As engine dependability has greatly increased, many twin-engine planes have become able to carry out over-ocean flights. Search and rescue on the open ocean is very difficult, with high labor requirements and costs. However, in order to determine the causes of accidents and prevent their re-occurrence, recovery of the plane's black box and any remains in the ocean is necessary. It is only natural that the public's desire for a safe society calls for the thorough investigation of accidents through searches at sea.

The state of California is currently experiencing conditions of severe drought and water shortages. In January 2014 California Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought state of emergency and directed the state's agencies and departments to take all actions and steps necessary in response to the extremely dry conditions. While policies are urgently needed to address both the drought and water resources, the two main areas that provide the state's water are currently undergoing serious political divisions. The delay caused by their debates and confrontations over water resource management is compounded by the alternating severe drought and flood conditions caused by climate variation, resulting in extreme tensions and confusion for the state.

Famous world-wide as a naval strategist, in his youth Mahan served as Lieutenant Commander of a U.S. Naval ship, the USS Iroquois, that was in Osaka Bay during the last days of the Japanese shogunate. After secretly exiting Osaka Castle, Yoshinobu temporarily boarded the Iroquois before making his way to the Kaiyo Maru, which would take him to Edo (Tokyo). At the time, Yoshinobu had with him a letter to the captain of the Iroquois from the U.S. Minister to Japan. The U.S. government thus assisted in Yoshinobu's escape. This is the 100th anniversary of Mahan's death.