Final answer:
Non-wartime hazards for ships include biological invasions through aquatic nonindigenous species and ballast water management issues, as well as hull biofouling. These factors can damage maritime environments and introduce invasive species, posing a less expected but significant threat to ship safety and ecological balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
During non-wartime activities, biological invasions and ballast water management in ships can be equally dangerous but less expected in terms of safety of the ship and operating environment. Ships often carry organisms in their ballast water, which can lead to the introduction of aquatic nonindigenous species (NIS) when this water is discharged in different ports. Moreover, hull biofouling can be problematic due to marine organisms attaching to the underside of ships, potentially damaging equipment or introducing invasive species to new environments. Environmental degradation and marine safety are also impacted by shipwrecks and container ships' practices around ballast water. For instance, container ships may manage ballast water by internal transfers to avoid discharges or by sourcing ballast water from open oceans rather than coastal waters.