From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Sea Shepherd awaits second vessel to shake Japanese shadow
Captain Paul Watson said that he will try to lose the tail in heavier ice conditions "We will use the icebergs and the ice floes to our advantage." Said Captain Paul Watson. "I've observed today that I am a more experienced ice navigator than the Japanese captain chasing us. We need to get him to follow us into the ice fields and let the ice work for us."
By tailing the Sea Shepherd ship, the master of the Japanese ship is able to keep the whaling fleet informed of the latest position so the fleet can avoid a confrontation. The Japanese are spending a great deal of money dedicating two ships to shadow Sea Shepherd, although at the moment only one has been identified so far.
Captain Paul Watson said that he will try to lose the tail in heavier ice conditions "We will use the icebergs and the ice floes to our advantage." Said Captain Paul Watson. "I've observed today that I am a more experienced ice navigator than the Japanese captain chasing us. We need to get him to follow us into the ice fields and let the ice work for us."
On December 17 Sea Shepherd sought and was granted permission to enter French Antarctic territorial waters near the French Base at Dumont D'Urville. The Shonan Maru No. 2 followed the Steve Irwin into French waters without permission. When Sea Shepherd launched their helicopter to film the pursuit, the Japanese ship activated their Long Range Acoustical Device (LRAD) at the Sea Shepherd helicopter.
"This was an extremely irresponsible thing to do," said helicopter pilot Chris Aultman. "That device can cause nausea and disorientation and the use of it against an aircraft is both extremely dangerous and grossly irresponsible."
The helicopter returned to the Steve Irwin for safety, howver the Shonan Maru No. 2 increased speed and aimed their two watercannons at the helicopter deck. Captain Watson responded by ordering the deployment of a 150-meter line aft of the vessel to force the Shonan Maru No. 2 to maintain a safe distance.
In a press statement the Japanese Institute for Cetacean Research has accused Sea Shepherd of attacking it's ship, the Shonan Maru No. 2, including use of a green laser device. Paul Watson confirmed on his myspace blog that the "Steve Irwin crew did use a photonic laser to warn the Japanese whalers off from their aggressive attack on the Sea Shepherd ship."
The following day helicopter pilot Chris Aultman and Steve Irwin's First Officer Locky MacLean visited the French base at Dumont d' Urville. The French base comander, Marie France Roy, the District Chief for Terre Adelie presented Locky MacLean with a plaque for the Steve Irwin and a letter of support. The letter states "Our sympathy goes out towards this ship's activities in enforcing the recommendations of the International Whaling Commission."
The Steve Irwin is waiting at anchor off the Adelie Coast for three days to meet up with the Sea Shepherd vessel Ady Gil. The Ady Gil left Hobbart on December 19. The Ady Gil has greater speed than the Japanese vessels and will be able to shake any tail and do reconnaissance of its own to find the whaling fleet and communicate the position to the Steve Irwin.
"Once we unite with our other vessel we should be in a position to seriously turn the tables on this Japanese security ship that is stalking us," said Captain Paul Watson.
=====================
Photo Courtesy ICR: "2009.12.17 - Further, the Steve Irwin shot a high-power green laser which was directed against the Shonan Maru No.2 crew."
Captain Paul Watson said that he will try to lose the tail in heavier ice conditions "We will use the icebergs and the ice floes to our advantage." Said Captain Paul Watson. "I've observed today that I am a more experienced ice navigator than the Japanese captain chasing us. We need to get him to follow us into the ice fields and let the ice work for us."
On December 17 Sea Shepherd sought and was granted permission to enter French Antarctic territorial waters near the French Base at Dumont D'Urville. The Shonan Maru No. 2 followed the Steve Irwin into French waters without permission. When Sea Shepherd launched their helicopter to film the pursuit, the Japanese ship activated their Long Range Acoustical Device (LRAD) at the Sea Shepherd helicopter.
"This was an extremely irresponsible thing to do," said helicopter pilot Chris Aultman. "That device can cause nausea and disorientation and the use of it against an aircraft is both extremely dangerous and grossly irresponsible."
The helicopter returned to the Steve Irwin for safety, howver the Shonan Maru No. 2 increased speed and aimed their two watercannons at the helicopter deck. Captain Watson responded by ordering the deployment of a 150-meter line aft of the vessel to force the Shonan Maru No. 2 to maintain a safe distance.
In a press statement the Japanese Institute for Cetacean Research has accused Sea Shepherd of attacking it's ship, the Shonan Maru No. 2, including use of a green laser device. Paul Watson confirmed on his myspace blog that the "Steve Irwin crew did use a photonic laser to warn the Japanese whalers off from their aggressive attack on the Sea Shepherd ship."
The following day helicopter pilot Chris Aultman and Steve Irwin's First Officer Locky MacLean visited the French base at Dumont d' Urville. The French base comander, Marie France Roy, the District Chief for Terre Adelie presented Locky MacLean with a plaque for the Steve Irwin and a letter of support. The letter states "Our sympathy goes out towards this ship's activities in enforcing the recommendations of the International Whaling Commission."
The Steve Irwin is waiting at anchor off the Adelie Coast for three days to meet up with the Sea Shepherd vessel Ady Gil. The Ady Gil left Hobbart on December 19. The Ady Gil has greater speed than the Japanese vessels and will be able to shake any tail and do reconnaissance of its own to find the whaling fleet and communicate the position to the Steve Irwin.
"Once we unite with our other vessel we should be in a position to seriously turn the tables on this Japanese security ship that is stalking us," said Captain Paul Watson.
=====================
Photo Courtesy ICR: "2009.12.17 - Further, the Steve Irwin shot a high-power green laser which was directed against the Shonan Maru No.2 crew."
For more information:
http://www.seashepherd.org
Add Your Comments
Latest Comments
Listed below are the latest comments about this post.
These comments are submitted anonymously by website visitors.
TITLE
AUTHOR
DATE
Merci Sea Shepherd !
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:15AM
Correct Aplication of Article Nine of the anti-fascist Constitution of Japan Could Solve.
Mon, Dec 21, 2009 12:02PM
SSCS is doing good work!
Mon, Dec 21, 2009 10:07AM
Whales not Circus
Mon, Dec 21, 2009 9:02AM
Sea Shepard is Continuing the Legitimate Liberation Unity and Struggle to Save the Whales.
Mon, Dec 21, 2009 3:56AM
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network