(2) Cabinet Order for the Enforcement of the Maritime Traffic Safety Law (Cabinet Order No.5 of 1973 as amended through Cabinet Order No.176 of 1984)
(Boundaries Between Sea Areas Where Maritime Traffic Safety Law is Applicable and Other Sea Areas.)
Article 1.
Boundaries between the sea areas where the Maritime Traffic Safety Law (hereafter referred to as "the Law") is applicable under Article 1 Paragraph 2 (these sea areas will hereafter be referred to as "the applicable sea areas") and other sea areas (excluding those mentioned in each item of the paragraph) shall be as shown in the following table:
| Areas Where Applicable Sea Areas Are Located |
Boundaries Between Applicable Sea Areas and Other Sea Areas |
| Tokyo Wan |
A line drawn from Su-no-Saki Lighthouse (34゜58'19"N,139゜45'39"E) to Ken Saki Lighthouse (35゜08'17"N,139゜40'50"E) |
| Ise Wan |
A line drawn from O Yama Triangulation (34゜35'56"N,137゜08'58"E) to Ijika Lighthouse (34゜26'29"N,136゜55'36"E), a line drawn from Tatsuma Saki Lighthouse (34゜39'26"N,137゜04'23"E) to the southern tip of Saku Shima, and a line drawn thence to Hazu Misaki |
| Seto Naikai |
A line drawn from Kii Hino Misaki Lighthouse (33゜52'42" N,135゜03'50"E) to Gamoda Misaki Lighthouse (33゜49'50"N,134゜45'08"E) and a line drawn from Sada Misaki Lighthouse (33゜20'24"N,132゜01'E) to Seki Saki Lighthouse (33゜15'48"N, 131゜54'20"E) |
(Sea Areas Which Are Not Normally Navigated by Vessels Other Than Fishing Vessels)
Article 2.
The sea areas prescribed by the Cabinet Order under Article 1 Paragraph 2 item (4) of the Law shall be the sea areas which are included in those sea areas as mentioned in Annexed Table No.1 and which are other than those provided for in item (1) to item (3) inclusive of the paragraph.
(Traffic Routes)
Article 3.
The sea areas specified in the Cabinet Order referred to in Article 2 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall be the sea areas given in Annexed Table No.2.
(Vessels to be Engaged in Emergency Work)
Article 4.
A vessel to be engaged in emergency work, as provided for in the Cabinet Order referred to in Article 24 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall be a vessel designated by the Commander of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters who has jurisdiction over the address of the person who is to employ the vessel in carrying out any of the work enumerated below which requires urgent action, upon application submitted by the person:
(1) Providing of assistance in the case of fire-fighting, marine rescue or other operations requiring relief;
(2) Removal of obstacles to ships' traffic;
(3) Removal and prevention of marine pollution;
(4) Prevention or suppression of crimes;
(5) Investigation of crimes;
(6) Regulation of ships' traffic;
(7) Besides the work described in each of the preceding items, such other works as are specifically acknowledged by the Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard as necessery for maintaining public interests, such as protection of life and property, maintenance of public peace and order.
(Lights and Markings to be Exhibited by Vessel when Performing Emergency Work)
Article 5.
Any vessel designated by the Commander of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters as a vessel to be engaged in emergency work under the preceding Article, shall, when navigating or anchoring in accordance with the provitions of Article 24 Paragraph 1 of the Law, exhibit, where it can best be seen from all directions, a red light at night or a red marking in the daytime prescribed in the Ministry of LIT Ordinance.
(Sea Areas Where Vessels Under Oars, etc. Shall Carry Prescribed Lights)
Article 6.
The sea areas specified by the Cabinet Order referred to in Article 28 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall be those areas in the applicable sea areas, which are not traffic route.
(Sea Areas Adjacent to Traffic Routes)
Article 7.
The sea areas prescribed by the Cabinet Order referred to in Article 30 Paragraph 1 item (1) of the Law shall be the sea areas lying not more than 200 meters outside the side boundaries of a traffic route (in the case of Kurushima Kaikyo Traffic Route, the sea area lying on the side of Uma Shima shall be included), and the sea areas given in Annexed Table No.3.
(The Council provided for in the Cabinet Order)
Article 8.
The Council provided for in the Cabinet Order under Article 36 of the Law shall be the Maritime Safety and Seamen's Training.
Supplementary Provisions (Omitted)
Annexed Tables (Omitted)
(3) Regulations for the Enforcement of the Maritime Traffic Safety Law
(Ministry of Transport Ordinance No.9 of 1973 as amended through Ministry of Transport Ordinance No.86 of 2000)
Chapter I. General Provisions
(Definitions)
Article 1.
The terms used in this Ministerial Ordinance shall have the same meanings as those of the same terms used in the Maritime Traffic Safety Law (Law No.115 of 1972; heresafter referred to as "the Law").
2. The terms in the following items shall have such meanings as are defined in each of the items for the purpose of this Ministerial Ordinance:
(1) "all-round light", "short blast" or "prolonged blast" shall mean "all-round light", "short blast" or "prolonged blast" which are defined respectively in Article 21 Paragraph 6, Article 32 Paragraph 2 and Paragraph 3 of the Law for Preventing Collisions at Sea (Law No.62 of 1977).
