Final answer:
Commercial ships in US waters must submit a Ballast Water Report (BWR) with details such as ship identification, transit, and ballast water history to comply with environmental regulations that aim to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Step-by-step explanation:
The information that must be included on a boat's capacity plate typically consists of the maximum number of passengers, the total weight capacity, and sometimes the maximum horsepower rating for outboard-powered boats. This requirement ensures that the boat is operated safely and within its designed capabilities to prevent accidents and overloading, which can be hazardous on water. However, the question seems to refer to regulations surrounding Ballast Water (BW) and its management for commercial shipping rather than recreational boats.
As per federal regulatory framework in the US, commercial ships are required to submit a Ballast Water Report (BWR) to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC). This report includes details such as ship identification, transit information including arrival, last, and next ports, and ballast water history comprising source and discharge locations, dates, and management methods. These measures are part of environmental regulations to prevent the spread of invasive species and are overseen by the US Coast Guard (USCG) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).