2. Strengthening the System for Rescues by Patrol Vessels. Craft and Aircraft
From the past, JMSA has been using its patrol vessels and craft to patrol sea areas where there is much marine leisure activity, in order to execute rescues quickly. Nevertheless, it is striving to improve and strengthen its rescue system for saving lives in coastal areas where the possibility of accidents is especially high. Taking into consideration the times of the year when and the sea areas where there is much marine leisure activity, JMSA deploys its patrol vessels and craft as efficiently as possible, as well as makes the most of the speediness and search, airlift rescue, and other capabilities of using helicopters.
3. Improving the System for Obtaining Distress Information
Because of the spread of the use of mobile telephones at sea, since FY 1988 JMSA has successively standardized the telephone numbers of its Maritime Safety Offices, etc., to the uniform and easily remembered "local area code - 4999" (which can be read as a pun for "urgent emergency").
Furthermore, as a result of the employment of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), a distress and safety communications system using satellite and other technology for the purpose of executing quick and precise search and rescue activities, it will be possible for land-based stations to determine the site, etc., of distress, if small ships are equipped with satellite Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacons (Satellite EPIRBs).
4. Creating Private Maritime Rescue Systems
JMSA is instructing the Japan Lifeboat Enactment, which has 470 rescue stations and substations in coastal areas, to systematically promote efforts such as the construction of new rescue stations, etc., stocking of rescue equipment, and strengthening of its coordination with local public bodies.
V. Providing Information for Safe Marine Leisure
To safely and pleasantly enjoy marine leisure activities, such as pleasure boating and shoreline fishing, it is extremely important to be informed in advance of the weather, oceanographic, ship traffic and other conditions of the sea area concerned or to be navigated, in order to prevent accidents.
In addition to weather advisories for ships (refer to Section III of Chapter 8). JMSA, through its "Umi no Sodanshitsu" (Marine Information Office), broadly provides the general public with information on ocean and tidal currents, tide levels, ocean depths, etc., thereby contributing to the safety of marine leisure activities, such as pleasure boating, shore fishing, clamming and scuba diving. This JMSA office also responds to all inquiries, presented in
