In response to the sinking accident of a sightseeing boat off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has compiled 66 safety measures for passenger ships, such as strengthening penalties and checking hatch covers before departure.
At the national committee to consider safety measures for passenger ships, which was set up in response to the sinking accident of a tourist boat off the coast of Shiretoko Peninsula, a draft summary was presented based on the discussions so far, and was approved.
According to the report, safety measures consist of 66 items in 7 fields, including "strengthening the safety management system of business operators," "improving the quality of seafarers," and "strengthening ship safety standards."
Specifically, this month, the National Transportation Safety Board announced the establishment of an examination system for operation managers, the introduction of education and training, the exclusion of mobile phones as communication equipment, and the strengthening of penalties. In response to the release of a report stating that seawater flowed in from a hatch that had a problem with the ▽, it was also included in the confirmation of the hatch cover before departure.
In addition, it is said that the inspection method will be changed as the confirmation of the hatch cover by the Japan Small Ship Inspection Organization = JCI, which inspects as a national agency, was not sufficient.
The implementation schedule for these plans has also been presented,
and in addition to making the installation of improved life rafts obligatory in principle by
FY2024, it is also said that a testing system for flight managers will be established by FY2025. .
On the other hand, a report by the Japan Transport Safety Board pointed out that if there were no holes in the bulkheads at the bottom of the ship, the ship could have avoided sinking. We will set it up and make a decision by the end of March next year.
Details of national security measures
The purpose of this safety measure is to prevent accidents by eliminating operators with low safety awareness and improving the qualifications of seafarers at the stage when operators enter the market.
We will also strengthen safety standards for ships to reduce damage in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
There are a total of 66 safety measures in 7 areas.
[1. Strengthening the safety management system of business operators]
In the sinking accident of a sightseeing boat, the "operation manager" who makes decisions such as departure was not at the office on the day, and the president who was appointed was not working. Despite having little experience, it has become clear that there were problems with safety management, such as false notifications to the government.
For this reason, a test system for operation managers will be established and responsibilities will be clarified
. In principle, it is prohibited for the captain of the inside to serve concurrently.
In addition,
▽ it is prohibited to act on behalf of unqualified people, and if necessary, multiple flight managers will be appointed and asked to take turns.
[2. Improving the qualifications of seafarers]
We will establish requirements for captains, such as tightening the license for commercial operations.
We also request that pre-departure inspections, including confirmation that hatch covers are securely closed, be carried out.
For new seafarers on small passenger ships, training including entering and leaving the port to evacuate in case of emergency was also included.
[3. Strengthening of safety standards for ships]
Passenger ships sailing in waters where the water temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius will be required to install life rafts.
In addition, based on the fact that mobile phones with areas where radio waves cannot reach were recognized as communication equipment on ships by the national government's ship inspection, mobile phones were excluded from legal wireless equipment, and the introduction of business-use wireless equipment was promoted. To do.
[4. Strengthening of audits and punishment]
In addition to strengthening penalties, we will review the administrative punishment system by introducing a point system for violations and suspension of use of vessels.
In addition, in order to focus our audits on businesses with a high risk of legal violations or accidents, we have set up contact points at transport bureaus in each region to receive information from users and employees that may pose problems with safe operation. I'm here.
[5. Improving the effectiveness of ship inspections]
Japan Small Craft Inspection Organization = JCI will conduct comprehensive inspections and corrections of inspection methods and strengthen supervision.
In addition, during the inspection, government officials will be present at the site at any time to confirm.
[6. Expanding the provision of safety information]
Although the operating company of "KAZU 1" received "administrative guidance" for multiple violations of regulations, it was not announced.
Businesses that have received "administrative dispositions" such as suspension of business or cancellation of licenses have been announced, but cases that have received "administrative guidance" that do not lead to disposition are also included, and the disclosure period has been shortened to two. extended from 1 year to 5 years.
[7. Strengthening user protection]
We will raise the limit of passenger accident liability insurance and review the obligation to keep a passenger list.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Saito "Creating a system to implement the proposal"
Regarding the compilation of safety measures, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Saito said at the committee meeting, "Ensuring transport safety is a major premise of the passenger ship business, but this accident has resulted in the loss of irreplaceable lives. I take this very seriously, and am determined to never let such a tragic accident happen again.
In addition, Professor Emeritus Hirotaka Yamauchi of Hitotsubashi University, who serves as the chairman of the national review committee, said after the meeting, "By proceeding with discussions with the idea of taking measures from where we can, we have been able to improve these measures and legal revisions. I think I was able to connect it," he said.