February 15th, 2010 by Editor

Both the Sea Shepherd and the Institute of Cetacean Research are reporting thatPete Bethune, captain of the sunk Ady Gil, earlier today boarded the Japanese whaling security vessel that hit his boat.

According toPaul Watson, Bethune boarded the Shonan Maru No 2 under the cover of darkness using a jet ski — most likely thesame one that was on-board the Ady Gil. “His mission is to attempt a citizens arrest of the skipper of Shonan Maru No 2 for the destruction of the Ady Gil and attempted murder of six Ady Gil crew,” Captain Watson said.

He said Mr Bethune had a bill for $3 million to present to the Japanese boat’s skipper and a demand for surrender.

Watson added that he anticipated Bethune would be kept as a prisoner — but more likely is the fact that there’s no easy way to return him. In a press release, the ICR noted that a similar stunt by the Sea Shepherd two years ago ended when an Australian ship acted as a mediator and returned two activists that had illegally boarded.

“In this latest incident, there is no vessel available to act as a go between to return Mr Bethune,” the press release concluded.

More details as we get them.

By Michael d’Estries
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February 6th, 2010 by Editor

A second collision between the Sea Shepherd and the Japanese whaling fleet has occurred.

According to thelatest news from the Sea Shepherd(which has been sparse the past few weeks), the MV Bob Barker was deliberately rammed at 12.09pm today by the Yushin Maru 3. No one was injured, but a small hole was torn above the water line in the ship’s hull.

The SS said the Bob Barker had been actively blocking the slipway of the Nisshin Maru, the Japanese whaling fleet’s factory ship. Four harpoon ships, the Yushin Maru 1, 2 and 3 and Shonan Maru 2 were circling and making near passes to the stern and bow of the Sea Shepherd vessel.

“The Bob Barker did not move from its position,” said the release.

“At which point the Yushin Maru 3 internationally rammed the Bob Barker creating a three-foot long and four-inch deep gash in the mid-starboard side of the Sea Shepherd vessel above the waterline. The Bob Barker continues to block the slipway of the Nisshin Maru preventing the transfer of slaughtered whales and effectively shutting “illegal whaling operations”.

“The incident demonstrates a continued escalation of violence by the illegal whalers in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary.”

Last month,a Japanese whaling ship collided with the Sea Shepherd’s Ady Gil, slicing a huge section off the front and dooming the high-tech vessel. CaptainPaul Watson, who is currently aboard the MV Steve Irwin, said because of that action, the Japanese now feel they can do whatever they want. “What we really need is for the governments of Australia and New Zealand to step up and start enforcing maritime laws in these waters, or who knows what the whalers will do next.

“Australian and New Zealand lives are at risk every day in these waters.”

Watson’s claim that the Bob Barker was deliberately hit could not be independently verified.

[UPDATE:There's now video of the incident]

According to MSNBC, Japanese Fisheries Agency official Takashi Mori said officials were trying to confirm details of a reported clash.

By Michael d’Estries
Found on the net by our news bot

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January 18th, 2010 by Editor

Ever since theSea Shepherd Ady Gil was sunksome two weeks ago after a collision with a Japanese whaling vessel, the talk has turned to funding and building a successor.We already know that it will be expensive— and that words like “bigger, better, faster” have been thrown around — but what exactly would such a revised ship look like?

Our curiosity got the better of us, so we contacted the one guy who probably knows better than anyone else:Captain Pete Bethune, the creator and owner of the original Ady Gil.

“In some respects the Ady Gil was a few metres short,” he wrote to us from aboard the Sea Shepherd Bob Barker. “The best is a self contained campaign vessel with greater range, an 8m rib for skirmishes and boarding, crew of 10-12 (includes video, photographer, ops manager, skipper, 2IC, engineer, and 5 crew). it would allow us to run campaigns and promotions anywhere in world, with a large enough team to be self sufficient. I reckon 30-33m vessel. Probably a wave piercing catamaran, or tri hull but with living space over outriggers. Still be really efficient and cost effective compared with the likes of Steve Irwin and Bob Barker. But big enough to be unsupported. Down here for example, we needed to meet up with larger vessel every 3 weeks for fuel and supplies.”