(2) "ammunition", "high pressure gas", "inflammable liquid" or "organic peroxide" shall mean "ammunition", "high pressure gas", "inflammable liquid" or "organic peroxide" which are defined respectively in Article 2 item (1) of the Rules for the Carriage and Storage of Dangerous Goods in Ships (Ministry of LIT Ordinance No.30 of 1957).
(Vessels Mentioned in Article 2 Paragraph 2 tem (3) b of the Law)
Article 2.
Vessels specified by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance mentioned in Article 2 Paragraph 2 item (3) b of the Law shall be those which are engaged in construction or other similar operations with permission obtained under Article 30 Paragraph 1 of the Law (if such permission is not required by Paragraph 8 of the Article, then permission obtained under Article 31 Paragraph 1 of the Port Regulations Law (Law No.174 of 1948) (including cases where the same provisions shall be applicable mutatis mutandis under Article 37-3 of the same Law)) and for which it is not easy to keep out of the way of an approaching vessel because of the nature of their construction or other similar operations.
2. Exhibition of the lights or markings under Article 2 Paragraph 2 Item (3) b of the Law shall be that of lights under item (1) at night and shapes under item (2) in the daytime as follows:
(1) Two green all-round lights visible at a distance of at least 2 miles which are placed, where they can best be seen, in a vertical line not less than 2 meters apart (1 meter apart in the case of vessels of less than 20 meters in length);
(2) Three shapes of which the highest shall be a white diamond and the two lower shall be red balls placed, where they can best be seen, in a vertical line not less than 1.5 meters apart (in the case of vessels of 20 meters or more in length, each shape shall be not less than 0.6 meter in diameter).
Chapter II. Modes of Navigation
Section 1. General Steering and Sailing Rules in Traffic Routes
(Obligation to Navigate Traffic Routes)
Article 3.
When a vessel of 50 meters or more in length intends to navigate between Point A and Point B which are shown in the middle column of each item of Annexed Table No.1, the vessel shall navigate the sections of the traffic routes along the course of the route, which are shown in the right column of each item of the Table (in case the vessel intends to navigate between Point A and Point B in item (4), item (5), and item (12) to item (17) inclusive of the Table, this applies only when the vessel intends to navigate from Point A to the direction of Point B): Provided that this shall not apply to the case where a vessel which is to be engaged in oceanographic research or other work and which has been admitted by the Chief of the Coast Guard Office having jurisdiction over the sea area where the research or other work is conducted, as a vessel unavoidably navigate not in conformity with the modes of navigation prescribed in the main part of Article 4 of the Law intends to navigate, or to the case where the vessel falls under the proviso of the Article.
(Restrictions on Speed of Vessel)
Article 4.
The section of traffic routes prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in Article 5 of the Law, shall be as shown in the middle column of the following table for each traffic route mentioned in the left column of the table, and the speed of a vessel prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in the Article for the sections, shall be as shown in the right column of the table:
| Name of Traffic Route (T.R.) |
Section of Traffic Route |
Speed (in making way through the water; hererafter the same) |
| Uraga Suido T.R. |
All section of the traffic route |
12 knots |
| Naka-no-Se T.R. |
All section of the traffic route |
12 knots |
| Irago Suido T.R. |
All section of the traffic route |
12 knots |
| Bisan Seto East T.R. |
Section of the traffic route, between a line drawn at 353°from Ogi Shima Light House (34゜25'50"N,134゜03'48"E) and the boundary line of the western entrance of the traffic route |
12 knots |
| Bisan Seto North T.R. |
Section of the traffic route, between the boundary line of the eastern entrance of the traffic route and a line drawn from Jokenbo Hana on Hon Shima to the northeastern extremity of Usi Shima |
12 knots |
| Bisan Seto South T.R. |
Section of the traffic route, between a line drawn at 160 ゜from Zatome Hana on Usi Shima and the boundary line of the eastern entrance of the traffic route |
12 knots |
| Mizusima T.R. |
All section of the traffic route |
12 knot |
(Signalling in the Case of Overtaking Other Vessel)
Article 5.
The signals to be given under Article 6 of the Law shall, when a vessel intends to navigate on the starboard side of the other vessel, consist of one prolonged blast followed by one short blast on the whistle and when the vessel intends to navigate on the port side of the other vessel, consist of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts on the whistle.
(Indication of Destination)
Article 6.
The indication of destination under Article 7 of the Law shall be made by vessels other than those not equipped with a whistle and vessels other than those of less than 100 gross tons, which are specified in the left column of Annexed Table No.2, by means of the signals prescribed in the right column of the Table.
(Restrictions on Entering, Leaving or Crossing Traffic Routes)
Article 7.
The section of traffic routes as prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in Article 9 of the Law, shall be shown in the middle column of the following table for each traffic route mentioned in the left column of the Table, and navigation prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance of the Article as to the sections, shall be shown in the right column of the table:
| Name of Traffic Route (T.R.) |
Section of Traffic Route |
Navigation not permitted |
| Uraga Suido T.R. |
Section of the traffic route, between the two lines each drawn at 235゜, one from the northwestern extremity (35゜18'32"N,139゜44' 36"E) of Daini Kaiho and the other from a point 2,500 meters 145゜from the extremity. |
Entering the traffic route from outside of the route or going outside from the route (only in the case of crossing the central line of the traffic route in the section in the middle column) or crossing the traffic route. |
| Bisan Seto East T.R. |
(1) Section of the Taffic route, between the eastern boundary of Uko East Traffic Route in Bisan Seto East T.R. and its northward extension and a line at a distance of 1,000 meters eastward from the boundary and its northward extension.
