Regulation for joint use of the Oceanographic Research Vessel "MIRAI"
Regulation No.24,1998
Oct. 29, 1998Chapter 1, General Provisions
(Objective) Article 1. This regulation provides basic matters regarding the joint use of the oceanographic research vessel "MIRAI" (hereinafter referred to as "MIRAI") in order to conduct the appropriate joint use of "MIRAI". Additionally, the operations of "MIRAI" shall be regulated by the "Operational regulations for the Marine Research Vessels and Oceanographic Research Vessel" (Regulation No. 20 of 1985)
(Definitions)
Article 2. Terms referred to in this regulation are as defined in the clauses following:
(1) Utilization plan: The basic policies regarding the purposes for the utilization of "MIRAI" and of her functions/roles, policies regarding the procedures for drawing up an operational plan of "MIRAI", public advertisement of scientific research on board, handling of data obtained, and publication of the achievements etc. as stipulated by the Investigating Committee for Operation System of "MIRAI" (Secretariat: Science and Technology Agency) on the 16th of September, 1997.
(2) Joint utilization type operation: The research cruise to be conducted based on the "Long-term Observational Research Plan"(hereinafter referred to as "Long-Term Plan") and the Middle-term Observational Research Plan"(hereinafter referred to as "Middle- term Plan") drawn up by the Operations Investigating Committee of "MIRAI", where the research themes and boarding researchers selected from public advertisements.
(3) Operations Investigating Committee of "MIRAI": A Committee established in the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (hereinafter referred to as "the Center") comprised of knowledge- able people including researchers in related fields appointed to select the subjects of observational studies to be conducted through the operations of "MIRAI".
(4) Boarding researchers: The researchers going on board the "MIRAI" following the selection of their research themes by the above mentioned committee, and the researchers etc. recognized as necessary to conduct their studies jointly with the selected researchers to board the "MIRAI".
Chapter 2, Basic Policy
( Long-term Plans)
Article 3. The Operations Investigating Committee of "MIRAI" shall determine Long-Term Plans for observational study subjects to be conducted through the operations of "MIRAI" during the coming decade based on the utilization plan to be approved by the board of directors' meeting. In principle, the Long-term Plan is subject for revision every five years.
( Middle-term Plans)
Article 4. The Operations Investigating Committee of "MIRAI" shall determine the operations plan of "MIRAI" as the Middle-term Plan for the coming three years period based on the Long-term Plan, to be approved by the board of directors' meeting. Also, the main research themes, ocean areas, and observation items etc. should be included in this plan and reviewed annually.
(Public selection of research themes and boarding researchers)
Article 5. The Center, in order to promote observational research plans recognized as making contributions to furthering the international studies, will select research themes and boarding researchers for each leg of operations utilizing "MIRAI" from domestic and foreign applications indicated in the following year's operational plans of "MIRAI".
(Applicant Qualifications)
Article 6. The Qualifications to apply for the research themes and boarding researchers are as provided in the following clauses:
(1)Researchers and other personnel with domestic research institutions, universities, or other organizations.
(2)Overseas applications must be submitted jointly with a domestic researcher as representative having the status of a domestic researcher.
(Submission of Applications)
Article 7. The applicants for research themes and boarding researchers should fill in necessary items on the application form for research themes to be determined separately, to be submitted to the Center within the period of public advertisement.
(Final Selection of research themes and boarding researchers)
Article 8. The Operations Investigation Committee of "MIRAI" shall consider the contributions to the main research themes indicated in the operations plan for the following fiscal year based on the Long-term Plan, and select research themes and boarding researchers based on standards for selection to be stipulated separately, then to be approved by the board of directors' meeting.
The researchers who will conduct the study jointly with the researcher in charge of selected research themes and the person considered as contributing to the Long-term Plan shall be selected as the boarding researcher following the previous clause, to be approved by the board of directors meeting.
For creative research themes which do not fall in the scope of the Long-term or Middle-term Plan, the Committee shall select as research themes and boarding researchers when they were deemed to be excellent, to be approved by the board of directors' meeting.
(Notification of adoption or rejection)
Article 9. The center should notify the applicant in writing as to the adoption or rejection of their research theme application.
(Charge for expenses )
Article 10. The charge for boarding expenses on board the "MIRAI" shall be settled according to the following clauses:
(1)The Center can bear the expenses for boarding researchers as necessary according to the clerical management procedures for the joint use of "MIRAI".
(2) Boarding personnel with purposes of reporting or to be involved in activities other than above-mentioned tasks should bear the necessary expenses such as costs for embarkation and disembarkation and meals etc. while on board.(Requests and enforcement for obtaining data)
Article 11. The Center shall accept requests for data routinely collected by "MIRAI" or collected from research following selected research themes together with applications for research themes.
