A ferry carrying 490 passengers and crew members arrived in Akita port Monday morning after being anchored off Funakawa, Akita Prefecture, overnight due to engine trouble.

Seven passengers who suffered serious seasickness or fever were taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance, according to the local fire department.

After repairs and a safety check, the 17,329-ton Suisen departed for its original destination of Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, in the afternoon. Only 159 of the original 456 passengers stayed aboard. It was to arrive in Tsuruga early Tuesday morning.

The remaining passengers chose to travel by bus to Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto. The bus service was provided by ShinNihonkai Ferry Co., the vessel's operator.