(2) Section of the traffic route, between the western boundary of Uko East T.R. and a line at a distance of 500 meters westward of the boundary.
(3) Section of the traffic route, between the eastern boundary of Uko West T.R. in Bisan Seto East T.R. and its northward extension and a line at a distance of 500 meters eastward of the boundary and its extension.
(4) Section of the traffic route, between the western boundary of Uko West T.R. and a line at a distance of 1,000 meters westward of the boundary. |
Crossing the traffic route. |
| Kurushima Kaikyo T. R . |
Section of the traffic route, between a line drawn from Jizo Hana on O Shima to Kurushima-shiroishi Light (34゜06'13"N,132゜59'09"E) and a line drawn at 265゜from the Taka Yama summit (34゜07'46"N,133゜01'41"E) on O Shima. |
Entering the traffic route from outside of the route or going out-side from the route, or crossing the traffic route (only in the case of crossing the line drawn at 139゜ from Uzuhana Light (34゜06'33"N,132゜59'37"E) or the line drawn at 10゜from Su-no-Saki (34゜07'10"N,132゜59'44"E) on Uma Shima. |
Section 2. Steering and Sailing Rules in Each Traffic Route
(Irago Suido Traffic Route)
Article 8.
The length of a vessel to be prescribed by the Ministry of Transport Ordinance referred to in Article 14 Paragraph 3 of the Law shall be 130 meters.
2. The method of signalling in a case where the Commandant's direction under Article 14 Paragraph 3 of the Law is given by means of signal, shall be as shown in the left column of the following table with the meanings of signals as given in the right column of the table
| Method of signalling |
Meaning of signal |
| Name and location of signal station |
In the daytime |
At night |
| Irago Suido T.R. Control Signal Station (34゜34' 35"N,137゜01'10"E) |
One white flash every two seconds or a black cone apex upwards |
One white flash every two seconds |
Vessels of 130 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate southeastward through Irago Suido T.R. are required to wait outside of the traffic route. |
| One red flash every two seconds or a black square |
One red flash every two seconds |
Vessels of 130 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate northwestward through lrago Suido T.R. are required to wait outside of the traffic route. |
3. In case of the preceding paragraph, the method of signalling, when the method of signalling under the paragraph cannot be used owing to a trouble of the signalling apparatus, etc., shall be as shown in the left column of the following table with the meanings of signals as given in the right column of the table:
| Method of signalling |
Meaning of signal |
| Location where signals are given by vessels of Japan Coast Guard |
In the daytime |
At night |
| In the vicinity of 3,540 meters 340゜from Kami Shima Light (34゜32'44"N,136゜59'21"E) |
International Code Flag L under First Substitute |
Morse Codes RZS by signal light |
Vessels of 130 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate southeastward through lrago Suido T.R. are required to wait outside of the traffic route. |
| In the vicinity of point 3,500 meters 160゜from Irago Misaki Light (34゜34'34"N,137゜01'09"E) |
International Code Flag L under Second Substitute |
Morse Codes RZN by signal light |
Vessels of 130 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate northwestward through Irago Suido T.R. are required to wait outside of the traffic route. |
| Remarks: There are cases where light signals may be used in the daytime due to weather conditions or other reasons. |
(Mizushima Traffic Route)
Article 9.
The length of a vessel, to be prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in Article 14 Paragraph 3 of the Law, applicable mutatis mutandis under Article 18 Paragraph 4 of the Law, shall be 70 meters.
2. The method of signalling in case where the Commandant's direction under Article 14 Paragraph 3 of the Law, applicable mutatis mutandis under Article 18 Paragraph 4, is given by means of signal, shall be as shown in the left column of the following table with the meaning of signals as given in the right column of the table:
3. In case of the preceding paragraph, the method of signalling, when the method of signalling under the paragraph cannot be used owing to a trouble of the signalling aparatus, etc., shall be as shown in the left column of the following table with the meanings of signals as given in the right column of the table:
| Method of signalling |
Meaning of signal |
| Name and location of signal station |
In the daytime |
At night |
| Mizushima T.R.Nishinozaki Control Signal Station (34゜25'57"N,133゜47'22"E) |
By signal boards facing 120, 180 and 290 degrees |
|
| Flashing of the letter "N" |
Vessels of 70 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate southward through Mizushima T.R. are required to wait outside or the traffic route. |
| Flashing of the letter "S" |
Vessels of 70 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate northward through Mizushima T.R. are required to wait outside of the traffic route. |
| Mizushima T.R.Mitsugoshima Control Signal Station (34゜22'07"N,133゜49'33"E and 34゜22'06"N,133゜49'31"E) |
By signal boards facing 55, 115, 225 and 300 degrees |
|
| Flashing of the letter "N" |
Vessels of 70 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate southward through Mizushima T.R. are required to wait outside of the traffic route. |
| Flashing of the letter "S" |
Vessels of 70 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate northward through Mizushima T.R. are required to wait outside of the traffic route. |
| Method of signalling |
Meaning of Signal |
| Location where signals are given by JCG vessels |
In the daytime |
At night
|
| In the vicinity of the point 1,400 meters 97゜ from Huto-Nozi Shima Triangulation Point (34゜26'41"N,133゜45'21"E) |
International Code Flag L under First Substitute |
Morse Codes RZS by signal light |
Vessels of 70 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate southward through Mizushima T. R. are required to wait outside of the traffic route. |
| International Code Flag L under Second Substitute |
Morse Codes RZN by signal light |
Vessels of 70 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate northward through Mizushima T. R. are required to wait outside of the traffic route. |
| In the vicinity of the point 1,500 meters 230゜ from Nabeshima Light (34゜22'45"N,133゜49'35"E) |
International Code Flag L under First Substitute |
Morse Codes RZS by signal light |
Vessels of 70 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate southward through Mizushima T. R. are required to wait outside of the traffic route. |
| International Code Flag L under Second Substitute |
Morse Codes RZN by signal light |
Vessels of 70 meters or more in length (excluding huge vessels) intending to navigate northward through Mizushima T. R. are required to wait outside of the traffic route. |
| Remarks : There are cases where light signals may be used in the daytime, due to weather conditions or other reasons. |
(Kurushima Kaikyo Traffic Route)
Article 10.
