Question 243Safety & Environmental - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is D) 200 nautical miles. The U.S. federal ballast water management regulations require vessels to conduct a complete ballast water exchange at least 200 nautical miles from any shoreline before discharging ballast water in U.S. waters. This requirement is in place to help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic species by requiring ballast water to be exchanged in the open ocean, where the water is less likely to contain organisms that could become harmful in a new environment. The other options are incorrect because they do not meet the 200 nautical mile requirement specified in the regulations. 12 nautical miles, 50 nautical miles, and 100 nautical miles are all shorter distances that would not be sufficient to comply with the federal ballast water management standards.