rescues in 1956 and up until the end of 1995. JMSA has airlift-rescued 2,371 persons.
6. Situation Regarding Transporting Emergency Patients, etc.
JMSA carries out emergency transport of patients, doctors and medical supplies using its patrol vessels, craft and aircraft, as required, when there is an emergency patient on a ship at sea, remote island or other such isolated location. In 1995, it transported 262 emergency patients and was involved in 72 cases of doctors transported for emergency reasons.
II. Maritime Search and Rescue System
1. Information Gathering System
JMSA maintains a system of continuous radio watches, 24 hours a day, on distress frequencies at its 26 coast radio stations and 24 direction-finding stations and on its patrol vessels and craft on active duty at sea, and determines the direction of the radio waves transmitted, in order to carry out prompt and appropriate maritime search and rescue. In addition, JMSA operates COSPAS-SARSAT ground segment facilities, around the clock, to receive distress information from ships and aircraft equipped with satellite EPIRBs to accommodate the employment of the GMDSS.
Furthermore, using the Japanese Ship Reporting System (JASREP; refer to Section II of Chapter 9), JMSA works to obtain ship position information and other data from ships navigating sea areas far from shore.
2. Improving the Japanese Ship Reporting System
A large number of ships should participate in order to employ the Japanese Ship Reporting System effectively. It is for this reason that JMSA conducts a "JASREP Participation Promotional Campaign" regularly every year. In addition. JMSA works to encourage participation by holding explanatory sessions for persons involved in maritime affairs and fisheries, having its patrol vessels and craft instruct visiting ships, distributing pamphlets to disseminate information, and having JASREP information printed in maritime publications. In 1995, a total of 26,929 vessels participated in JASREP, and 119,838 reports were received.
3. System for Quick Response to Maritime Distress
JMSA maintains 24-hour watches at its JMSA branch offices, air stations, special rescue stations, radio stations, regional JMSA headquarters, and the JMSA Tokyo headquarters, to be ready to respond immediately to any distress situation that may occur. It also employs
