Owned by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, the ship operates under Captain Hisashi Tanabe.
The Keifu Maru, a Japanese research vessel, made port at Malakal, Koror on February 19 to replenish supplies before making its way back to its homeport of Kobe, Japan.The research vessel left its homeport on January 8, 2010 for an Oceanographic and Marine Meteorological Observation of the waters of the Northwest Pacific.The vessel carries 11 scientists with backgrounds in Oceanography and Meteorology tasked with collecting data in these waters by means of hydrographic, current, and subsurface temperature observations.
In their last port call in Koror on July 2009, Captain Tanabe extended an invitation for high school students of Palau to tour the research vessel on their next visit.The invitation serves to motivate and enhance awareness on climate change issues as well as a promotion of interest in the study of science fields such as oceanography and meteorology.
The Keifu Maru is well known in Palau as not only a research vessel but also as a hero.It would be recalled that on February 5, 2006, a Japanese tourist along with a Japanese dive instructor were diving at Peleliu Express when they were washed out by strong currents.The Bureau of Public Safety commenced a search and rescue operation with the assistance of the US Coast Guard and local tour operators.
On this date, the Keifu Maru was one day away from calling port at Malakal.Upon receiving the notice for search and rescue from the US Coast Guard, the vessel diverted its course to join the search efforts.The captain and crew of the Keifu Maru were able to rescue the two divers after 30 hours adrift at sea in the waters southwest of Angaur and brought them to Malakal Port.
According to Ambassador Sadaoka, the invitation to tour the Keifu Maru and the assistance to Palau’s search and rescue efforts are further symbols of the strong friendly relations and mutual assistance that exist between Japan and Palau.
