Provisional Translation
| OTO No. | 525 | Classification | MOT-46 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of Acceptance | October 26, 1994 | Ministry/Agency Receiving Complaint | Economic Planning Agency |
| Responsible Ministries | Ministry of Transport | Related Laws | Ship Safety Law |
| Complainant | Domestic individual | Exporting Countries | USA |
| Subject | Inspection for small craft (Jet Skis) imported by individuals | ||
| Details of Measures | 1. Under the Ship Safety Law, the same technical standards are applied to vessels according to purpose and navigation area regardless the nationality of manufacturers and importers. This procedure also applies to individual importers or import agents. However, practical measures apply in the case of models of the same type as those already confirmed as conforming to technical standards. (1) If the vessel in question is confirmed as being of the same type as others which have already passed the vessel examination, it is not necessary to present construction blueprints or undergo engine durability testing. (2) Regarding hardness testing (drop test) for the vessel's hull, a sample is selected for testing if multiple vessels are being imported, and if a single vessel is being imported, testing is conducted on that vessel only. (3) The complainant was advised that information regarding testing standards and procedures is available at all branches of the Japan Craft Inspection Organization. Safety Regulations for small crafts, detailed regulations concerning those rules, and special standards for personal watercrafts are also sold there and are available to the general public, and if the complainant has any questions, they should contact the Organization. 2. Regarding testing facilities of the Japan Craft Inspection Organization (1) Thirteen branches of the Organization throughout the country have testing facilities, and testing equipment such as thickness gauges are available at all branches. (2) When imports of the same type are repeated, the necessary tests are conducted on one vessel undergoing testing for the first time, while sampling tests are done subsequently, in accordance with existing test results, quality control systems and so on. As a result of amendment to the Organization's rules on December 26, 1994, confirmation of strength may be carried out not only by the drop test but also by measuring thickness and measuring the weight of the entire vessel. The complainant was advised to contact the Organization for further information. 3. Official testing conducted at sea as part of overall testing, regardless of whether the vessel is a private import, may include either (1) presentation of structural and mechanical diagrams, strength calculations, test data and so on, and for vessels confirmed through preliminary testing as meeting technical standards, a brief official test at sea; or (2) when none of the documents mentioned in a) above are presented and when it cannot be confirmed that the vessel meets technical standards, the vessel undergoes a two-hour official test at sea to confirm safety. Since the testing method for personal watercraft types differs because of different test results, the complainant was also advised to specify the water bike model to be imported and to consult the Organization. |
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| Classification of Processing | D | Directions | 1. II-a 2. IV 3. II-a |
| Remarks | |||