Residents of a port town in quake-ravaged Miyagi Prefecture on March 2 bid a fond farewell and heartfelt thanks to the people of Hiroshima, who played a big part in recovery efforts from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Residents of a port town in quake-ravaged Miyagi Prefecture on March 2 bid a fond farewell and heartfelt thanks to the people of Hiroshima, who played a big part in recovery efforts from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
After the March 11 tsunami damaged all seven ships that had operated between Kesennuma Port and nearby Oshima Island, the Etajima municipal government in Hiroshima Prefecture stepped in to lend a hand.
Etajima sent its 397-ton car ferry, the Dream no Umi, north to Miyagi Prefecture to cover the route for Kesennuma.
Since then, the vessel has served as a means of commuting for people on the island by making eight round trips a day. It has transported more than 250,000 people and 50,000 vehicles between Kesennuma Port and Oshima Island since it took over the route.
But the time finally came for the Dream no Umi to return to its home port. As it sailed out of Kesennuma Port on March 2 bound for Hiroshima Prefecture, its crew members were presented with two 1-meter square sheets of fabric scrawled with messages of thanks and appreciation from the people of Oshima.
One read, "Thank you so much," while another said, "The first step for recovery. We will always remember your generosity."