chimx
13th February 2007, 05:33
THE crew of a Japanese whaling ship has issued a distress call and labelled activists "eco-terrorists" following collisions in Antarctica's icy waters today.
New Zealand authorities said the Japanese vessel, Kaiko Maru, put out a distress call this afternoon, saying it had collided with two ships crewed by activists from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
"There was a distress call put out by the Kaiko Maru ... It said it had collided with two of the Sea Shepherd vessels," said Lindsay Sturt from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre of New Zealand (RCCNZ).
Authorities were trying to ascertain whether anyone had been injured or if help needed to be sent, but there were not yet any plans to send assistance.
But Sea Shepherd leader, Captain Paul Watson, said there was only one collision - involving the group's protest ship, the Robert Hunter - and the Kaiko Maru.
Mr Watson blamed the incident on the whaling vessel, saying it had "backed up and hit" the Robert Hunter, which had earlier tried to force the Japanese ship into part of the sea heavy with ice.
The action was taken after the whaling ship was seen bearing down on a pod of whales, Mr Watson said.
"At one point the Kaiko Maru turned to starboard and struck the Robert Hunter," the Sea Shepherd group said.
"The Kaiko Maru has issued a distress signal. We have acknowledged this distress signal but they refuse to say what distress they are in."
Mr Watson said the collision had torn a hole about 30cm in diameter in the hull of the Robert Hunter, but he did not believe it was large enough to sink it.
Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) has accused Sea Shepherd protesters of using the tactics of pirates.
"Eco-terrorist group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has rammed and damaged one of the Japanese research fleet," the Institute said.
"Afterwards, both the Robert Hunter and the Farley Mowat came to the either side of the Kaiko Maru, stopping her from continuing. This was done in the same manner employed by pirates.
"Its propeller (the Kaiko Maru's) has been damaged by them. The vessel is stranded at the moment and has already put out several distress calls."
Sea Shepherd activists have been facing off against the whalers north of the Balleny Islands, west of the Ross Sea, trying to stop Japan's controversial annual whale hunt.
Last week, the rival groups called a temporary truce as the whaling ships joined in the search for two protesters who became lost while trying to foul the propeller of one of the Japanese vessels.
The pair, including Australian Karl Neilsen, were found safe about seven hours later, and hostilities quickly resumed.
International director of Sea Shepherd Jonny Vasic was aboard the Robert Hunter when today's collision occurred.
"It was a loud noise - a big bang. I actually shuddered a bit," Mr Vasic said.
"The ships collided two times, once side by side, and once when they rammed into us.
"I haven't inspected it yet, but they did some damage to our hull."
Mr Vasic said the damage would "absolutely not" stop protesters' activities.
"We are here to keep those guys out of the whale sanctuary. We are not damaged beyond repair. We are still seaworthy," Mr Vasic said.
Another environment group in the Antarctic waters, Greenpeace, condemned the clash.
Karli Thomas, the expedition leader on Greenpeace vessel, the Esperanza, said the focus should be on saving whales, not damaging ships.
"We completely condemn any violent action by anyone. Potentially endangering lives in the middle of the Southern Ocean is unacceptable," Mr Thomas said.
The Esperanza, which has been searching for the Japanese whaling fleet, is headed directly towards the co-ordinates given in the distress call.
Earlier today captain Mr Watson said today the Farley Mowat was almost out of fuel and he was considering giving the Japanese whaling ship, the Nisshin Maru, a "steel enema" by ramming it.
Mr Watson said his boat was now seen as a pirate vessel, and he would rather lose it in defence of whales than to bureaucrats.
Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace vessels have run campaigns of interference in recent years aimed at frustrating Japan's whale hunt.
Japan continues to claim its hunt is for scientific purposes but admits whale meat from the catch ends up on restaurant tables.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21210993-2,00.html
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Most whales are endangered species thanks to capitalist sea exploitation. Japan allows nearly 1000 minke whales to be killed annually, "for scientific purposes." Assholes...
