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 D — Prior to entering U.S. waters, a vessel may use any Coast Guard approved alternative environmentally sound method of BWM.

33 CFR 151.2025 allows vessels to utilize a Coast Guard-approved Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) as an alternative to traditional exchange. These systems must meet stringent discharge standards for biological organisms, providing a more reliable and environmentally sound method than mid-ocean exchange for vessels operating in U.S. waters.