On our third day in Tokyo, Japan September 12, 2006 at 1300 hours we visited the Maritime Disaster Prevention Centre (MDPC). For me it was like a home coming since this was where I had acquired some of my most valuable training two years ago. I was anxious to see if any of my old instructors were still there and to actually relive some the most memorable moments in my professional development.

　

 We were well received by the School Chief who started his briefing with a power point presentation giving us a detailed explanation of what the MDPC was all about. I was happy to see that the training was still the same and impressed to learn that a new course was being offered in search and rescue which deals with the detection of poisonous gas and wearing protective clothing for the crew of chemical tankers and passenger boats. In his presentation the Chief explained that that the school consisted of nine members, five of whom were from the Japan Coast Guard and four from the Shipping Industry. He also outlined the aim of the training as to implement disaster prevention measures relating to the prevention of marine pollution and marine disaster. This was achieved through two main areas of training namely tire fighting and oil spill control training.

　

 Then it was time for live action. We were out of the class room and on to the ferry which arrived at No.2 Bulwark after an exciting 20 minutes on choppy seas. This was the site of the fire fighting training facilities which for me were the fields that I had once played. However, once there it was no play but serious business as this is in fact a dangerous part of the training if not taken seriously. The instructors were on top of things as always and it was awesome to watch as the course in training actually fought fires in a realistically simulated scenario as there can be. The Saskawa fellows were all impressed and as for me it was "déjà vu" all over but still fascinated at the level of skill and concentration required.

　

 With minimum fuss or delay we were back on the ferry and making way to the MDPC. The fellows even had the motivation after such a spectacular display to sing the WMU song on the journey to shore. The visit was concluded with a tour of the various equipment including the booms and skimmers and other recovery items used in pollution control. We were also shown the other training facilities like the training pool which creates waves by computer control and the mock up shore lines which consisted of a sand beach, wave-proof blocks and a reef area.

　

 Then it was time to leave and just like that we were back on the bus and heading for the Hotel Villa Fontaine, Shiodome. It was like I'd left something behind and knew that I would perhaps never return again to it. But still it was a wonderful experience for us all and of course the invaluable training offered at the MDPC is absolutely necessary in all countries of the Sasakawa fellows.

　

 On September 12, after the visit to the Port and Airport research Institute, we headed our way directly to the Maritime Disaster Prevention Center.

　

 As we all know, to some extent, shipping industry is an adventure. Maritime risks come and go, yet never completely disappear. How to prevent disasters from happening, and if unfortunately, accidents do occur, how to limit the adverse consequences of the accident, that's one of the most important knowledge and skills seafarers and other relevant people are expected to master.

　

 For prevention of maritime disasters, the Japanese government has been pushing for the establishment of a system whereby the government and private sector can take joint action quickly in the event of a huge oil spill or a fire on a ship. It also recognizes the importance for training on implementing disaster prevention measures. That's the reason why Maritime Disaster Prevention Center (MDPC) was established. MDPC is now an independent administrative institution and is the only training center for maritime disaster prevention in Japan.

　

 The visit to MDPC Training Department left a deep impression on our mind, especially the fire-fighting training. MDPC has fire-fighting training facilities in No. 2 Bulwark, nearly centered in Tokyo Bay, and provides a practical and advanced fire-fighting training to ship crews and personnel in charge of safety and disaster prevention. The fire-fighting training programs are designed according to different situations, and different measures have to be used depending upon where, when and how fire accidents occur. We were told that the fire-fighting training we observed that day was only basic training, but it was very impressive, especially to some of us who have never had experience about fire-fighting. To my knowledge, this kind of training is very important to the seafarers and relevant personnel. It not only gives knowledge and skills to the trainees about fire-fighting, but also it teaches them how to cooperate and how to react psychologically in case of fire accidents, since teamwork and calmness are also equally important at such a situation.

　

 During the visit, we also had a chance to visit the oil spill cleaning facilities, and got to know the usage of specific equipment in controlling oil spill. MDPC launched Marine Oil Spill Control course in 1996 and provides trainees with essential information and training needed to effectively manage an oil spill response operation. Although all of us have heard of many oil spill accidents, we don't have much knowledge about how spilled oil are controlled and cleaned. The visit to MDPC enhanced our knowledge in this field.

　

 It was a fruitful day to all of us!

　

 On September 12, 2006 we depart from our hotel at 1:30 AM and travel to one of the independent administrative institute of Port and Airport Research Institute.

　

 Upon our arrival at 10:00 AM the institute provide us introduction about the institute and then invited us to watch a 30minute movie about the institute. Then after we went out from the hail to visit their research results.

　

 One of the guider took us along the sea and explained to us about different kinds of experiments conducted by the institute. Although my knowledge is limited about the things done by researcher's I understand from the explanation the institute is dedicated doing research about Marine Environment preservation and creation, Marine Disaster prevention and Marine exploitation.

　

 Last but not least I am very interested to see the research place and also I have seen the tsunami prevention and oil pollution prevention research done in the research center.

　

 On the 12^th of September, we got a great chance to visit the Port and Airport Research Institute. Thanks to PARI to get the surfing of the history, organization chart, framework of goals and research facilities via the "Introduction DYD of PARI".

　

 I significantly impressed start from the mission of the institute and I'm full of pride to the Institute for using the development of technology with wide applicability in the relevant areas of societies.

　

 Within the short visiting time, we had a valuable moment to learn the following research facilities:-

　

　

 Among the numerous main research facilities, I'm very interest in the Large Hydro-Geo Flume.

　

　

 This hydraulic model experiments are very useful for the prevention and forecasting of the current disaster such as Tsunami and other ocean destructive waves problems.

　

 The Intelligent Wave Basin for Maritime Environments is also performed as vital role to represents maritime conditions using waves and currents for the safety of maritime environment.

　

 Finally, I deeply appreciate to the PARI and I hope that I can get a chance to make some research at the Port and Airport Research Institute for the future and learn the global technologies.