The Operations Investigating Committee of "MIRAI" shall select for approval by the board of directors' meeting, request for data having considered the feasibility based on consideration of the technical safety and possibility.
(Publication of observation data and samples )
Article 12. The data obtained through the use of "MIRAI" should be released to the public on a timely basis based on the " Guidance for publication of observation data at the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center in order to be properly utilized by domestic and overseas searchers (organizations).
The samples obtained through the use of "MIRAI" shall be stored adequately by the Center in principle and the Center shall facilitate their use by domestic and overseas researchers (institutes) within the possible ranges. (Ownership of data and samples obtained and handling of research results) Article 13. In principle, the data and samples obtained are under the ownership of the Center and researchers and other personnel involved in obtaining the data and samples are given priority to utilize these and other data or samples obtained from the same leg.
The handling of research results using data and samples
obtained through the use of "MIRAI" shall be disclosed in accordance with the " Guideline for disclosing observed data at the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center".
Chapter 3. Planning
(Roles and appointment of Chief Researcher and Chief Scientist)
Article 14. The Chief Researcher (staff personnel in charge of supervision of experiments and research works etc.) shall control all activities regarding research and study activities to be carried out under proper communications and coordination between the operating system and boarding researchers on "MIRAI" during each research leg. The Chief Researcher and the Acting Chief Researcher shall be appointed from the Center researchers, and approved by the board of directors' meeting.
The Chief Scientist shall coordinate the study activities during the research and study cruise and advise the Chief Researcher. The Chief Scientist can also be appointed from among the researchers both in the Center or external organizations, and approved by the board of directors' meeting.
The Chief Researcher can also conduct the works of the Chief Scientist.
(Boarding Adviser)
Article 15. The Boarding Advisor should inform the responsible person for overall cruise activities of proposals regarding safety of the cruise and appropriateness of work progress and advise the Chief Researcher.
The Boarding Adviser can be appointed as necessary and should be approved by the board of directors' meeting.
(The Cruise Plan)
Article 16. The Chief Researcher is required to draw up the cruise plan at least 9 months prior to the commencement of research cruise.
(Submission of documents required under the Law of the Sea)
Article 17. The Chief Researcher shall fill in the necessary items required by the regulations in Law of the Sea for submission to the International Affairs Division of the Center at least 8 months prior to the commencement of research cruise.
The Chief Researcher shall submit the final list of research participants to the International Affairs Division at least 3 months prior to the commencement of research cruise.
The Ship Operations Division shall submit the final crew list and the list of other people aiming to collect materials or to conduct other works on board at least one month prior to the commencement of research cruise.
The International Affairs Division shall submit the required documents to the related authorities in accordance with designated procedures.
(Survey Permit) Article 18. Survey permit issued by a coastal country based on the provisions of the Law of the Sea and received by the International Affairs Division should be copied and distributed to the Chief Researcher and the Ship Operations Division.
Chapter 4. Boarding etc.
(Boarding Procedures)
Article 19. The required procedures when embarking onto the "MIRAI" shall be stipulated by the Research Support Department separately.
(Embarkation and Disembarkation)
Article 20. The Center shall designate the dates and places for embarkation or disembarkation to the boarding researchers and/or other boarding personnel with purposes of reporting or to be involved in other activities on board (hereinafter referred to as "researchers etc.").
The researchers etc. should observe the designated dates and places for embarkation and disembarkation to avoid causing delays. The Center also gives notices to the researchers etc. promptly in case of any changes with the designated dates or places of embarkation or disembarkation have occurred.
(Allocation of cabins on board)
Article 21. The Center shall allocate cabins to the researchers etc.
The researchers etc. may use the cabin facilities when occupying their allocated quarters.
(Items to be observed by boarding personnel)
Article 22. The personnel embarking on the "MIRAI" shall observe related clauses of this regulation and also should follow the instructions issued by the Captain while on board.
(Utilization of facilities etc.)
Article 23. The Center shall provide the necessary facilities and/or equipment on board "MIRAI" to the researchers etc.
(Brought in tools and/or devices)
Article 24. The Center shall authorize the researchers etc. to bring in materials for research onto "MIRAI" only when they are deemed to be necessary.
(Safety Management)
Article 25. The Center shall be responsible for insuring safety when the researchers conduct their research works on board the "MIRAI" except in cases when there is cause for the researcher(s) be held responsible.
The researchers etc. should observe the various regulations regarding safety management established by the Center when conducting their research and studies on board the "MIRAI".
Additional Clauses
Article 1. This regulation will be effective on the 29th of October, 1998.
Article 2. The operating guidance (Notice No.1 of 1998) for the Oceanographic Research Vessel "MIRAI" shall be abolished.