The direction of tidal current to be indicated by the Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard under Article 20 Paragraph 2 of the Law shall be such directions as will be indicated by means of tidal signal at Kurushima Nagasenohana Tidal Current Signal Station (34゜06'23"N,133゜02'10"E), Nakato Shima Tidal Current Signal Station (34゜06'53"N,133゜00'15"E), Ohama Tidal Current Signal Station (34゜05'12"N,132゜59'38"E), Tsu Shima Tidal Current Signal Station (34゜08'51"N,132゜59'38"E) or Kurushima Osumibana Tidal Current Signal Station (34゜08'13"N,132゜56' 37"E).
2. Signals to be given in such case as mentioned in each of the following items, in accordance with the provisions of Article 21 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall be such signals as prescribed in each of the same items:
(1) In the case mentioned in Article 21 Paragraph 1 item(1) of the Law (only such cases as related to Naka Suido):
One prolonged blast on the whistle at frequent intervals from the time when the vessel has lchinose Hana on Tsu Shima or Ryujin Shima on her beam until she is finally past and clear Naka Suido;
(2) In the case mentioned in Article 21 Paragraph 1 item (1) of the Law (only such cases as related to Nishi Suido):
Two prolonged blasts on the whistle at frequent intervals from the time when the vessel has lchinose Hana on Tsu Shima or Ryujin Shima on her beam until she is finally past and clear Nishi Suido;
(3) In the case mentioned in Article 21 Paragraph 1 item (2) of the Law:
Three prolonged blasts on the whistle at frequent intervals from the time when the vessel has Kuru Shima or Ryujin Shima on her beam until she is finally past and clear Nishi Suido.
3. The sea areas to be prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in Article 21 Paragraph 2 of the Law shall be those areas (excluding the area of Kurushima Kaikyo Traffic Route) which are surrounded by the line drawn from the extremity (34゜03'22"N,133゜01'22"E) of the right bank at the estuary of Soja Kawa to Take-no-Hana on O Shima, by the lines drawn from Ago-no-Hana on Oge Shima to Kajitori-no-Hana and to Miya-no-Hana on O Shima, respectively, and by shorelines.
Section 3. Special Provisions for Modes of Navigation of Particular Vessels in Traffic Routes
(Vessels Carrying Dangerous Goods)
Article 11.
The dangerous goods to be specified by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in Article 22 item (2) of the Law shall be as shown in each of the following items and the gross tonnage to be prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance in connection with the dangerous goods shall be as given in each of the items:
(1) Gunpowder and gunpowder equivalence (explosives of 80 tons or more; gunpower and gunpowder equivalence in the following table converted to explosives of 80 tons or more. Items in the middle column are converted to tonnage of explosives using the figure in the right column.): 300 gross tons.
(2) High pressure gas of inflammability loaded in bulk:1,000 gross tons
(3) Inflammable liquids loaded in bulk:1,000 gross tons
(4) Organic peroxides (only those whose amount is 200 tons or more):300 gross tons
| Gunpowder and gunpowder equivalence |
Quantity to be converted into one ton of explosives |
| Gunpowder |
2 tons |
| Fire articles (including ammunition, hereafter the same in this table) |
Ball cartridges or blank cartridges |
2,000,000 rounds |
| Fuses or fire fuses |
50,000 pieces |
| Percussion caps for rifles |
10,000,000 pieces |
| Industrial percussion caps or electric percussion caps |
1,000,000 pieces |
| Signal percussion caps |
250,000 pieces |
| Detonating fuses |
50 kilometers |
| Other materials |
whose raw material is gunpowder 2 tons
whose raw material is explosive 1ton |
| Materials, which have explosive ability other than explosives, gunpowders and fire articles. |
2 tons |
2. The gunpowder, gunpowder equivalence, high pressure gases, inflammable liquids and organic peroxides as mentioned in the preceding Paragraph shall not include those materials which are carried on board a vessel for its own use.
