## 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 2011, 5,347 beacon groups are being managed.

In 2011, in order to prevent the collapse and switching off of beacons due to natural disasters such as typhoons, along with the installation of seismic reinforcement performance, for beacon facilities using a commercial power supply, a self-contained power source set up, such as solar power, has been carried out as much as possible.

## 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.

## 3 Ensuring Safe Operation of Boats and Ships

## Promotion 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 for unification by management executives to on-the-site workers as a whole. The country carried out the evaluation for transport safety management to 3,225 companies by the end of December 2012 to confirm the status of implementation.

## ☐ Strengthening of Supervision for Passenger Ship Operators

Targeting passenger ships and cargo ships, audits are carried out based on the Marine Transportation Law (1949, Act 187), and Coastal Shipping Law (1952, Act 151), and efforts have been made to improve auditing methods and enhance the system, while aiming to strengthen it.

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

## ☐ Promotion of Safety Measures for Pleasure Boats

In the Japan Coast Guard, through all kinds of opportunities of the implementation of maritime accident prevention seminars and ship visiting guidance, along with promoting the spread of maritime accident prevention principles, in addition to performing support for the volunteer activities of the maritime safety trainers and private organizations of the Small Vessels Safety Association, for there are many accidents such as marine accident collision or overturns, effective maritime disaster prevention activities in cooperation with relevant organizations, including the guidance field are promoted.

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.