## 2 Current Maritime Traffic Safety Measures

## 2 -1 Maritime environment enhancements

## - Maintenance of traffic safety facilities

In accordance with the Priority Plan for Social Infrastructure Development, projects were carried out to improve the water way designated to be developed and preserved, to maintain ports and harbors, and also to enhance the earthquake resistance of ports and harbors. Under the Long-term Development Plan for Fishing Harbors and Fisheries, which was newly introduced for the first time in fiscal year 2007, infrastructure improvements were made to facilities around fishing harbors, to promote the greater safety for fishing vessels.

## 2 -2 Maritime safety campaigns

## - Spreading the principle of prevention

In order to prevent maritime accidents, it is important to spread and raise the awareness of maritime affairs related parties such as ship operators, and of marine leisure lovers about the prevention of maritime accidents, and they also need to gain knowledge about and acquire skills in the prevention of maritime accidents. Therefore, by visiting ships and through maritime accidents prevention seminars, they were encouraged to know well the laws related to maritime affairs and to operate vessels safely. In addition, the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters implemented safety campaigns tailored to the characteristics and needs of the respective regions, such as prevention of accidents resulting from typhoons, accidents during seasons of heavy fog, and accidents due to falling asleep while the self-steering system is in operation.

## 2 -3 Ensuring Safe Operation

## - Enhancement of the inspection of safety management

Inspections for passenger ships or cargo ships are performed on the basis of the Marine Transportation Law and the Coastal Shipping Law. Improvements in inspection method and enhancement of the entire system were thus carried out.

## - Implementation of the transport safety management system

Establishment of a unified security management system from top management to site employees in operators was promoted. The “Transport Safety Management System” that evaluates the safety management system of operators was introduced by the government in October 2006 and continuous efforts have been made to spread the knowledge about the system. Moreover, the transport safety management evaluation was officially started in the District Transport Bureau from the fiscal year 2007 and it has been implemented in 244 companies from October 2006 to the end of March 2008.

## 2 -4 Augmentation of safety measures for small vessels, etc

## Promotion of safety measures for pleasure boats

The Japan Coast Guard provides in-depth guidance to acquire meteorological and oceanographic information and to comply with the laws and regulations related to maritime affairs through a variety of endeavors, including visiting vessels in ports to provide guidance to the crews, and hosting maritime accident prevention seminars. Likewise, the police engaged in a number of water safety efforts that concentrated on ports and other areas of heavy vessel traffic, popular swimming beaches, and waters frequented by marine leisure sport enthusiasts. The efforts involved providing safety guidance from police boats, patrolling with support from police aircrafts, and collaborating with community organizations and relevant organizations. Maritime safety was promoted through maintenance of the marine leisure environment, safety guidance to marine leisure providers, and also to raise the safety awareness of marine leisure users.