NEW JAPANESE CARGO SHIP

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31115, 19 July 1966, Page 3

NEW JAPANESE CARGO SHIP

The Japan Rimu, a new Japanese cargo

liner, is now at Lyttelton on her maiden voyage. The vessel has the most modern and labour-saving equipment, and according to her master, Captain Kinji Suwa, her revolutionary design allows her to sail with a much lighter complement than usual for a vessel of her size.

She has 12 officers and 22 other crew members and is one of three such ships being built specially for the New Zealand-Japan service. The next ship will be called the Japan Kauri. The Japan Rimu was built by Ishikawajima - Harima Heavy Industries, which recently tendered successfully for the widening of Auck- : land’s harbour bridge. Both her main diesel propulsion and all her auxiliary machinery, such as cargo winches and windlass, are all initially controlled from a main hydraulic centre in the engine-room. Her five cargo holds, which have both upper and lower ’tween decks, have slatted steel hatch covers which work on the same principle as a roller blind. She has 1000 tons of refrigerated space, including 200 tons of chilled space. Three sets of goal-post masts and long derricks further add to the speed of cargo handling. Although capable of nearly 20 knots, the Japan Rimu. of 7142 tons, averaged 17.4 knots on her voyage from Kobe to

Auckland, taking 11 days, 15 hours for the trip. She is 458 ft long, with a beam of 63ft. She is spaciously appointed with an emphasis on lighting and air conditioning. Every man aboard has a single cabin. Her recreation space has a radio and television. Her main feature is automation, however. According to Captain Suwa, the Japan Rimu is probably the most modern Japanese merchant vessel afloat. In addition to radar, echo sounder, gyro and other stan-

dard equipment, she has] wind speed and direction indi-' cators with easy-to-rtad dials. ] cargo dew point recorders and! a press-button hold ventilation! system. A F.A.X. teleprinter recorder receives regulari weather maps and news bulletins, at scheduled times from Japan, Guam, or Canberra.; when the vessel is in this! area. An American generator uses the sea water from the engine cooling system and makes 10 tons of fresh water daily. In her machine shop electric welding can be carried out and most repairs. The Japan Rimu is expected to make approximately four round trips a year on the Japan-New Zealand service. ’On this trip she has called at j Auckland, Napier, Wellington and Timaru, discharging and loading at each port. She will complete at Dunedin, Bluff. | i New Plymouth and finally at ’Auckland again, before returning to Japan.