He added, however, that it will be up to others to make those decisions — so whether or not the Sea Shepherd pursue the cost to build such a ship is out of his hands.

In my opinion, it makes perfect sense for Paul Watson and Co. to move ahead with a new version of the ship. Even though the costs would be high, the press coverage gained would be even greater. And no offense to either the MV Bob Barker or MV Steve Irwin, but the Ady Gil 2 would be a sexy, sleek vessel that would draw large crowds and provide opportunities to educate people on the Sea Shepherd’s current campaigns. The returns, I feel, would be much greater than the initial investment.

By Michael d’Estries
Found on the net by our news bot

Ady, Bob Barker, Captain Pete Bethune, Celebrities, eco, fashion, Gil, japanese whaling, Michael, ops manager, Paul Watson, sea, Shepherd, ship, Steve Irwin, sustainability, vessel, video photographer, watson and co, whaling vessel

January 9th, 2010 by Editor

We just received an email from CaptainPete Bethuneof the Ady Gil explaining a bit why the ship appeared to move at the last minuteas the Shonan Maru No.2 was closing in on her. Here are his words,

“We were just idling. My guy driving tried to turn to starboard at last minute but was too late. Also had a wave pick us up which carried us another metre or so into danger. In the end we had right of way. They were on our port side and they were also overtaking. So it is up to them to steer clear of us regardless. A good result for the Japanese in short term, but this will hurt them dearly in the long term I believe.”

I also asked Peter who received that water cannon-to-the-face after the collision. Adding insult to injury, he confirmed it was him.

By Michael d’Estries
Found on the net by our news bot

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January 9th, 2010 by Editor

This video leaves very little doubt over who is at fault for the destruction of the Ady Gil. More updates to follow.

By Michael Parrish DuDell
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Ady, Celebrities, destruction, doubt, eco, fashion, fault, Gil, michael parrish, Michael Parrish DuDellFound, sustainability, video

January 8th, 2010 by Editor

In ourlist of forces working against the Sea Shepherd’sdesperate struggle to save the foundering Ady Gil, weather was the number one concern.

Unfortunately, it now appears that Mother Nature has claimed the stealth boat.

A poster on a Sea Shepherd forumwas listening toCaptain Paul Watsonbeing interviewed on an Australian morning television show when the bad news was revealed.

“Paul Watson just said on ABC News Breakfast Australia that the Ady Gil has sunk, they (not sure which ship) had been towing her for 6-7 hours towards the French base but the weather picked up, she took on water and sunk. He confirmed that all fuel and oil had been taken off the vessel.”

Earlier, the MV Bob Barker attempted to tow the Ady Gil— but quickly discovered that she was taking on too much water when moved. There were hopes that a French vessel with a crane might come to assist, but we’ve no idea if they ever showed up. Either way, it’s an unfortunate end to such a beautiful vessel. In memory, we’ve added some of our favorite pics below.

[UPDATE]Confirmed. Watson says the ship went down shortly before 8:30am AEDT today while it was being towed to an island. [Link]

[UPDATE #2]According to reports, the Ady Gil snapped its tow lines after taking on too much water. Sea Shepherd reported the last known position of the ship to Australian authorities, warning them that it could pose a navigation hazard for three hours after the sinking. TheICR Whaling organization has posted photosof the abandoned Ady Gil drifting; presumably before she sank some time later.

“We spent the greater part of yesterday transferring all of the fuel, oil and batteries and any other contaminates,” said Peter Hammarstedt, the Bob Barker’s first officer. Japanese whalers say an oil slick is following the Gil, but we imagine that it would be minor considering a.) the SS claim the boat was low on fuel when it was struck and b.) the efforts made afterwards to reduce environmental impact of its sinking.

