In the wake of the devastating tsunami and its effects on the economy of coastal Japan, a Maine shipbuilding firm has decided to step and begin building boats for the fishermen who lost everything in the storm.

Operation Blessing International is a relief organization that helps with disaster clean-up, relief, and monetary resources for those who are afflicted when natural disasters occur. They are saying that they want to order even more than the 20 boats they initially ordered from Maine shipbuilder, General Marine Inc.

The plan, according to Operation Blessing, is to have as many 19-foot fishing boats constructed as possible. The boats have to be constructed to meet the needs of the Japanese fishermen who brave the seas every season to earn their livelihood. The boats must be versatile so that they can allow the fishermen to drag nets, go out into open water, and even do more "traditional" fishing from the deck.

Because over 5000 fishing boats were lost during the tsunami, Operation Blessing is attempting to infuse the region with as many fishing boats they possibly can. They say that they plan to order even more boats over the next year as the funds become available. The orders will continue to be placed until the Japanese fleet is rebuilt to a level that will be able to sustain the region again.

For General Marine Inc., this is a blessing in its own right. The order that has come in from Operation Blessing is going to allow General Marine to rehire six to eight workers that had been previously laid off. This brings jobs back to Maine in spite of all the current economic troubles that have plagued Japan, Maine, and the rest of the global economy.

With the continuation of new orders over, at least the next year, General Marine and the coastal fishermen of Japan will be able to resuscitate their business or way of life. The fishermen in Japan have lived for generations fishing the open seas and selling their products, but those regions have suffered greatly since the tsunami that struck. In light of that, a partnership between two struggling marine outfits seems only fitting so that the two can continue the way of life that they have known for hundreds of years