New Zealand authorities said the Japanese vessel, Kaiko Maru, put out a distress call this afternoon, saying it had collided with two ships crewed by activists from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
"There was a distress call put out by the Kaiko Maru ... It said it had collided with two of the Sea Shepherd vessels," said Lindsay Sturt from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre of New Zealand (RCCNZ).
Authorities were trying to ascertain whether anyone had been injured or if help needed to be sent, but there were not yet any plans to send assistance.
But Sea Shepherd leader, Captain Paul Watson, said there was only one collision - involving the group's protest ship, the Robert Hunter - and the Kaiko Maru.
Mr Watson blamed the incident on the whaling vessel, saying it had "backed up and hit" the Robert Hunter, which had earlier tried to force the Japanese ship into part of the sea heavy with ice.
The action was taken after the whaling ship was seen bearing down on a pod of whales, Mr Watson said.
"At one point the Kaiko Maru turned to starboard and struck the Robert Hunter," the Sea Shepherd group said.
"The Kaiko Maru has issued a distress signal. We have acknowledged this distress signal but they refuse to say what distress they are in."
Mr Watson said the collision had torn a hole about 30cm in diameter in the hull of the Robert Hunter, but he did not believe it was large enough to sink it.
Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) has accused Sea Shepherd protesters of using the tactics of pirates.
"Eco-terrorist group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has rammed and damaged one of the Japanese research fleet," the Institute said.
"Afterwards, both the Robert Hunter and the Farley Mowat came to the either side of the Kaiko Maru, stopping her from continuing. This was done in the same manner employed by pirates.
"Its propeller (the Kaiko Maru's) has been damaged by them. The vessel is stranded at the moment and has already put out several distress calls."
Sea Shepherd activists have been facing off against the whalers north of the Balleny Islands, west of the Ross Sea, trying to stop Japan's controversial annual whale hunt.
Last week, the rival groups called a temporary truce as the whaling ships joined in the search for two protesters who became lost while trying to foul the propeller of one of the Japanese vessels.
The pair, including Australian Karl Neilsen, were found safe about seven hours later, and hostilities quickly resumed.
International director of Sea Shepherd Jonny Vasic was aboard the Robert Hunter when today's collision occurred.
"It was a loud noise - a big bang. I actually shuddered a bit," Mr Vasic said.
"The ships collided two times, once side by side, and once when they rammed into us.
"I haven't inspected it yet, but they did some damage to our hull."
Mr Vasic said the damage would "absolutely not" stop protesters' activities.
"We are here to keep those guys out of the whale sanctuary. We are not damaged beyond repair. We are still seaworthy," Mr Vasic said.
Another environment group in the Antarctic waters, Greenpeace, condemned the clash.
Karli Thomas, the expedition leader on Greenpeace vessel, the Esperanza, said the focus should be on saving whales, not damaging ships.
"We completely condemn any violent action by anyone. Potentially endangering lives in the middle of the Southern Ocean is unacceptable," Mr Thomas said.
The Esperanza, which has been searching for the Japanese whaling fleet, is headed directly towards the co-ordinates given in the distress call.
Earlier today captain Mr Watson said today the Farley Mowat was almost out of fuel and he was considering giving the Japanese whaling ship, the Nisshin Maru, a "steel enema" by ramming it.
Mr Watson said his boat was now seen as a pirate vessel, and he would rather lose it in defence of whales than to bureaucrats.
Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace vessels have run campaigns of interference in recent years aimed at frustrating Japan's whale hunt.
Japan continues to claim its hunt is for scientific purposes but admits whale meat from the catch ends up on restaurant tables.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21210993-2,00.html
-----
Most whales are endangered species thanks to capitalist sea exploitation. Japan allows nearly 1000 minke whales to be killed annually, "for scientific purposes." Assholes...