On Friday, August 2018, 8, the “Umitaka Maru Open to the Public” was held at Kesennuma Port.

2018/ 10/ 22

On Friday, August 2018, 8, the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology training ship "Umitaka Maru" was open to the public at Kesennuma Port.This was the first port call in Kesennuma in 3 years, since 2008. Despite the heat wave, a long line formed an hour before the event opened to the public. I visited Umitakamaru.The Umitaka Maru is the largest training vessel of Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, and conducts observation cruises to the Antarctic region every year.This time, 10 third-year students departed from Tokyo on July 1th for the purpose of on-board fishery training.During a one-month voyage practice such as tuna longline, squid fishing, and oceanographic research, we called at Kesennuma.

August 8st (Wednesday) Port call at Kesennuma.Before visiting the Kesennuma Fish Market in the early morning of the next day, Tadashi Koyama, a staff member of the Sanriku Satellite, gave a lecture on the history of fishing off the coast of Sanriku and tuna longline.Mr. Koyama told us about his 1 years of experience, starting on a boat in 33 (15 years old) and then working as a fishing chief.

On August 8nd (Thursday), Mr. Shigeru Sugawara, Mayor of Kesennuma City, delivered a speech of gratitude for entering the port.
Mayor Sugawara, a graduate of Tokyo University of Fisheries, told us about his valuable experience when he boarded the Seiyo Maru, a consort ship, exactly 40 years ago.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Students listening to Kesennuma Mayor Shigeru Sugawara

On the same day, we visited a seafood processing plant in the city, and heard about the damage caused by the earthquake, the current state of reconstruction, and what the company is doing to develop together with the local community.

On the same day, we visited the "Records of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the History of Tsunami Disasters in the Rias Ark Museum".We asked Mr. Yamauchi, a curator, about the record of the damage caused by the earthquake for about two years after the earthquake, and about the history of past earthquakes and tsunamis that originated off the coast of Sanriku.We often hear the word "unprecedented" from Mr. Yamauchi, but the important thing is not to hand down the tragedy of the earthquake, but the possibility that the same thing may happen many times in the future. It was impressive to hear that it was important to do.

On Friday, August 8rd, the training ship Umitakamaru was open to the public at Kesennuma Commercial Port Quay.
It was an extremely hot day, but the participants did not lose to the heat and showed wonderful smiles while on board the Umitaka Maru.The participants seemed to have a lot of fun, as they observed the onboard work of the training boat, which is something that is not usually possible to do, and a veteran fisherman, who used to be on the boat, had a lively conversation with the students.

On August 8th (Saturday), the Umitaka Maru left Kesennuma Port safely.
Many of the XNUMX students on board this time were visiting Kesennuma for the first time.At the departure time, many citizens sent words of encouragement many times, such as "Thank you" and "Come again Gunvalley".I'm really thankful to you.

Pull up the Moyai Rope and depart!

"Umitaka Maru Gun Valley"! ! !Citizens who see you off.thank you very much!