Section 151.1512 - Implementation schedule for approved ballast water management methods(a) To discharge ballast water into the waters of the United States, the master, owner, operator, agent, or person in charge of a vessel subject to § 151.1510 of this subpart must either ensure that the ballast water meets the ballast water discharge standard as defined in § 151.1511(a) , use an AMS as provided for under § 151.1510(a)(1) or ballast exclusively with water from a U.S. public water system, as described in § 151.1510(a)(4) , according to the schedule in paragraph (b) of this section.(b)Implementation Schedule for the Ballast Water Management Discharge Standard for vessels using a Coast Guard approved BWMS to manage ballast water discharged to waters of the United States. After the dates listed in Table 151.1512(b), vessels may use a USCG-approved BWMS and comply with the discharge standard, or employ an approved ballast water management method per § 151.1510(a)(1) and (4) . Table 151.1512(b)-Implementation Schedule for Ballast Water Management Discharge Standards for Vessels Using Coast Guard Approved Ballast Water Management Systems
| Vessel's ballast
water capacity | Date constructed | Vessel's compliance date |
| New vessels | All | On or after December 1, 2013 | On delivery. |
| Existing vessels | Less than 1500 m3 | Before December 1, 2013 | First scheduled drydocking after January 1, 2016. |
| 1500-5000 m3 | Before December 1, 2013 | First scheduled drydocking after January 1, 2014. |
| Greater than 5000 m3 | Before December 1, 2013 | First scheduled drydocking after January 1, 2016. |
USCG-2001-10486, 77 FR 17305, Mar. 23, 2012, as amended by USCG-2015-0433, 80 FR 44281, July 27, 2015