By Michael d’Estries
Found on the net by our news bot

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January 7th, 2010 by Editor

Go ahead and calltoday’s collisionbetween a Japanese whaling vessel and the Sea Shepherd Ady Gil a best case scenario.

Of all the possible ways it could have happened, shearing off the front 8-feet of the sleek vessel was probably the one that gave it the best shot at survival. Had the Shonan Maru No.2 split the Gil closer to the middle or even backside, there might zero leftover to ponder salvaging — not to mention the increased danger that would have befallen the crew.

As it is, the inflicted rhinoplasty may have bought Ady Gil Captain Pete Bethune some time to figure out how to recover his ship. If there’s a bright side to this, it’s that the ship’s two powerful 540hp engines and electronics appear to have been left relatively unscathed. Granted, as the Sea Shepherd have repeatedly said the boat is taking on water, there’s no way of knowing if that alone has already ruined the gear on board.

Even if we assume that the Ady Gil is still afloat and in one piece with the exception of its nose, there are a bunch of forces at work that might cause her to be scuttled. One, yesterday’s incident took place in relatively calm seas. Since this area of the world is known for wickedly unpredictable weather, any change for the worse in ocean swells might quickly swamp the vessel and flood through the open hole. If that doesn’t happen, Bethune still needs to figure out a.) a way to plug the hole in the front and b.) how to tow her home. As Paul Watson mentioned yesterday after the incident, the Sea Shepherd are committed to remaining engaged against the Japanese whaling fleet — so that leaves support from either the MV Steve Irwin or MV Bob Barker out the question.(Or not: Good to see the SS taking care of one of their own. Check out the update below)

More likely would be for either an Australian or New Zealand vessel to lend a hand. Also a possibility would be support from the French research basethe SS visited a few weeks back— though it’s anyone’s guess if they have the capability to assist. In any case, it would be several days before any vessel could be on site, a grim prospect with regards to the weather mentioned earlier.

The last scenario would be for Bethune to somehow plug the hole and, should the engines continue working, slowly glide back to a safe port or sheltered bay off the Antarctic coast.

Either way, the odds are stacked against the Ady Gil. We’re just glad everyone is safe — and that the best case scenario is the one we’re talking about today rather than something more tragic.

[UPDATE]The crew of the world record-breaking speed boat were currently salvaging all the diesel, lest it spill into the Antarctic waters. Swift said they were planning to winch the front of the severed bow onto the Bob Barker, and tow the stricken vessel to port, and repairs, in Hobart, Australia, or to New Zealand. viaTVNZ.co.nz

More pics of the damage below:

By Michael d’Estries
Found on the net by our news bot

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January 6th, 2010 by Editor

The Ady Gil is no more — and the Sea Shepherd are back down to two boats.

Paul Watson has confirmed that the Japanese whaling vessel Shonan Maru #2 cut the high-tech $2 million Ady Gil in two, paralyzing her. He said the stealth boat was idling in waters near Commonwealth Bay when it was suddenly approached and rammed by the Japanese ship. “This seriously escalates the whole situation,” Watson told theSydney Morning Herald.

“It cut eight feet off the front of the vessel. There is a big gaping hole, so it can’t go anywhere or it would fill up with water,” he said.

The crew of six have all been accounted for, Watson confirmed. Five are on the new ship MV Bob Barker, with one still on the Ady Gil. We imagine that guy to be Captain Pete Bethune, who designed and built the boat.

Obviously, there are a whole bunch of questions as how a boat as fast as the Ady Gil could be surprised — and not get the hell out of the way. But furthermore, the Japanese should be held accountable for ramming a much smaller vessel — and putting human lives in great danger in the process. This appears to have been a full-on collision — not some accidental sideswipe. They should be prepared for a great deal of international outrage with this one.

[UPDATE 1]Jeff Hansen, Australian director of the Sea Shepherd organisation, said theAdy Gilhad come to a stop in front of theShonan Maru 2vessel.

