(2) Category of marine accident and disciplinary punishments/recommendations against examinees and persons concerned in marine accidents in the second instance
The 19 accidents upon which the High Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency pronounced judgment in 1998 comprised 14 collisions, two capsizings, and one case each of foundering, machinery failure, and fatalities and injuries.
The total number of examinees for judged cases was 34, of which 27 were subjected to disciplinary punishment, with four receiving a one-month suspension of duty and 25 receiving reprimands, while seven were acquitted. Recommendations were not made against any of the six designated persons concerned in the marine accidents in question.
Section 3 Marine Counselor System
1. Registration of marine counselors
The marine counselor system was established to protect the legal rights of examinees and designated persons concerned in marine accidents because they are usually unaccustomed to inquiry procedures and, therefore, often experience difficulties in arguing their own interests in the court of inquiry.
As a rule, marine counselors are selected from among people having certain specific qualifications who are registered with the High Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency.
People intending to become marine counselors must apply for registration with the High Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency, in line with the Regulations for the Registry of Marine Counselors. As of the end of June 1999, there were 1,144 registered marine counselors in Japan.
