California Code of Regulations
Title 2 - Administration
Division 3 - State Property Operations
Chapter 1 - State Lands Commission
Article 4.6 - Ballast Water Regulations for Vessels Arriving at California Ports or Places After Departing from Ports or Places Within the Pacific Coast Region
Section 2281 - Safety of Ballasting Operations

(1) The master, operator, or person in charge of a vessel is not required by this provision to conduct a ballast water management practice, including exchange, if the master determines that the practice would threaten the safety of the vessel, its crew, or its passengers because of adverse weather, vessel design limitations, equipment failure, or any other extraordinary conditions.

(2) If a determination described in subsection (b)(1) is made, the master, operator, or person in charge of the vessel shall take all feasible measures, based on the best available technologies economically achievable, that do not compromise the safety of the vessel to minimize the discharge of ballast water containing nonindigenous species into the waters of the state, or waters that may impact the waters of the state.