“It was stationary at the time. It tried to back out of the way but the Shonan Maru 2 had it in its path and it cleaned it up. It’s still floating at the moment, but chances are it will take on water and sink. Mr Hansen said the crew of six were uninjured. “Everyone aboard is safe, we’ve managed to get everyone off and they’re ok. We have it all on film and we’re getting onto all the authorities at the moment.” [viaAustralian Herald Sun]

[UPDATE 2]The Japanese ships refused to acknowledge the May Day distress of the Ady Gil and used the incident to break away from the scene of the ramming. According to eyewitness Captain Chuck Swift on the Bob Barker, the attack happened while the vessels were dead in the water. The Shonan Maru No. 2 suddenly started up and deliberately rammed the Ady Gil ripping eight feet of the bow of the vessel completely off. According to Captain Swift, the vessel does not look like it will be saved. [viaSea Shepherd]

[UPDATE 3]The Sea Shepherd are now requesting that the Australian government send a naval vessel to restore the peace in the waters of the Australian Antarctic Territory.

[UPDATE 4]A video has been added to Youtube showing the Ady Gil confronting theNisshin Maru earlier today. The video was shot by an operator on the Japanese vessel.Spoiler: Doesn’t show much.

[UPDATE 6]The official Sea Shepherd account of the distress call has changed from the first release. It now reads “The Japanese ships initially refused to acknowledge the May Day distress of the Ady Gil, but ultimately did acknowledge the call. Despite acknowledging the call, they did not offer to assist the Ady Gil or the Bob Barker in any way.”

By Michael d’Estries
Found on the net by our news bot

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December 31st, 2009 by Editor

It’s no secret that Japan’s strategy of assigning a vessel to track the Sea Shepherd has proved to be a great success. Since launching Operation Waltzing Matilda in early December,Paul Watsonand his crew have had great difficulty shaking the tail of the Shonan Maru #2 and locating the Japanese whaling fleet. Having someone radio their position at all times to keep the whalers one step ahead of them has been effective — so much so, that the Steve Irwin took the past three days to regroup and refuelback in port in Hobart, Tasmania.

“Now the task is to refuel and slip past them and back into the Southern Ocean to find the main body of the whaling fleet,”Watson wrote on his blog.

In an encouraging show of support, a private vessel set out yesterday to search for the Shonan Maru #2 off of the Australian EEZ just south of Hobart. “The vessel is crewed by 6 people and has no links to any conservation group,” an email we received read. “They are just 6 guys who want to help.”

“The boat intends to find the Shonan Maru and then follow her andrelay her co-ordinates on twitterso that the Shonan Maru cannot sneak up on the Steve Irwin when she leaves port. The boat intends to only monitor the Shonan Maru #2 however should the Shonan Maru attack the crew is prepared to defend the boat and will not back down.”

According to the latest Twitter updates, the Steve Irwin has left port and the crew of the unnamed vessel have stepped up their efforts to locate the SM2. Since we know the Japanese also used aircraft in their initial spotting of the SS leaving port, we wouldn’t be surprised if something similar occurs yet again. Either way, as Watson pointed out in an earlier post, such tactics are costing the Japanese whaling fleet a great deal of cash. “We have cut their quotas and stolen their profits for three years in a row and I intend to make it a fourth,” he wrote.

Check out a recent video of the Ady Gil making getting in the way of the Shonan Maru #2 below:

By Michael d’Estries
Found on the net by our news bot

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December 21st, 2009 by Editor

A beautiful shot taken aboard theSea ShepherdSteve Irwinshowing the Japanese Harpoon shipShonan Maru No 2coming into view from behind an iceberg.

Captain Paul Watsonand his crewused these massive bergs early in their campaignto surprise the Japanese ship and turn the tables on their stalking.

Currently, theSteve Irwinis once again on the move after enjoying a few days rest in the company of scientists and conservationistswhile anchored in Commonwealth Bay. Their new stealth boat, the Ady Gil,is expected to rendezvouswith the Irwin any day now. Check out additional photos from the current campaign below.

By Michael d’Estries
Found on the net by our news bot

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