Ballast Water Management Decision Support System - Global Maritime Transport and Ballast Water Management: Issues and Solutions - page 229

- BWM decision and action process;

- BWM action process;

- compliance monitoring process; and

- RA review process.

Each of these elements has its own function and the DSS structure provides for
their effective integration, and supports their independent functioning as well as
their mutual interrelations.

Data Collection and Management Process

The data collection process is critical simply because decisions are based on these;
i.e., wrong data input would result in a wrong answer. This mostly relies on port
States, as the BMW Convention does not provide requirements for reporting from
vessels to ports regarding ballast water operations, but only requires an on board
BWM log book. In this context two main aspects need to be considered: data avail-
ability; and data reliability.
Regarding data availability, correct data need to be available at the right time.
This means all data needed for the whole process to enable taking all decisions are
essential; e.g., biological data on ballast water source ports, environmental data
from source and receiving ports, vessels data on previous reporting. It is important
that the data are available timely to allow the vessel to conduct the requested BWM
practice; i.e., time to conduct RA, take a decision on BWM requirements, commu-
nicate with vessel, conduct BWM or take appropriate action.
Data reliability has quality and quantity aspects. The quality of data in the fi rst
place means that the DSS input data are based on reliable sources. In terms of quan-
tity, there should be enough comprehensive data to be statistically robust.
Most of the data received externally as well that from the decision process need
to be managed properly, be safely stored and accessible, which may be best
arranged in a DSS database. This database provides the DSS with the information
needed, e.g., vessels particulars, historical data on vessels compliance, as well as it
is serving the needs of outer sources; e.g., sharing information with other stake-
holders, reviewing the DSS process and as back-up for a later review process of a
single decision.

Communication Processes

The communication process consists of communications among the port State
authority (PSA) and:

- the vessel;

- the vessel's administration;

- the vessel's recognized organization responsible for the issue of certifi cates