ERMA FIRST Ballast Water Treatment System
- Admin
- Nov 21
- 4 min read
ERMA FIRST Ballast Water Treatment System
Modern vessels cannot just pump ballast water in and out anymore. Under the IMO Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, ships must treat ballast water so they don’t spread invasive marine organisms from one region to another.
This post gives a simple overview for deck officers, engineers and ratings. Detailed operation and maintenance are covered in the manuals attached below.
1. What Is ERMA FIRST BWTS?
ERMA FIRST is a Greek manufacturer specializing in ballast water treatment systems. Their main product line, ERMA FIRST FIT BWTS, is a filtration + electrolysis system designed to comply with the IMO D-2 standard and USCG requirements.
In simple words:
It filters incoming ballast water to remove bigger organisms and sediment.
It then disinfects the water by producing a disinfectant (free chlorine / sodium hypochlorite) through electrolysis.
During discharge, it neutralizes remaining oxidant before water goes overboard, if required.
ERMA FIRST systems are approved for use in all water types (fresh, brackish, sea) and across a wide capacity range, so they can be fitted on almost any ship type.
2. Why Do We Need It On Board?
For the crew, ERMA FIRST is not just another box in the engine room. It directly affects:
Regulatory compliance
IMO BWM Convention – D-2 standard for organisms in discharged ballast water.
USCG ballast water regulations for ships calling US ports.
Port State Control inspectors routinely ask:
Is the system approved (certificates on board)?
Is the Operation, Maintenance & Safety Manual (OMSM) available and followed?
Are crew familiar with normal operation and alarms?
Are BWTS entries correctly kept in the Ballast Water Record Book?
Environmental responsibility - Every proper BWTS operation means fewer invasive species transported and a smaller ecological footprint of the ship.
For Master, Chief Officer and Chief Engineer this is now a critical system, same level as cargo handling equipment, steering gear, etc.
3. How ERMA FIRST Works – Simple Overview
3.1 Ballasting (Pump-In)
Sea chest → Filter
Incoming ballast water passes through an automatic backwashing filter (about 40 μm).
Larger organisms and sediment are removed; backwash returns solids overboard near the sea chest.
Filter → Electrolysis (EC) Cell
Part of the water is diverted to the electrolysis cell.
Using the natural chlorides in seawater, the cell produces sodium hypochlorite (free chlorine) at low concentration, which is then mixed back into the main ballast line.
Treated water → Ballast tanks
Disinfectant works inside the tank and kills or inactivates remaining organisms during the holding period.
Crew view: You see the system starting with the ballast pump, filter DP rising and backwashing, EC cell power demand, and TRO values on the panel.
3.2 Holding
While water stays in the tanks, the disinfectant continues to act.
No extra crew action – but the maximum TRO in the tanks must remain within system limits and company procedures.
3.3 Deballasting (Pump-Out)
During deballasting, ERMA FIRST FIT operates in a bypass mode:
No filtration, no new electrolysis
The system does not re-filter or re-treat water.
It mainly monitors TRO (Total Residual Oxidant) in the discharge line.
Neutralization (if required)
If TRO is above the discharge limit, the system injects neutralizing chemical (commonly sodium bisulfite) to bring TRO down to required level before overboard.
Overboard discharge
Once TRO is within limits, ballast water goes overboard in compliance with IMO/USCG standards.
You must ensure:
Correct neutralizing chemical is available and prepared,
TRO readings are within limits,
Any alarms are investigated and logged.
4. Key Features and Advantages
From the shipboard point of view, ERMA FIRST offers:
Regulatory approvals
IMO type approval;
USCG type approval, including operations across different salinities and temperatures.
Operational flexibility
Works in fresh, brackish and seawater, and in low temperature waters.
No impractical holding times; designed to operate “anywhere, anytime” compared to some other systems.
Modular design
Different filter and cell arrangements for newbuilds and retrofits, wide capacity range suitable for most vessel sizes.
Relatively simple crew interface
Central HMI, clear status indications, alarms, and straightforward start/stop sequences.
5. What Deck and Engine Crew Must Know
This blog is only an introduction. On board, every officer and key rating should:
Know the layout
Sea chest, filter, EC cell, neutralization unit, TRO sensors, sampling points, local panels.
Understand the basic sequence
What happens during ballasting and deballasting; when system must be in “Auto”, when in “Bypass”, and when it can be safely “Off”.
Follow the OMSM
The Operation, Maintenance & Safety Manual from ERMA FIRST is part of the type approval and must be on board and followed.
Maintain and inspect
Filter backwashing and DP,
EC cell condition,
TRO sensor calibration,
Chemical stocks and dosing equipment,
Cooling, ventilation, electrical panels.
Record everything
Ballast operations logged in Ballast Water Record Book with BWTS data, as required by IMO and flag.
Important: The manuals and this blog do not replace your company SMS, maker’s training, or official ERMA FIRST instructions. Always follow your vessel’s procedures and safety rules.
7. Final Thoughts
ERMA FIRST BWTS is now a standard part of the ship’s critical equipment. If you sail with such a system, you are expected by PSC, flag and company to understand its purpose, basic working principle and your responsibilities.
Use the attached manuals to refresh your knowledge before arrival in sensitive or high-control areas (US, Canada, EU, Australia, etc.), and include BWTS in drills, handovers and familiarization for all joining officers.
Safe ballasting – safe oceans.
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