The IMRF has 113 members from 54 countries around the world. 

Our member organisations might be large or small, newly formed or long established. Some members are charities, others are private or public agencies, supporting organisations or industries.

We’ve talked to new member the Japan Association of Marine Safety to find out more about their work and the organisation.

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The Japan Association of Marine Safety (JAMS) was established in 1958. 

Mr Kiyoshi Ushijima, President of the Association, explains that it was established to contribute to the safe navigation of marine vessels and the prevention of marine pollution.

As a result, the Association conducts research and shares the information and findings with industry, governments and any other relevant organisations.

The National SAR Authority is the Japan Coast Guard, and while JAMS is a subsidiary organisation of the Japan Coast Guard, it does not engage in SAR activities itself.

The JAMS staff in the London office attend many international maritime/ocean related conferences, including those of the International Maritime Organization where they support the Japanese delegation.

They gather important information from international organizations, governments, academics and industries on a wide range of maritime and ocean issues, which is then translated into Japanese and distributed to a wide range of Japanese readers in the form of LRO (London Research Office) news.

The team based in the JAMS Singapore Office conducts studies and research on the movement of vessels passing through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore Strait, gathering information and sharing news with all authorities and water users accordingly.

The JAMS Toyama Office supports the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) in Toyama, which is one of the implementation headquarters of the Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP), a plan with four participating countries—Japan, China, South Korea and Russia—formulated to protect the environment and manage resources in marine and coastal areas in enclosed coastal seas.

JAMS has conducted extensive research into marine accidents, looking at navigational safety measures for large cruise ships and new types of LNG (liquefied natural gas) carriers.

Their research has investigated problems with ballast water and the harmful planktons contained in it and examines environmental conservation in the Sea of Japan.

Last but not least, the organization also provides patrol vessels and small patrol boats to improve maritime safety and security in Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands.

Mr Kiyoshi Ushijima says: “As an organisation with many decades of history of promoting marine safety, we are pleased to join the IMRF, and look forward to gathering more knowledge and information about search and rescue which will influence our wider research activities. After all, the IMRF membership are all working towards the same goal of increasing maritime safety, wherever we are located.”

Find out more here on the JAMS Website: http://www.nikkaibo.or.jp