April 14, 2011
TOKYO - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today reports that its ocean cruise ship Fuji Maru has provided free day-use services such as meals, baths, and rest for victims of the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake at ports in Iwate Prefecture.
About 1,000 people in Ofunato and Rikuzen-takata cities took advantage of the service at Ofunato port on April 11 and 12, and about 300 people at Kamaishi port on April 13. On the evening of April 11, the Fuji Maru received an expression of thanks from the city of Ofunato, delivered by Mayor Komei Toda.
The Fuji Maru continues to provide day services at Kamaishi port for one more day, and then will call at Ofunato port again on April 15 for the same purpose. Finally, the ship is to call at Miyako port April 16 and 17 to provide services for people in that area.
Schedule of Fuji Maru
Thursday, April 14 | 18:00 | Depart Kamaishi |
Friday,April 15 | 08:00 | Arrive Ofunato (Nonoda area wharf) |
16:30 | Depart Ofunato | |
Saturday, April 16 | 08:00 | Arrive Miyako (Fujiwara area pier) |
Sunday,April 17 | 18:00 | Depart Miyako |
Monday,April 18 | 17:00 | Arrive Tokyo |
Details of services for quake victims
(1) Provide meals featuring fresh vegetables
(2) Provide baths in the large communal bathing facility
(3) Use of guest rooms (showers are available)
(4) Use of onboard public telephones, mobile phone battery chargers (with cooperation of NTT DOCOMO)
(5) Onboard cinema
Some comments from people who have used the services offered by the Fuji Maru.
Other comments included "Thank you so very much." "Someday I'd like to take a cruise on the Fuji Maru."
(Reference)
Main specifications of the ocean cruise ship Fuji Maru
Shipowner: Nippon Charter Cruise (MOL Group 50%, Shinnihonkai Ferry Group 50%)
Gross tonnage: 23,235 dwt
Length: 167m
Beam: 24m
Draft: 6.6m
No. of passengers (max.): 600
Junior Sea Friends Federation of Ofunato members welcoming the Fuji Maru's arrival with semaphore signals
Quake survivors enjoy a meal aboard the Fuji Maru.