Choice Ballast Solutions (Choice), a provider of ballast water treatment planning, installation and compliance, has hired Debra DiCianna as Senior Compliance Engineer. DiCianna’s career in the maritime industry spans over 25 years with extensive experience in the compliance and operational issues of shipowners and the design/performance of ballast water management systems. In her role at Choice, DiCianna will be responsible for assisting clients, both shipowners and ballast water treatment manufacturers, in all matters concerning BWMS planning, installation and compliance.
DiCianna is a delegate for the United States (U.S.) at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and serves on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Ballast Water Tech Panel. During her tenure with the U.S. EPA, DiCianna studied the design and performance of BWM technologies and assisted in the development of water discharge regulations; recently working with them on the upcoming 2018 Vessel General Permit revisions.
Prior to joining Choice Ballast Solutions, DiCianna was an Environmental Consultant and has provided services to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Military Sealift Command. She was the Senior Principal Environmental Engineer to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) responsible for assessing performance and failures of Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS), reviewing BWMS designs to ensure compliance with applicable environmental standards and regulations, and developing waste management solutions. DiCianna has Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.