章节大纲

    • 　For a successful research and study voyage, it is important to have a comfortable living environment on board. Onboard the ship, with its many restrictions, you may feel more cramped and inconvenienced than on land, but if you know what it is like onboard beforehand, you can make your own preparations and devise ways to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Here, we use 360° camera images of the living quarters to give those who have never sailed on the「 Oshoro Maru」 an idea of what life on the ship is like.


      　First, Figure 15 shows the layout of the Oshoro Maru's living quarters. The living quarters are divided into the 「student living quarters」,「student dining hall」,「researcher living quarters」and 「chief researcher's room」each of which is located on a different level.


      　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Figure 15: Layout of residential compartment

    • ・Student Residential Area

      　The living quarters for students are located on the second deck, the lowest level. The living quarters are equipped with sleeping quarters (7 x 6-person rooms + 2 x 4-person rooms) and separate men's and women's washrooms, bathrooms, and toilets. The rooms are furnished with bunk beds and lockers for each resident, study desks, fans, and internal telephones. There is a washing machine and a clothes dryer in the bathroom, which can be used freely except for short voyages.

        

        

      Figure 16: Student residence (VR animation)

       

       

      Figure 17: Washroom (for men) (VR movie)

       

       

      Figure 18: Bath (for men) (VR video)

    • ・Student cafeteria (classroom)

      　On the floor above the student living quarters (upper deck), there is a cafeteria where faculty and students can gather together for meals. The cafeteria also serves as a classroom for lectures and is equipped with audio-visual equipment such as projectors and TV monitors. When not in use for meals or lectures, the cafeteria is also used as a place for passengers to relax.

       
       

      Figure 19: Student cafeteria (VR video)

    • ・Researchers' living quarters and principal researcher's apartment

      　For the purpose of teaching students and conducting surveys and research, university faculty and research institute staff (researchers) also board the Oshoro Maru. For convenience in conducting surveys and practical training, the quarters for such researchers (3 x 2-person cabins) are located on the same floor (aft deck) as the research compartments and observation deck. Each voyage also has a 「chief researcher」 on board as a leader who supervises the researchers and students. Since the chief researcher often goes up to the bridge as a coordinator and liaison between the ship and the crew, a single room for the chief researcher is located on the floor immediately below the bridge (end-boat deck). The chief scientist, who has the responsibility and authority to achieve the objectives of the voyage, is considered equal to or superior to the person in charge of the ship's operations, and his/her room is located alongside those of the captain and chief engineer.


      　The chief researcher's room is furnished with a bed, desk, locker, refrigerator, television, washstand, fan, and extension telephone. Researchers also use the bathroom and lavatory on the aft deck (both shared with the ship's crew).

        

       

      Figure 20: Principal researcher's living room (VR animation)