Led by Capt. Sotaro Mizutani, the Tenyo Maru is operated by the National Fishery University in Shimono Seki, Japan, and has been conducting marine resource survey in the Western Pacific while giving maritime students hands-on training.
According to Teresa Lee, ship agency service manager of Ambyth Shipping Micronesia Inc., the visiting ship’s agent, it is Tenyo Maru’s first time to dock here.
But its sister ship, Koyo Maru, also a training ship of the National Fishery University, visited Saipan in 2006.
The Marianas Visitor Authority sent its staff to the seaport to give the visiting Japanese students and seamen a warm welcome by performing a traditional dance and presenting shell necklaces to the visitors.
“I hope these students will have a lasting impression of the island,” said Mark Rabauliman, vessel boarding agent of Ambyth.
The students and crewmembers are scheduled to visit the Japanese consulate and CNMI government offices today.