3. Any vessel of 1,000 gross tons or more which has carried on board such dangerous goods as mentioned in Paragraph 1 item (2) or item (3) above and which, after unloading the dangerous goods, has not been confirmed by the master of the vessel that a gas check has already been conducted and there is no danger of fire or explosion shall be deemed as a vessel carrying dangerous goods, for the purpose of the Law.
(Vessels Towing or Pushing Long Objects)
Article 12.
The distance to be prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in Article 22 item (3) of the Law shall be 200 meters.
(Matters to be Notified in connection with Navigation of Huge Vessels or Other Particular Vessels)
Article 13.
The matters to be prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance re-ferred to in Article 22 of the Law shall be those which are mentioned in each of the following items:
(1) Name and gross tonnage of the vessel;
(2) Section of the traffic route that the vessel intends to navigate, the estimated time of entering the traffic route from outside of the traffic route (hereafter referred to as "estimated time of entering the traffic route") and the estimated time of going outside of the traffic route;
(3) Call sign or call name of the vessel if the vessel has her own ship radio station (specified in Article 6 Paragraph 3 of the Radio Law (Law No.131 of 1950); hereafter the same);
(4) Methods of communication with the Japan Coast Guard if the vessel has no ship radio station;
(5) Port of destination if destination has been fixed;
(6) Length and draft of the vessel if it is a huge vessel;
(7) Type, and amount for each type, of dangerous goods (mentioned in each item of Article 11; hereafter the same) if it is a vessel carrying dangerous goods;
(8) If the vessel is towing or pushing a long object (as mentioned in Article 22 Paragraph 3 of the Law; hereafter the same), the distance between the bow of the towing vessel and the rear edge of the object being towed or the distance between the stern of the pushing vessel and the fore edge of the object being pushed; and description of the object.
(Method of Notification by Huge Vessels or Other Particular Vessels Regarding Navigation)
Article 14.
The master of a huge vessel, a vessel of 25,000 gross tons or more carrying dangerous goods which is liquefied gas, or a vessel towing or pushing a long object shall give an advance report on the matters prescribed in item (1) to item (5) inclusive of the preceding Article; in addition. the master of a huge vessel shall give an advance report on the matters prescribed in item (6) of the Article, the master of a vessel carrying dangerous goods shall give an advance report on the matters prescribed in item (7) of the Article and the master of a vessel towing or pushing a long object shall give an advance report on the matters prescribed in item (8) of the Article; and all such report shall be given by noon of the day before the date on which the vessel intends to enter the traffic route from outside of the traffic route (hereafter referred to as "the estimated date of entering the traffic route"); and any change in the matters previously reported shall be reported three hours before the estimated time of entering the traffic route; and any subsequent change shall immediately be reported.
2. The master of a vessel carrying dangerous goods (excluding a vessel classified as a huge vessel or a vessel of 25,000 gross tons or more carrying dangerous cargo which is liquefied gas or a vessel towing or pushing a long object) shall give an advance report on the matters prescribed in item (1) to item (5) inclusive and item (7); not later than three hours prior to the estimated time of entering the traffic route; and any change in the matters reported shall be reported immediately.
3. 1n case there has arisen urgent necessity of navigating the traffic route or in case the Commander of a Regional Coast Guard Headquarters or the Chief of a Traffic Advisory Service Center listed in each item of the next Paragraph for the respective traffic routes, considers it unavoidable that the advance report prescribed in the preceding two paragraphs could not be given, it shall be sufficient if the master of a huge vessel or other particular vessel gives an advance report on the matters specified in each item of the preceding Article, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs.
4. The report prescribed in each of the preceding paragraphs shall be given to the Commander of a Regional Coast Guard Headquarters or the Chief of a Traffic Advisory Service Center mentioned in each of the following items for each traffic route to be navigated, in accordance with the methods prescribed in Notification by the Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard:
(1) Uraga Suido Traffic Route or Naka-no-Se Traffic Route
Tokyo Wan Traffic Advisory Service Center
(2) Irago Suido Traffic Route
4th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters (in Nagoya)
(3) Akashi Kaikyo Traffic Route
Osaka Wan Traffic Advisory Service Center
(4) Bisan Seto East Traffic Route, Uko East Traffic Route,
Uko West Traffic Route, Bisan Seto North Traffic Route,
Bisan Seto South Traffic Route or Mizushima Traffic Route
Bisan Seto Traffic Advisory Service Center
(5) Kurushima Kaikyo Traffic Route
Kurushima Kaikyo Traffic Advisory Service Center
(Instructions to be Given to Huge Vessels or Other Particular Vessels)
Article 15.
The matters to be included in the instructions relating to the operation of huge vessels or other particular vessels, under Article 23 of the Law shall be those listed in the following items:
(1) Change in the estimated time of entering the traffic routes;
(2) Speed of a vessel in the traffic routes;
(3) Matters related to restrictions on navigation in the traffic routes under limited visibility;
(4) As for a vessel having her own ship radio station, maintenance of communications with the Japan Coast Guard by radio from the time three hours prior to the estimated time of entering the traffic route until the time of going outside of the traffic route;
(5) As for a huge vessel, maintenance of sufficient under keel clearance;
(6) As for a huge vessel of 250 meters or more in length or a huge vessel carrying dangerous goods, arrangement of vessels for guarding the course;
(7) As for a huge vessel or a vessel carrying dangerous goods, arrangement of vessels for assisting the navigation;
(8) As for a vessel of 50,000 gross tons or more carrying dangerous goods (or a vessel of 25,000 gross tons or more if the dangerous goods is liquefied gas), arrangement of vessels equipped with fire fighting facilities;
(9) As for a vessel towing or pushing a long object, arrangement of vessels for guarding the sides;
(10) Besides those enumerated above, such other matters as are necessary for the operation of a huge vessel or other particular vessel.
