Following the sinking accident of a tourist ship off the Shiretoko Peninsula, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism made an intermediate summary of safety measures for small vessels, reviewed the ship inspections of countries whose effectiveness was questioned within the fiscal year, and conducted national audits. I decided to introduce an unannounced format.
The National Committee, which considers safety measures for small vessels installed in response to the sinking accident of a sightseeing vessel off the Shiretoko Peninsula, presented and approved an interim report based on the discussions so far.
Twelve items were included as "measures to be implemented promptly within the fiscal year", and of these, mobile phones with areas where radio waves do not reach were recognized as communication equipment for ships by the national ship inspection. We have decided to change or abolish all inadequate methods by the end of September.
In addition, even though the tour boat operator caused two accidents last year and the government conducted special audits and guidance, the accident could not be prevented, so by the end of next month, the company will be audited and checked. It means introducing unannounced and remote formats.
In addition, as a mechanism to prevent businesses with insufficient safety measures from continuing their business, the direction of measures for 31 items, such as a system to renew the license of the tour boat business at regular intervals, has been decided, and the law has been revised. We decided to promptly implement the contents.
The National Commission will finalize these measures by the end of the year.