We have repeatedly trained to use the SDF ship as a temporary medical facility during acute disasters. The Maritime Self Defense Force has various types of ships: supply ship (Oumei type), transport ship (Osumi type), and escort ship (hinge type, whip type) which has a large hangar and a treatable medical compartment.

The points of training are collaboration between the SDF and the commander’s line of medical personnel, construction of a method of contact with the outside, construction of contact method inside the ship, kind of patient, medical contents, use of medical zone, method of transporting to the ship, method of transporting to the outside of the ship, positioning of the ship in the afflicted area, etc.

Assuming the Nankai Trough Earthquake, the activities of SDF vessels in coastal areas are affected by the extent to which the functions of medical institutions in inland areas are kept, how transportation methods can be secured, and how many injured people there are.

As a result of the examination thus far, the range of activities of SDF vessels is limited. The function of the ship is considered to be offshore SCU, hospital evacuation support, etc. Tight collaboration and training with the SDF are necessary in the future.