2. The Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard shall establish standards in the contents of instruction concerning matters to be instructed under item (6), item (8) or item (9) of the preceding paragraph and issue Notification of the standards.
(Application for Designation as Vessel to be Engaged in Emergency Work)
Article 16.
Any person desiring to have a vessel designated under Article 4 of the Cabinet Order for the Enforcement of the Maritime Traffic Safety Law (Cabinet Order No.5 of 1973; hereafter referred to as "the Cabinet Order") shall forward to the Commander of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters having jurisdiction over the address of the person (hereafter referred to in this Section as "the Commander of the competent regional headquarters") a written application in the form appended hereto.
2. The Commander of the competent regional headquarters may, when an application under Article 4 of the Cabinet Order has been made and when he deems it necessary, require the applicant to present a Ship Nationality Certificate, Ship Inspection Certificate and other papers testifying to matters related to the vessels concerned.
(Issuance and Keeping of Emergency Ship Designation Certificate)
Article 17.
The designation under Article 4 of the Cabinet Order will be made by prescribing the scope of emergency work and by issuing an Emergency Ship Designation Certificate stating such scope of emergency work and those matters enumerated in the following items:
(1) Identifying number and date of issuance of the Emergency Ship Designation Certificate;
(2) Identifying number, name. gross tonnage and port of registry of the vessel concerned;
(3) Name and address of the person who uses the vessel; or name of a representative if such person is a juridical person.
2. Any person who uses (hereafter referred to as "user of an Emergency Ship") the vessel designated under Article 4 of the Cabinet Order (hereafter referred to as "Emergency Ship") shall keep the Emergency Ship Designation Certificate issued under the preceding Paragraph in the Emergency Ship concerned.
(Re-writing of the Emergency Ship Designation Certificate)
Article 18.
The user of an Emergency Ship shall, when there has been any change in the matters mentioned in Paragraph 1 item (2) and item (3) of the preceding Article, apply for re-writing of his certificate by forwarding without delay to the Commander of the competent regional headquarters (in case his address has changed to a place in another coast guard region, to the Commander of the Regional Headquarters), a written application stating the change, together with the Emergency Ship Designation Certificate.
(Reissue of Emergency Ship Designation Certificate)
Article 19.
The user of an Emergency Ship may, when he has lost or damaged his Emergency Ship Designation Certificate, apply to the Commander of the competent regional headquarters for reissue of the Certificate.
2. The Commander of the competent regional headquarters will, when he considers the application made under the preceding Paragraph justifiable, reissue the Emergency Ship Designation Certificate.
(Return of Emergency Ship Designation Certificate)
Article 20.
The user of an Emergency Ship shall, in any of the following cases, return the Emergency Ship Designation Certificate possessed by him (or found by him in the case mentioned in item (2) below) without delay to the Commander of the competent regional headquarters:
(1) When the Emergency Ship will no longer be used as a vessel to carry out the emergency work stated in the Emergency Ship Designation Certificate;
(2) When the Emergency Ship Designation Certificate that has been lost is found after the Certificate was reissued to replace the lost certificate.
(Lights and Markings to be Used in Performing Emergency Work)
Article 21.
The red light to be prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in Article 5 of the Cabinet Order shall be a red all-round light of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles and flashing at regular intervals between 180 and 200 times per minute.
2. The red marking to be prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in Article 5 of the Cabinet Order shall be a red cone apex upward whose base is 0.6 meter or more in diameter and whose height is 0.5 meter or more.
Section 4. Lights, Etc.
(Lights and Markings of Huge Vessels and Vessels Carrying Dangerous Goods)
Article 22.
Exhibition of the lights or markings under Article 27 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall be made in accordance with the classification of vessels in the left column of the following table, by exhibiting where they can best be seen, the lights mentioned in the middle column at night and the markings mentioned in the right column of the table in the daytime.
| Classification of vessel |
Lights |
Markings |
| Huge vessels |
A green all-round light to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles and flashing at regular intervals between 180 and 200 times per minute. |
Two black cylinders with a diameter of 0.6 meter or more and a height twice as long as the diameter which are placed in a vertical line not less than 1.5 meters apart (with regard to a huge vessel which exhibits a cylinder in accordance with Article 28 of the Law for Preventing Collisions at Sea, these shapes shall not be placed with the cylinder in a vertical line.) |
| Vessels carrying dangerous goods |
A red all-round light to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles and flashing at regular intervals between 120 and 140 per minute. |
International Code Flag B under First Substitute. |
(Lights and Markings of Objects being Pushed)
Article 23.
The distance to be prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in Article 29 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall be 50 meters.
