In 1995, there were 108 shipboard fires. By type of ship, fishing vessels continued to be responsible for the largest number, 57 cases, representing 53% of the total.
The trend of the number of these accidents has been generally constant in recent years, with about 100 fires occurring annually.
2. Measures to Remove Spilled Oil
(1) Establishment of a System for the Removal of Spilled Oil
When an oil spill accident occurs, the party responsible, such as the owner of the ship that discharged the oil, is obligated to remove the oil. JMSA directs and advises the party that caused the accident, the Maritime Disaster Prevention Center, and other parties carrying out prevention and cleanup operations. In addition, when the party that caused the accident cannot cope with the problem adequately, the Agency itself devises measures to keep damages to a minimum.
Furthermore, in FY 1995, JMSA organized the National Strike Team, composed of experts with specialized knowledge and skills in oil spill removal. This team is deployed promptly when an oil spill occurs anywhere in Japan, including within Tokyo Bay. JMSA strives in this way to respond correctly to maritime disaster.
To accompany the ratification of the "International Convention on Oil Pollution, Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, 1990" (OPRC Convention), Japan amended parts of its Marine Pollution Prevention Law in May 1995. The revised law includes a new requirement that from January 1996, parties who have oil handling facilities beyond a specified scale also must prepare and keep on hand a manual covering emergency measures against oil pollution.
It is for this reason that JMSA is working to strengthen oil spill removal readiness through efforts such as providing appropriate instruction regarding keeping manuals covering emergency measures against oil pollution on hand, as well as successively preparing an Oil Spill Removal Plan for each sea area nationwide, as it has already done for Tokyo Bay and other important sea areas.
(2) Preparation of Equipment, Materials, etc., for the Removal of Spilled Oil
JMSA stores equipment, materials, etc., for the removal of spilled oil at all its major offices and stations throughout the nation, to properly respond to oil spill accidents. In addition, JMSA is promoting oil spill removal readiness by instructing the owners of tankers, etc., and parties who have oil storage facilities beyond a specified scale to prepare the proper equipment, materials, etc., for the removal of oil spills in accordance with the Marine Pollution Prevention Law.
