Sea Shepherd indeed adds Earthrace vessel and a water cannon to anti-whaling campaign

[flvegan]

The anti-whaling activists plan to upgrade their fleet from an ageing, former North Atlantic fisheries patrol boat to include another ship - something out of the future. The global speedboat Earthrace would head south under Sea Shepherd colours next summer, the group's leader Paul Watson said.

"It looks like a spaceship. It can do 40 knots and dive under waves completely. We'll be using it to intercept and block harpoons."

In 61 days last year Earthrace circled the globe fuelled by biodiesel. The New Zealand owner/skipper, Pete Bethune, said he decided to become involved because "this is happening in my backyard and it really pisses me off. I'm going to make a stand."

He said he was adding half a tonne of Kevlar to the vessel to toughen it against the ice. It had the endurance to go half way round the world on a tank of fuel.

"They won't get away from me," he said.

<snip>

Watson said the Steve Irwin was soon to leave Brisbane for Hobart after a $500,000 refit. Its buckled hull plates had been repaired, and it was fitted with a powerful water cannon on the bow to match the whalers'.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/spaceship-boosts-antiwhaling-force-against-japans-might-20090626-cyi4.html

Earthrace will allegedly be painted black to match the Steve Irwin. I can't wait.

[CrispyQ]

1. Damn! I've never seen anything like that!

You guys gotta click the link & see this thing from the front!

I do love Paul Watson. I think I'll send them a little something extra besides my monthly contribution.

[LaurenG]

2. That's an amazing vessel. Thanks for keeping us updated

and sorry I nevr say much but I read what you post about Sea Shepherd.

[Robeson]

3. Looking Good....

...:thumbsup:

[Ignis]

4. From the article:

An official from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, David Dutton, told the 71-nation meeting in Madeira that the Rudd Government was deeply concerned about clashes in the Southern Ocean.

Then maybe the Aussie Navy should send along some ships to escort and protect the Earthrace from whaling ships. :)