2. The light to be prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in Article 29 Paragraph 2 of the Law shall be a green light and a red light as shown in the left column of the following table (in a case where it is impracticable to exhibit these lights on an object being pushed, a combined lantern showing a green light and a red light as shown in the left column of the table) and each of these lights shall satisfy the requirements mentioned in the right column of the table:
| Lights |
Requirements |
| A green light |
1. To be placed at the starboard edge of the object.
2. To be so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112゜30'.
3. To be so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 22゜30' abaft the beam on the starboard side of such object.
4. To be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles. |
| A red light |
1. To be placed at the port edge of the object.
2. To be so constructed as to throw an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112゜ 30'.
3. To be so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 22゜ 30' abaft the beam on the port side of the object.
4. To be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles. |
| A combined lantern showing a green light and a red light |
1. To be placed at the central portion of the object.
2. To be so fixed as to throw the green light and the red light from right ahead to 22゜ 30' abaft the beam on the starboard side or the port side, respectively, of the object.
3 . To be visible at a distance of at least 1 mile. |
Chapter III. Prevention of Danger
(Work for Which Permission is not Required)
Article 24.
The work to be prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in the proviso of Article 30 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall be such work as is enumerated in each of the following items:
(1) Work necessary as an emergency measure, such as setting up a provisional structure to avoid an imminent danger to human life or vessels;
(2) Work necessary for conducting fishing, such as laying of fishing gear;
(3) Work in the air space whose height from the Nearly Highest High Water exceeds 65 meters;
(4) Work under the ground, whose depth under the sea bed exceeds 5 meters.
Article 25.
Any person desiring to obtain permission of Article 30 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall forward to the Commander of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters through the Chief of Coast Guard Office having jurisdiction over the area where the proposed work is to be carried out, two copies of a written application stating the matters enumerated in the following items:
(1) Name and address of the person or name of a representative in the case of a juridical person;
(2) Type of the proposed work;
(3) Purpose of the proposed work;
(4) Location related to the proposed work;
(5) Method of carrying out such work;
(6) Description of steps to be taken to prevent interference with ships' traffic, which might be caused by the proposed work;
(7) Estimated date of commencement and completion of the proposed work;
(8) As for the person mentioned in Article 30 Paragraph 1 item (1), those matters which are listed in the following sub-items:
a. Name and address of the field representative;
b. Description of a vessel to be used in carrying out the proposed work.
(9) As for the person mentioned in Article 30 Paragraph 1 item (2) of the Law, description of the structure related to the proposed work.
2. The written application of the preceding Paragraph shall be accompanied by a plan showing the location of the proposed work, together with a ground plan, cross-section and structural plan related to the proposed work.
(Work for Which Report is not Required)
Article 26.
The work to be prescribed by the Ministry of LIT Ordinance referred to in the proviso of Article 31 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall be such work as mentioned in the following items:
(1) Work mentioned in each item of Article 24;
(2) Work necessary for strengthening or developing the basis of fishing production such as establishing fish reefs;
(3) Work to establish a gas structure (applicable only to the submarine pipes and their accessary equipments) for gas work under the Gas Enterprise Law (Law No.51 of 1954) and to establish an electric structure (applicable only to the electric circuits, water pipes and equipments attached to these) for electric work under the Electric Enterprise Law (Law No.170 of 1964).
(Reporting)
Article 27.
Any person intending to make report under Article 31 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall forward to the Commander of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters through the Chief of the Coast Guard Office or the Chief of the Maritime Guard and Rescue Office which has jurisdiction over the area related to the work for which such report is made, two copies of written report stating the matters enumerated in the following items:
(1) Matters mentioned in Article 25 Paragraph 1 item (1) to item (5) inclusive and item (7) ;
(2) Description of steps to be taken to prevent interference with ships' traffic, which might be caused by the proposed work;
(3) As for the person mentioned in Article 31 Paragraph 1 item (1) of the Law, matters mentioned in Article 25 Paragraph 1 item (8);
(4) As for the person mentioned in Article 31 Paragraph 1 item (2) of the Law, matters mentioned in Article 25 Paragraph 1 item (9);
(5) As for a person intending to set up a mooring facility, a plan for using such mooring facility.
2. The written report of the preceding Paragraph shall be accompanied by a plan showing the location of the proposed work, together with a ground plan, cross-section and sturctural plan of the structure related to the proposed work, and if such structure relates to a mooring facility, then a document stating the basis of preparing a plan for use of such mooring facility.
(Steps to be Taken in Case of Marine Accident)
Article 28.
The emergency steps under Article 33 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall be those enumerated in the following items, which shall be effective and appropriate to prevent danger to ships' traffic:
(1) To take necessary steps to shift a vessel having difficulty in navigation due to the marine accident, to a sea area where she may not present a threatening danger to other ships' traffic, as well as to secure the vessel so that she may not move;
(2) To set up the lighted buoy as a marker to indicate the location of the wreck from the marine accident at no less than one place mentioned in the left column of the following table, each of which shall satisfy the requirements mentioned in the right column of the table respectively;
(3) To take necessary steps to prevent the cargo of any vessel involved in the marine accident from being dropped into the sea or dispersed on the sea surface.
| Place |
Requirements |
| North side of the location of the wreck |
1. A top mark (which is the shapes to be set up at the top of the lighted buoy ; hereafter the same) is to be two black cones in a vertical line with their apexes upwards one above the other.
2. A buoy body (which is the part above the surface of the sea except the topmark and the light ; hereafter the same) is to be colored black on the upper half and yellow on the lower half.
