USCG approves Hyde Marine’s ballast water treatment system

Hyde Marine’s ballast water treatment system (BWTS), Hyde Guardian, has received the US Coast Guard (USCG) Alternate Management System (AMS) approval, marking a step ahead in achieving full USCG Type Approval.

Subject to compliance with the USCG Ballast Water Discharge Standards by the vessel, AMS approval enables the BWTS to be used aboard a vessel for five years.

During the five-year period, the BWTS manufacturer will carry out necessary work to obtain US Type Approval, while ensuring the ship operator’s compliance with US ballast water regulations.

The new system will be used for ships using ballast water discharge processes at their major dry docking after 1 January 2014.

Hyde Marine vice president John Platz said, "With the release of the US Coast Guard’s final ballast water regulation and along with the pending ratification of the IMO BWM Convention, ship owners are on a strict timeline to install proven BWT technology to bring their vessels into compliance."

"The USCG’s determination that the Hyde Guardian system is a viable AMS solution validates our ongoing commitment to help the maritime industry achieve ballast water treatment compliance."

The Hyde Guardian BWTS has undergone testing at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and demonstrated reliable performance in difficult operating conditions, while meeting IMO G8 Guidelines.

The chemical-free BWT process uses automatic backflushing depth filtration and ultraviolet disinfection to treat ships’ ballast water and prevent the spread of invasive species.