The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has issued the rule with regard to obligation of installation of ballast water management system for the vessels engaged in U.S. waters. The rule is entitled as "Standards for Living Organisms in Ship's Ballast Water Discharged in U.S. Waters", Vol.77, Federal Register Reg.17254, on 23 March 2012 (Please refer our Technical information TEC No.0903).
Relating to the above, on 25 September 2013, USCG published the Policy letter regarding the provision to grant an extension to the implementation schedule for ballast water management discharge standards for vessels using USCG approved ballast water management systems as provided in 33CFR151.1513 and 151.2036.（Please refer our Technical information TEC No.0971）.
On 10 September 2015, USCG published revised Policy Letter regarding the application of the extension (attachment1), Application tips for extended compliance dates under USCG Ballast Water Management regulations（attachment 2）, and Application for extended compliance date under U.S. Coast Guard Ballast Water Management (BWM) Regulations）（attachment 3）.
USCG's policy regarding the extension has not changed significantly. However, there are some changes for application method of the extension, and notable amendments and useful information are as follows:

1. Vessels that choose to install AMS may also apply for an extension.
2. Removed 5-year limit on a vessel's cumulative extension.
3. When the application regarding the extension is done, removed requirement to provide copy of a vessel's Ballast Water Management Plan. A statement that a vessel has a BWM Plan that the vessel will follow for discharges that take place in waters of the U.S. is sufficient.
4. Paper applications are not acceptable. Extension requests must be submitted electronically as an e-mail.
5. When the application regarding the extension is done, application with Excel spreadsheet file (i.e. attachment3) titled "BWM extension application - INSERT VESSEL NAME" to be submitted.
6. Sub section regarding supplemental extension process is added the revised Policy Letter (i.e. attachment1) as 5(b).
7. Submit vessels with same calendar year of original compliance date, and same reasons why they cannot comply with requirement at the same time.
8. Submit application within 12-24 months of a vessel's original compliance date.
9. Identify application as "supplemental" in email subject line and in application spreadsheet (i.e. attachment3).

(To be continued)