scandinavia.