The Japanese Oceanographic Research Vessel MIRAI will arrive in Fremantle's Inner Harbour at about 0830 on Saturday,  January 24 for a three day visit.

MIRAI will be open to the public at C Berth, Victoria Quay between 11 am and 3 pm on Sunday 25 January.  Please note that covered shoes (no sandals or thongs) must be worn aboard the ship.

"MIRAI", owned by the Japan Marine Science and Technology Centre (JAMSTEC) and operated by Global Ocean Development Inc,  is  the world's largest oceanographic research ship. The vessel can conduct large area and long duration observations and research studies.  The research undertaken on board the vessel is expected to contribute greatly to understanding and predicting global-scale environmental changes such as global warming.

MIRAI's mission is to enhance understanding of:

• heat circulation in the oceans
• circulation of material cycle in the ocean
• ocean ecosystems
• ocean floor dynamics
• The vessel departs on the morning of Tuesday,  January 27, 2004.

Technical Specifications

Overall Length: 128.58m
Beam Overall :19.0m
Depth: 10.50m
Draft: 6.9m
Gross tonnage: 8,687 tons
Service speed: 16 knots
Range: 12,000 nautical miles
Complement: 80 (crew 34, observation staff 18, and researchers 28)
Main Propulsion System: Diesel engines (2,500hp 4units)
Main Propulsion Method: Controllable pitch propeller (2units)