A ballast water treatment system that appears to be running isn’t necessarily a system that’s ready. Alarms go unnoticed, control sequences fall out of sync, consumables run low, and by the time an issue surfaces during port state control inspection or an IMO audit, the cost is far greater than a routine check would ever have been.
Mr. Marine’s BWTS System Function Check is designed to catch these issues before they catch you.
A BWTS system function check is an operational verification service focused on confirming that your ballast water treatment system is functioning as designed and is ready for use. It is a distinct service from performance testing or sensor calibration, its purpose being practical and preventive: to verify that the system starts, sequences, and operates correctly, with no faults or active alarms.
The service typically takes around 6 hours to complete and is carried out by qualified marine service engineers with hands-on experience across a wide range of BWTS makes and models.
During a BWTS system function check, Mr. Marine’s engineers will carry out the following:
The BWTS is started and operated under normal conditions to confirm it runs without triggering alarms or faults. Any irregularities are identified and documented.
All control panel displays and operator interface elements are checked for correct functionality, ensuring the crew can reliably monitor and operate the system.
Engineers confirm that the system sequences correctly through both ballasting and deballasting operations, verifying that automated processes follow the intended logic.
Recent alarm histories and operational parameters are reviewed to identify any recurring issues or anomalies that may require follow-up attention.
A basic visual inspection is conducted on the system’s main components, including filters, UV lamps (where applicable), and pumps, to check for visible wear, damage, or irregularities.
Stock levels of required consumables — such as chemical solutions and filter cartridges — are checked to confirm that adequate supply is available for continued operation.
The system function check is not a substitute for sensor calibration or detailed performance testing. Those are separate, more involved procedures. This service is specifically scoped as a preventive operational check, confirming the system works, sequences correctly and has no active faults, so that your vessel is not caught off guard during an inspection or voyage.
If BWTS calibration or BWTS troubleshooting is what you require, Mr. Marine offers those as separate services. We also offer ballast water testing services such as VGP compliance sampling or IMO D2 commissioning sampling.
Regulatory pressure on ballast water management continues to grow. The IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention requires vessels to actively manage and document their BWTS operations, and port state control officers are increasingly thorough in their assessments.
A system that has not been verified operationally, even if it was last serviced some time ago, is an unknown variable. Consumables deplete. Alarms accumulate in logs without crew awareness. UV lamps degrade. Control panel faults go unnoticed in day-to-day operations.
A system function check gives vessel operators and ship managers the confidence that the BWTS is not just installed, but rather genuinely ready to perform.
Mr. Marine’s engineers are experienced in working across most of the major ballast water treatment system manufacturers on the market, including but not limited to:
Whether your vessel is fitted with a UV-based system, an electrochlorination system or a chemical dosing system, Mr. Marine has the technical background to carry out a thorough and accurate system function check.
Mr. Marine provides BWTS system function checks in major ports across the world. Wherever your vessel calls, our service network is structured to respond. We cover key ports across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and beyond, minimizing turnaround delays and ensuring service availability aligns with your vessel’s schedule.
Contact us with your vessel’s port of call and we will confirm engineer availability and coordinate the service around your operational timeline.
Keep your ballast water treatment system operationally verified and inspection-ready. Mr. Marine’s system function check is a straightforward, focused service: carried out by experienced engineers, available in major ports worldwide.
Get in touch with Mr. Marine today to schedule your BWTS system function check.
Our team is at your disposal 24/7, 365 days a year.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
