Hugh, I think that the smaller propellers are for steering; as for the tug spraying water, that was probably to minimize the friction when pushing against her hull - I know the tugs in Korea do the same. But the best part of the video for me was the tug at her stern during the launch, doing some Olympic grade precision movements before stopping her - there is very little distance between the slipway and the nearby small island, so every vessel launched there has only limited space for floating out...

Rgds

Vlad

Thanks for the vid link Vlad, very interesting. I take it the smaller props are for maneuverability in port?

Also, why was the tug spraying water from its bow?

And her aft ramp is typically tiny... :)

But don't take my word for it: here's a youtube video of her launching, with some rather interesting details of her propulsion/steering arangement...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq8CwoYBTjw

Rgds

Vlad

The outlook is very "Japanese" too.

Thanks for your comment, Ralph! I glimpsed these two ferries when I was coming by train from Kitakyushu to Shimonoseki, and went to investigate... :)

Rgds

Vlad

Very nice, a first on Shipspotting! Sistership fitting out next to her. Nice classic shape as usual with Japanese ferries. A couple of lifeboats would have improved her appearance, but those are not necessary in the Japanese domestic trade.