Setouchi Holdings has unveiled details of its latest vessel Guntû which will enter service on October 17 this year. "Guntû" is the expression used for the Asian paddle crab (a species of blue swimmer crab) found throughout the Seto Inland Sea.
The cruise/tourist vessel will have a length of 81.2 metres, beam of 13.75 metres, depth of 4.4 metres and draft 2.4 metres. Cruising at 10 knots, Guntû will have a gross tonnage of 3,200, with 19 passsenger cabins, 46 crew and 38 passengers.
The vessel will offer five routes on the Seto Inland Sea with options of four days/three nights, three days/two nights and two days/one night). There are westbound and eastbound cruises. The westbound route will include visit to Miyajima Island where the world heritage Itsukushima-jinja is located. For eastbound, the vessel will pass by Naoshima Island which is famous for art museums. Guests can visit these islands by tenders.
The concept for the design was that of a boutique hotel floating on the Seto Inland Sea. Departing from and returning to the Bella Vista Marina in Onomichi City, this small luxury cruiseship features a roof that blends with the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea and evokes the tiled roofs of the buildings along the coast, as well as a silver coloured hull that changes hue with the colour of the sea.
