Marine Accident
In Japan, there were 1,798 vessel accidents in 2023, resulting in 59 fatalities or missing persons.
Pleasure boats accounted for the largest share of marine accidents, with 891 cases, representing approximately 50% of the total. Similarly, operational incapacitation was the most common type of accident, with 834 incidents, also comprising about 50% of all cases.
Personal Injury Accident
In 2023, a total of 2,378 people were involved in accidents resulting in injury, with 939 individuals either killed or reported missing.
One notable characteristic of these accidents is that 762 incidents occurred on beaches associated with marine leisure activities, accounting for approximately 30% of the total. Among the various activities, swimming was the most common cause of accidents, involving 250 individuals, followed closely by fishing, which involved 246 individuals. Together, these two activities accounted for roughly 70% of all accidents related to marine leisure activities.
what Japan Coast Guard have done
The Japan Coast Guard conducted rescue operations by deploying a total of 2,672 patrol vessels and 702 aircraft. The Japan Coast Guard not only deploys patrol vessels and aircraft but also sends specialists with advanced skills, such as the “Special Rescue Teams” and “Mobile Rescue Personnel.” They are fully committed to various activities, including rescuing lives and extinguishing fires.
Mobile Rescue Personnel
Their main task is to quickly rescue injured or ill individuals on ships and victims floating at sea through collaboration with helicopters. In addition to advanced skills for helicopter descent, about half of the team members are certified as emergency medical technicians. They are deployed at 10 air force bases nationwide.
Special Rescue Team
The Special Rescue Team is a group of specialists in maritime rescue who respond to complex maritime accidents that require advanced knowledge and skills, such as rescuing people trapped on vessels carrying hazardous materials that have caught fire or rescuing individuals stranded on grounded ships in rough seas. The team consists of 38 members and serves as the last line of defense in maritime rescue operations, deploying aircraft and other resources to respond to special maritime accidents across the country.
Future Outlook
In 2025, the Japan Coast Guard will strengthen cooperation with relevant organizations through training based on control guidelines, hosting the World Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference, and using new technologies with three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The goal is to establish an effective operational system. As a law enforcement agency, the Japan Coast Guard will continue to enhance maritime security, ensuring peace and prosperity on the seas while upholding the rule of law.
With the rapid advancements in technology, the Japan Coast Guard has been actively adopting new tools and systems. The “Ocean Guardian” UAVs have already been deployed for sea monitoring, and the fleet has been expanded to provide 24/7 surveillance for maritime safety.
To further advance these efforts, the Japan Coast Guard has introduced a role to promote the use of new technologies within the organization. This will help speed up the adoption of innovations and ensure their effective and efficient use in maintaining safety and preventing dangerous situations at sea.
As part of this initiative, the Japan Coast Guard is currently exploring the use of large UAVs for maritime safety operations. These UAVs are designed to bridge the gap between long-range drones, which have flight times exceeding 24 hours, and smaller UAVs used for inspecting facilities. They offer longer endurance and portability, making them ideal for early-stage sea rescues and checking route conditions.
In addition, to address emerging cybersecurity threats, the Japan Coast Guard has set up a Cybersecurity Response Office and is implementing new technologies such as satellite constellations, which integrate a large number of satellites to strengthen the security of satellite communications. These technologies introduce multiple satellite lines for redundancy and improve network resilience, ensuring communication systems are robust and secure.
Above information is sourced from the Annual Report of Japan Coast Guard in official website for 2023.
Meanwhile, in the field of maritime rescue, technologies like Intelligent Lifeguard, Remote Controlled Lifebuoy, Frog Thruster, and Intelligent Transportable Stretcher are worth considering for the Japan Coast Guard. These advanced devices can greatly improve rescue efficiency and enhance safety in challenging conditions. The Intelligent Lifeguard system can monitor sea conditions in real-time and make smart decisions, quickly identifying individuals in need of help. The Remote Controlled Lifebuoy allows rescuers to deliver a life-saving buoy to stranded individuals with pinpoint accuracy. The Frog Thruster provides powerful propulsion to help rescue vessels quickly reach distressed persons and escape dangerous situations. The Intelligent Transportable Stretcher ensures safe and comfortable transportation of injured individuals, allowing them to be swiftly moved to safety.
These innovative technologies not only improve rescue capabilities but also open up new possibilities for maritime safety, helping to boost response times and overall security at sea.
Moving forward, the Japan Coast Guard will continue to actively embrace new technologies, stay updated on the latest advancements, and incorporate these tools into both maritime safety and cybersecurity efforts.
