Hydrographic survey vessels engage in hydrographic surveys, continental shelf studies, weather observations, earthquake prediction related surveys, and other such activities. The Agency deploys a total of 13 hydrographic survey vessels: 5 large and medium hydrographic survey vessels and 8 small hydrographic survey vessels.
c. Vessels Engaging in Aids to Navigation Operations
Vessels engaging in aids to navigation related operations evaluate the performance of navigational aids, install and replace lighted buoys, inspect and repair lighted buoys, visual aids to navigation, and other aids to navigation, and perform other necessary activities. The Agency deploys a total of 71 aids to navigation related vessels: 1 aids to navigation evaluation vessel, 4 buoy tenders, and 66 aids to navigation tenders.
(2) State of Aircraft
Aircraft have excellent mobility and surveillance capabilities. Using these capabilities, they engage in activities to maintain maritime safety, ensure the safety of maritime traffic, rescue people in maritime distress, prevent maritime disasters, prevent marine pollution, etc. As of the end of FY 1995, the Agency stationed a total of 70 aircraft: 26 airplanes and 44 helicopters, at its 14 Air Stations and nine Maritime Safety Offices throughout Japan. (Refer to Figure 2-10-2.)
2. Communications
JMSA carries out communications related to maritime safety with ships navigating the waters surrounding Japan, and transmits instructions, orders, reports, and other operational communications within its own organization. These communications activities involve disaster related communications, the issuing of navigational warnings and maritime weather forecasts and warnings, communications related to position reports, port entry and departure, quarantine, and other procedures, traffic advisory communications with large ships, and other related communications.
In addition. JMSA has established and begun operating the COSPAS-SARSAT system, NAVTEX transmission stations, medium and short-wave coast radio stations, and Japanese language NAVTEX transmission stations, to accommodate the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) competently.
Furthermore, it is continuing its efforts from the previous fiscal year to study the creation of new communications systems required to properly implement increasingly complex and