3. A light is to be a white all-round light flashing in succession.
4. A cycle of flashing is to be 1.2 seconds. |
| East side of the location of the wreck |
1. A topmark is to be two black cones in a vertical line with their apexes of the upper one upwards and the lower one downwards one above the other.
2. A buoy body is to be colored black on the upper part, yellow on the middle part and black on the lower part.
3. A light is a white all-round light flashing 3-times in succession in a cycle of 10 seconds.
4. A cycle of flashing is 1.2 seconds. |
| South side of the location of the wreck |
1. A topmark is to be two black cones in a vertical line with their apexes downwards one above the other.
2. A buoy body is to be colored yellow on the upper half and black on the lower half.
3. A light is a white all-round light lighting 2 seconds after flashing 6 times in succession in a cycle of 15 seconds.
4. A cycle of flashing is 1.2 seconds. |
| West side of the location of the wreck |
1. A topmark is to be two black cones in a vertical line with their apexes together one above the other.
2. A buoy body is to be colored yellow on the upper part, black on the middle part and yellow on the lower part.
3. A light is a white all-round light flashing 9 times in succession in a cycle of 15 seconds.
4. A cycle of flashing is 1.2 seconds. |
Article 29.
The notification under Article 33 Paragraph 1 of the Law shall be given to the Chief of the Coast Guard Office or the Chief of the Maritime Guard and Rescue Office which has jurisdiction over the sea area where such marine accident occurred.
Chapter IV. Miscellaneous Provisions
(Establishment of Aids to Navigation to Indicate Traffic Routes, etc.)
Article 30.
The aids to navigation to be set up in accordance with the provisions of Article 35 of the Law, shall be established in such locations as will meet the standards mentioned in the following items and are suitable to ensure the safety of ships' traffic:
(1) In the case of Uraga Suido Traffic Route and Bisan Seto East Traffic Route, the aids to navigation shall be on the side boundaries or central lines of these traffic routes;
(2) In the case of Naka-no-Se Traffic Route, Irago Suido Traffic Route, Uko East Traffic Route, Uko West Traffic Route, Bisan Seto North Traffic Route, Bisan Seto South Traffic Route, Mizushima Traffic Route and Kurushima Kaikyo Traffic Route, the aids to navigation shall be on the side boundaries of these traffic routes;
(3) In the case of Akashi Kaikyo Traffic Route, the aids to navigation shall be on the central line of the traffic route;
(4) In the sections of Traffic routes referred to in Article 5 and Article 9 of the Law, the aids to navigation shall be either on the boundaries or their extension of the sections.
(Dissemination of Information)
Article 31.
Whenever the Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard places restrictions on navigation of ships or establishes special modes of navigation in accordance with the provisions of Article 26 of the Law, he shall have the fact known to all concerned by notices to mariners or other appropriate means.
2. The Commander of a Regional Coast Guard Headquarters or the Chief of a Traffic Advisory Service Center as mentioned in each item of Article 14 Paragraph 4 shall, whenever he receives report (only to such report as related to huge vessels) under Paragraph 1 or Paragraph 3 of the Article, have the contents of the report known to all concerned.
(Delegation of Authority)
Article 32.
The authority of the Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard under Article 14 Paragraph 3 (including cases where the provisions shall be applicable mutatis mutandis under Article 18 Paragraph 4 of the Law), Article 22 and Article 23 of the Law shall be delegated to the Commander of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters who has jurisdiction over the area where the traffic route is located.
2. The authority of the Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard under Article 30 Paragraph 1 to Paragraph 5 inclusive and Paragraph 7, Article 31 Paragraph 1 to Paragraph 5 inclusive and Article 32 of the Law, shall be delegated to the Commander of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters who has jurisdiction over the place related to the work concerned.
3. The authority of the Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard under Article 33 of the Law shall be delegated to the Commander of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters who has jurisdiction over the area where the marine accident has occurred.
4. The Commander of a Regional Coast Guard Headquarters will delegate the authority mentioned in each of the following items, to the Chief of the Coast Guard Office, the Chief of the Maritime Guard and Rescue Office or the Chief of the Traffic Advisory Service as mentioned in each of the items;
(1) Authority under Article 14 Paragraph 3 of the Law, applicable mutatis mutandis under Article 18 Paragraph 4 of the Law:
Bisan Seto Traffic Advisory Service Center
(2) Authority under Article 22 and Article 23 of the Law:
a. Tokyo Wan Traffic Advisory Service Center (only to the case related to Uraga Suido Traffic Route and Naka-no-Se Traffic Route);
b. Osaka Wan Traffic Advisory Service Center (only to the case related to Akashi Kaikyo Traffic Route):
c. Bisan Seto Traffic Advisory Service Center (only to the case related to Bisan Seto East Traffic Route, Uko East Traffic Route, Uko West Traffic Route, Bisan Seto North Traffic Route, Bisan Seto South Traffic Route and Mizushima Traffic Route);
d. Kurushima Kaikyo Traffic Advisory Service Center (only to the case related to Kurushima Kaikyo Traffic Route);
(3) Authority under Article 33 of the Law:
The Coast Guard Office or the Maritime Guard and Rescue Office which has jurisdiction over the area where the marine accident has occurred.
Supplementary Provisions (Omitted)
Annexed Tables (Omitted)
