To be in compliance with U.S. Federal Ballast Water Management regulations, which of the following procedures may be followed by an ocean vessel entering U.S. waters returning from an international voyage?

Correct Answer: Option B — Prior to entering U.S. waters, a vessel may use any Coast Guard approved alternative environmentally sound method of BWM.

U.S. Federal Ballast Water Management regulations under 33 CFR permit arriving international vessels to discharge ballast if they utilize a Coast Guard-approved alternative environmentally sound method, complying with strict biological treatment and management standards.