## Chapter 2 Current Maritime Traffic Safety Measures

## 1 Improvement of Maritime Traffic Environment

## ○ Improvement of Traffic Safety Facilities

In order to improve the security and operational efficiency of maritime traffic, improvement is being implemented for beacons that correspond to changes in the maritime traffic environment such as improving the maintenance of ports and ocean routes, and accelerating ship traffic. As of the end of 2010, 5,369 beacon groups are being managed.

In 2010, the improvement and strengthening of traffic control/information provision system and prevention of maritime accidents in congested water areas that applied new information technology for starting AIS (Automatic Identification System) in the Osaka Bay Traffic Advisory Service Center and augmentation of existing beacons in Muroran Port, and installation of 723 LED (light-emitting diode) light sources were implemented.

## 2 Dissemination of Knowledge Regarding Maritime Transport Safety

## ☐ Spreading of the Principle of Prevention

In order to prevent maritime accidents, it is important to raise the awareness of maritime accident prevention in maritime participants, marine leisure lovers, and each citizen. Therefore, compliance with maritime laws and enforcement of safe operation have been instructed through opportunities such as maritime accident prevention seminars and guidance visits to ships.

Also, newsletters were issued with explanations of the summary and analysis results of accident/incident investigation reports that were publicized by the Japan Transport Safety Board, and were widely distributed to maritime participants.

In addition, for the purpose of preventing the recurrence of vessel accidents in the Kanmon Strait, an English version of the magazine for foreign seafarers, featuring similar accidents, was published.

## 3 Ensuring Safe Operation of Boats and Ships

## ☐ Strengthening of Supervision for Passenger Ship Operators

Targeting passenger ships and cargo ships, audits are carried out based on the Marine Transportation Law and Coastal Shipping Law, and efforts have been made to improve auditing methods and enhance the system.

## ○ Implementation of the Transport Safety Management System

Based on the “Transport Safety Management System” introduced in October 2006, a safety management system was established by the operators which was taken action by management executives to on-the-site workers as a whole. The country carried out the evaluation for transport safety management to 2,181 companies by the end of December 2010 to confirm the status of implementation.

## 4 Augmentation of Safety Measures for Small Vessels, etc

## ☐ Promotion of Safety Measures for Pleasure Boats

Through guidance visits to ships and maritime accident prevention seminars, the Japan Coast Guard has implemented detailed guidance and edification catering to the proper procurement of weather and hydrographic information as well as the compliance of leisure to maritime laws; all corresponding with leisure purposes.

The National Police Agency has focused on water areas with heavy maritime traffic outside ports, seaside resorts frequented by many swimming visitors, and water areas with active marine leisure sports. In addition to carrying out safety guidance with police boats, efforts have been made to ensure water safety through patrols with the collaboration of police aircrafts, cooperation and collaboration with local and relative organizations, and by improving the marine leisure environment, instructing safety measures for marine leisure providers, and holding activities for marine leisure users to raise awareness of safety.