Sea Shepherd Ship Blocks Transfer of Killed Whale and Encounters Harpoon Ship

[Annces]

Run time: 03:14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HD2TpLifYM   Posted on YouTube: February 06, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: February 06, 2009 By DU Member: Annces Views on DU: 893

 

February 6th, 2009, 1830 Hours (Sydney Time)
2330 Hours (PST) (February 5th)
75 Degrees 52 Minutes South and 165 Degrees 18 Minutes West

At 1800 Hours the harpoon vessels Yushin Maru No. 1 and the Yushin Maru No.3 decided to run the Sea Shepherd blockade to transfer two dead whales to the flensing deck of the Nisshin Maru. The Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin was blocking the slipway to prevent the transfer in order to shut down the illegal Japanese whaling operations.

As the Nisshin Maru attempted to hook onto the dead whale, the Steve Irwin and the Yushin Maru No.3 collided with the forward starboard side of the Steve Irwin and the port stern side of the harpoon vessel coming together.

"We told them to not continue their illegal whaling operations and that we would be blocking the stern slipway of the factory ship," said Captain Paul Watson. "They decided to test our resolve and apparently expected us to retreat when they charged in ahead of us to make the transfer."

Captain Watson said that the Steve Irwin became difficult to control under a barrage of metal objects, blasts from the water cannons, and the disorientation caused by the LRAD acoustic weapons that the whalers were using on the conservationists.

"I was dazed by the sonic blasts being used on us at close range." said Captain Watson. "I have to admit it was difficult to concentrate with that devise being focused on us."

"I've never felt anything quite like it," said Emily Hunter from Toronto, Canada. "It penetrates the body and you can feel your muscles vibrating. It made me dizzy and left me somewhat dazed."

The Steve Irwin suffered no noticeable damage from the collision and no one was seriously injured. A few of the Sea Shepherd crew were struck by golf balls and pieces of metal. The crew of the Steve Irwin were unable to determine if there was any damage done to the harpoon hunter killer boat.

The two whales were transferred after the Steve Irwin shut down the operations of the fleet for twelve hours.

"We are trying to make this as difficult as possible for them to continue their illegal activities, "said Molly Kendall from Adelaide, South Australia. "It is difficult to see them murdering these whales and we are determined to do everything we possibly can to stop this horrific slaughter."

The Steve Irwin remains on the tail of the Nisshin Maru to attempt to obstruct any further transfers in an effort to stop the unlawful poaching of the whales by the Japanese whaling fleet.

"I wish we did not have to be down here in this dangerous situation," said Captain Watson. "I've said repeatedly that if Australia or New Zealand would agree to take Japan to the international court on this than we would back off. Because international law is not being enforced, we have no choice but to do what we can with the resources available to us to defend these endangered whales in this established international whale sanctuary."

[Bonobo]

1. It's fun until someone gets hurt.

Come on all you unemployed,idealistic semi-nihilistic college age kids, join my crew! I can't pay you, but you can have high sea adventures and save the planet at the same time!

Whales are sentient, loving creatures (unlike those Japs!), angels of the sea, in fact!

ALL whales are equally endangered! Killing even one of them will destroy the precious balance of the eco-system (and they're cute too!)!

So come one, come all! It'll be fun!

[Butch350]

2. Out your blow hole!

[Akoto]

8. I appreciate the creative sarcasm, but ...

The reality is that many whales are endangered, and a large number of them lost would be a significant problem for their survival. I fully support any non-violent measures taken to deter their being hunted. The method may be wrong, but the cause is right.

The whole pretense of this being for scientific research is absurd. They want the meat, which is a tragedy given its unpopularity. Most of Japan's young people don't even find it appealing. It's an effort to keep a dying industry alive and, I would guess, to assert some sort of authority in the face of global opposition.

[Bonobo]

9. I think you are 100% correct.

I take no issue with anything you said.

[thereismore]

3. This has a really incredibly annoying soundtrack, so watch with no sound. nt

[southpaw]

5. Amen to that.

Horrid, horrid music... and I use the term 'music' very liberally in this instance.

[Renew Deal]

4. This pretty clearly shows the "protesters" are at fault for the collision

Dangerously stupid

[Bonobo]

6. Honestly someone could easily get killed.

Very easy to demonize people. Very easy to be self-righteous,

Better to examine your own faults, or your own country's faults and work to change them. Peacefully.

Plenty of work to do here. Plenty.

[Bonobo]

7. After watching, I must say.

They are pirates.

They have equipped their ship with a ramming can-opener device and are now intentionally putting people's lives at risk, the whaler's and their own.

I think they should be removed from the ocean by force now. They clearly have murderous intent now.

Indefensible. Those whalers have families, you know. Children, wives and mothers, as do the kids who Steve Watson manipulates and mistreats.

[ro1942]

10. whales can't peacefully protest.

what ever it takes to stop this needless slaughter is find with me. love that capt. watson.

[trumad]

11. Wow!

You clearly have an agenda.

You absolutely support whaling and won't admit it.

[Bonobo]

14. Wow!~~ Not true!

[peace13]

15. You don't have to support whaling to be appalled by the actions of the crazy captain.

As a sailor I have been disgusted and frightened by the methods used by these 'activists'. They are lawless and then present themselves as victims. There must be a better way. An added note, it is rude to call out people here.

[Bonobo]

16. Thank you. Watch the video. It is shocking to see the ramming.

These are icy waters. Death would come quickly to anyone falling in. Also, a disabled ship would quickly be in danger and at the mercy of the waves.

That protest ship has been specially modified (they brag about it themselves) to be able to ram and destroy other vessels.

To humanize the whales and at the same time dehumanize the whalers is really silly and wrong-headed.

PINO = Progressive in name only.

[Blaq Dem]

12. 'Sea Shepherd Ship', say it fast 3 times!

Sea Shepherd Ship,
Sea Shepherd Ship,
Sea Shepherd Ship,...

[Blaq Dem]

13. [deleted]