I. The Situation Regarding Distress Occurrences and Rescues
1. The Situation Regarding Distress Occurrences
In 1995, ships requiring rescue numbered 1,754 vessels, representing an aggregate tonnage of 1,346,502 tons. This involved 8,565 victims in distress. Of these, 196 people died or are missing.
(1) The Situation Regarding Ships Requiring Rescue
Compared with the preceding year, the number of ships requiring rescue increased by 23. However, a study of annual fluctuations in numbers of ships requiring rescue from distress that excludes those rescues required because of large typhoons and abnormal weather conditions, reveals that 1,725 ships required rescue, which is an increase of 15 ships when compared with the preceding year.
(2) Situation Regarding Deaths and Missing Persons
The number of deaths or missing persons among ship's crew members requiring rescue numbered 196 persons, 2% of the total number of ship's crew members requiring rescue in 1995. This is 15 persons fewer than for the preceding year.
2. Situation Regarding Maritime Rescue
(1) Situation Regarding Rescuing Ships Requiring Aid
In 1995, of the 1,754 ships requiring aid, when the 224 that made it to port on their own are excluded, 1,257 ships were rescued. The year's rescue rate (percentage of the number of ships rescued in the total number of ships requiring aid, excluding those that make it to port on their own) was 82% (79% for 1994).
(2) Situation Regarding Saving Human Lives
In 1995, of the 8,565 persons on ships requiring aid, when the 2,445 who saved themselves on their own are excluded, 5,924 persons were rescued. The year's rescue rate (percentage of persons rescued in the total number of persons on ships requiring aid, excluding those who saved themselves on their own) was 97% (97% in 1994).
