First BWTS installation for Great Lakes

The 165ft, 1958-built Ranger III is operated by the National Park Service (NPS). Although the ship is actually exempt from the ballast water regulations, as it operates in a single zone under USCG rules, as well as having a freshwater fleet exemption, NPS decided to fit a BWTS on environmental grounds. After a review of available type approved treatment systems NPS decided on the Hyde Guardian.

The reasons for voluntarily fitting a BWTS are summarised by NPS as:

• Protection of park waters from accidental aquatic invasive species transfers during ballast discharges;
• Prevention of zebra mussel introduction from park waters to the Houghton shipping canal;
• Producing a report on IMO ballast technologies available for small ships; and
• Support of research and testing to enhance the ability for small ships to implement BWT and provide a test platform for compliance test development

The installation was supported by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and the selection was based on IMO type approval, the ability to operate in the fresh water and cold conditions of Lake Superior, as well as a number of technical and ship specific details. UV based treatment was consideredmost suitable because the short route between the mainland and the park would provide insufficient treatment holding time for many biocides.