December 16th, 2009
Preparations were made for the Suntory Mermaid II to be exhibited at Tsuneishi Forestry Construction Company of TSUNEISHI Holdings. The unveiling ceremony was held on Wednesday December 16th, 2009, with the marine adventurer Kenichi Horie in attendance.
At the ceremony Mr. Horie said “Hopefully, wave-power research and development will be pursued, and by enhancing the performance and utility of this technology, contribute to preserving the natural environment. I’d also like people to see the Suntory Mermaid II, take interest in the possibility of natural energy, and feel how wonderful it is to take on a challenge.” After his remarks, Mr. Horie unveiled the exhibit as about 40 people looked on. Jun Kambara, speaking on behalf of Tsuneishi Foresty Construction Company, said, “We were very honored to participate in such an important project. Now this boat is being exhibited at our company, and we’ll continue to build excellent ships and boats so that we do not dishonor on Mr. Horie’s challenging spirit.”
Suntory Mermaid II will be exhibited to the public, if you make a reservation in advance. For reservations, contact the General Affairs Department of Tsuneishi Forestry Construction Company (TEL: 0848-73-5282, ext. 2550). We hope that by seeing the Suntory Mermaid II, you’ll be inspired by Mr. Horie’s challenging spirit and take an interest in the environment.
February 13th, 2009
Yesterday, it was announced that Kenichi Horie has received the “Special Award of the Naomi Uemura Adventure Prize 2008.”
The Naomi Uemura Adventure Prize is organized by Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture to commemorate the life and character of adventurer Naomi Uemura, and is given to people or organizations that take on bold and creative challenges in nature.
Kenichi Horie’s numerous accomplishments, including last year’s solo voyage between Honolulu and the Kii Suido Channel aboard the wave-powered boat “Suntory Mermaid II,” were highly evaluated. We at the Tsuneishi Group are also honored to have supported Mr. Horie’s challenge.
The ceremony will be held on June 6th (Sat.) this year. Mr. Horie has already begun thinking about future adventures, which we will continue to follow with interest.
The website for the office organizing “Naomi Uemura Adventure Award”
August 19th, 2008
Kenichi Horie visited our company on August 7th, a month after his successful solo voyage across the Pacific Ocean. He made the journey in a wave-powered boat which generates power from wave motion, and talked to us about sailing.
His talk will be broadcast on a TV show program which introduces various companies. Please check the program.
July 5th, 2008
A Homecoming Ceremony was held for Kenichi Horie at the Shin-Nishinomiya yacht harbor in Nishinomiya city, Hyogo prefecture. About 100 people, including yacht mates and fans, awaited his return. The construction team at Tsuneishi Forestry Construction Company of TSUNEISHI Holdings Corporation was also on hand to greet him with flowers.
In an interview with the press Mr. Horie said, “I could actually feel the waves all around being converted to energy to drive the yacht. It’s nothing like wind. I sense unknown possibilities in the waves.
July 4th, 2008
At 11:49 p.m. Kenichi Horie completed his journey at last, arriving home at Kishu Suido Channel after 110 days at sea. Ocean current and wind effects on the craft put the arrival a month behind the original schedule, but both Mr. Horie and SUNTORY Mermaid II were in fine shape as they reached their goal.
June 21st, 2008
A TSUNEISHI Holdings Corporation-sponsored radio program introduced Mr. Horie by satellite telephone. The program “Toshio to Yumiko’s Omoikkiri Doyobi (Toshio and Yumiko’s Full Blast Saturday) in Fukuyama,” produced by RCC Broadcasting, was a 3-hour program devoted to a campaign to prevent global warming. On the program Mr. Horie spent about 15 minutes discussing his experiences at sea, including how he passed the time and what most deeply impressed him. A member of the construction team, section chief Iwami Kodera, was also interviewed about the yacht’s structure and design principles.
March 13th, 2008
Kenichi Horie’s latest adventure has begun at last. At 11 o’clock, his ship departed the Hawaii Yacht Club’s Aloha dock. Using its outboard engine, the ship moved offshore of Honolulu to the voyage’s starting point, and at 11:15 set sail using the vessel’s unique wave-powered propulsion system.
Appearing in a white shirt and white shorts Mr. Horie made a brief speech, saying “The weather, wind, and waves are all favorable today, and I’m confident that this cruise will be a success. I depart with high spirits.” The people gathered to see him off draped him with leis until his face vanished behind the flowers, wishing for his safe sailing.
About 200 people attended the departure ceremony, including Toshio Kunikata (Consul General in Honolulu), Pat Kirrane (Past Commodore of the San Francisco Yacht Club), Frank Lange (Commodore of the Hawaii Yacht Club), members of the Hawaii Yacht Club, local Japanese docents and Japanese tourists.
Staff of the Tsuneishi Forestry Construction Company, who built the Suntory Mermaid II, were also there to see him off.
Photo by Shigeo Yamada
February 18th, 2008
The Suntory Mermaid II has left the port of Kobe for Honolulu, Hawaii.
People involved with the project quietly saw off the Suntory Mermaid II aboard a container ship departing Kobe port.
In a brief speech, Mr. Horie said, “I’d like to successfully complete this cruise so that people will begin to consider wave power more seriously. I’ll be back without any significant delays.”
The voyage will commence on March 16th, the world’s first wave powered cruise!
September 12th, 2007 Nameplate Attachment
On September 12th, a building nameplate was attached to the rear wall of the SUNTORY Mermaid II’s cabin at the Shin-Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor. The preparations are underway for next year’s challenge.
August 2nd, 2007 Test Sailing at Kii Suido
We recently received a report from Mr. Horie.
Despite Typhoon No. 5’s impending arrival in Japan, he was finally able to do some test sailing at Kii Suido on August 2nd.
There was no rain, but the wind and waves were powerful. The waves, especially, were unusually large for Kii Suido, and it felt like he was sailing on the Pacific. His speed over the day averaged about three to four knots. You may not be able to tell from the photo, but the waves were actually about four meters high!
July 23rd, 2007 Passing Messages to Mr. Horie
We passed the messages from attendees of “public & cruise/departure ceremony” to the Shin-Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor which is Mr. Horie’s homeport.
June 21st, 2007 Presentation event at an elementary school
Presentation of “Mr. Horie’s speech” was held at Tsuneishi elementary school in Fukuyama city. About 90 people, including students and parents, listened to Mr. Horie’s speech.
June 16th, 2007 Public ceremony, bringing the ship into Nishinomiya
At Sakaigahama Marina next to the Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Factory a ceremony was held, open to the public, to bring the ship into its homeport. Many people attended the ceremony, both from the local prefecture and beyond, to cheer Mr. Horie.
May 30th, 2007 Launching ceremony
At the pier of Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Company, the launching ceremony was held. Local students of FukuyamaTsuneishi Elementary School and the press celebrated the launching.
April, 2007 Under construction
Tsuneishi Forestry Construction Company of TSUNIEISHI Holdings Company was in charge of building the ship. The body was constructed using the matchless skill and technology found in the Seto Inland Sea area.
