AN estimated 8,000 persons visited the Logos Hope within its first two days of docking at the Carib Cement Company’s Rockfort Pier in Kingston, to take advantage of bargains being offered on Christian literature and educational books.

The ship — which docked in Kingston Wednesday after a three-week stop in Montego Bay, St James — is touted as being the world’s largest floating book fair and has been enjoying overwhelming support, much like what was meted out to its predecessor, the Logos II, on previous visits to Jamaica.

Among those shopping in the ship’s large air-conditioned bookstore Thursday night was mother-of-three Marsha Moodie, who — at just minutes to the ship’s 10 o’clock closing time — was frantically gathering up colouring books and stationery for her children.

“Well, I have been coming here ever since I realised that there is a book ship so I am taking the opportunity to get a little stuff,” she said while looking over a wide selection of children’s books, even as she kept a keen watch on her shopping basket.

“We are trying to get our children in a reading culture, and so this is great,” said Moodie.

The visit to the ship was a family affair for Karen Oddman, who was accompanied by her husband and her two toddlers.

“It was good,” she said of the experience. “It was our first time here and it wasn’t crowded and there was a good variety of books for both genders and all ages.”

The family was especially pleased with their purchases, which amounted to a little over $5,000.

“It’s value for money. If we went to a bookstore, we couldn’t have gotten that,” she said, pointing out that she had lost count of the number of items she had bought.

But while thousands of Jamaicans flocked the ship to purchase literature, managing director of the Logos Hope Gian Walser said the vessel’s primary purpose was to spread the message of knowledge, help and hope.

“In Jamaica, the Logos II was known as the book ship. People know us and are excited about us. But the Logos Hope is more than books, the Logos Hope is more than a ship, the Logos Hope is more than a book ship, the Logos Hope is a vision to make a difference in this world,” he shared, during Thursday’s official reception aboard the vessel.

Yesterday marked one year since the vessel has been in operation, but Walser said they had witnessed tremendous success during this period — primarily, the transformation of lives through their message of hope.

“We bring good news through good literature and educational events on board. We bring good news by helping the community to have a much better quality of life through practical initiatives and partnership with others,” said Walser.

The vessel, whose crew consists of 400 volunteers of 45 different nationalities, is owned by the Germany Christian charity organisation GBA Ships.

Former radio announcer Tamara Francis, who is the only Jamaican representative on board the vessel, has been with GBA for the past two years and has no regrets about giving up her job to travel the world.

“I like the interaction with the different cultures and getting to serve people in other places, not just home, so it’s a good experience,” she said, noting that she had visited over 17 countries since sailing last February.

She and the other crew members are non-salaried volunteers who have left families behind to help bring hope to many.

Kingston is the ship’s 23rd port stop since its journey began last year. It will be docked at the Rockfort Pier until March 22.