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Japan whalers 'ram' activist boat | Japan whalers 'ram' activist boat |
(9 minutes later) | |
Anti-whaling activists have accused a Japanese vessel of ramming their high-tech speed boat during a confrontation in the Southern Ocean. | Anti-whaling activists have accused a Japanese vessel of ramming their high-tech speed boat during a confrontation in the Southern Ocean. |
Video of the incident appeared to show the Japanese ship severely damaging the Ady Gil, but all six crew were rescued. | Video of the incident appeared to show the Japanese ship severely damaging the Ady Gil, but all six crew were rescued. |
Earlier the campaigners - who are trying to stop Japan's whaling fleet - said they threw chemicals onto the whaling boat to prevent it being used. | Earlier the campaigners - who are trying to stop Japan's whaling fleet - said they threw chemicals onto the whaling boat to prevent it being used. |
The whalers said the activists tried to tangle their propeller with a rope. | The whalers said the activists tried to tangle their propeller with a rope. |
'Whale war' | 'Whale war' |
In recent years the two sides have regularly confronted each other in the waters around the Antarctic. | In recent years the two sides have regularly confronted each other in the waters around the Antarctic. |
THE LEGALITIES OF WHALING Objection - A country formally objects to the IWC moratorium, declaring itself exempt. Example: NorwayScientific - A nation issues unilateral 'scientific permits'; any IWC member can do this. Example: JapanAboriginal - IWC grants permits to indigenous groups for subsistence food. Example: Alaskan Inupiat | |
Sea Shepherd spokesman Paul Watson said the incident had turned the confrontations between the whalers and the activists into a "real whale war". | Sea Shepherd spokesman Paul Watson said the incident had turned the confrontations between the whalers and the activists into a "real whale war". |
A statement on the Sea Shepherd website said a Japanese vessel that was accompanying the Nisshin Maru whaler "deliberately rammed" the Ady Gil, a high-tech speed boat that resembles a stealth bomber, shearing off its bow. | A statement on the Sea Shepherd website said a Japanese vessel that was accompanying the Nisshin Maru whaler "deliberately rammed" the Ady Gil, a high-tech speed boat that resembles a stealth bomber, shearing off its bow. |
The crew of the Ady Gil, five from New Zealander and one from the Netherlands, were picked up unharmed by nearby Sea Shepherd vessel Bob Barker near Commonwealth Bay. | The crew of the Ady Gil, five from New Zealander and one from the Netherlands, were picked up unharmed by nearby Sea Shepherd vessel Bob Barker near Commonwealth Bay. |
"The Ady Gil is believed to be sinking and chances of salvage are very grim," the Sea Shepherd statement said. | "The Ady Gil is believed to be sinking and chances of salvage are very grim," the Sea Shepherd statement said. |
A video apparently shot from on board the Japanese vessel showed the two ships smashing into each other at speed. | A video apparently shot from on board the Japanese vessel showed the two ships smashing into each other at speed. |
The Ady Gil was swamped by waves, its nose was torn off and damage could be seen to its side. | The Ady Gil was swamped by waves, its nose was torn off and damage could be seen to its side. |
Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR), which administers the hunt, accused Sea Shepherd of using the Ady Gil to attack its vessels. | |
They alleged the trimaran speedboat came dangerously close to the Nisshin Maru, trying to entangle its rudder and propeller with a rope and launching stink bombs at the vessel. | They alleged the trimaran speedboat came dangerously close to the Nisshin Maru, trying to entangle its rudder and propeller with a rope and launching stink bombs at the vessel. |
"The Sea Shepherd extremism is becoming more violent... Their actions are nothing but felonious behaviour," the (ICR) said in a statement. | "The Sea Shepherd extremism is becoming more violent... Their actions are nothing but felonious behaviour," the (ICR) said in a statement. |
Japan's fisheries agency said it was the fourth time this season that the anti-whaling activists had interfered with the whaling fleet's operations, Kyodo news agency reported. | Japan's fisheries agency said it was the fourth time this season that the anti-whaling activists had interfered with the whaling fleet's operations, Kyodo news agency reported. |
The Sea Shepherd group sends boats to Antarctic waters each year aiming to disrupt the Japanese hunt. | |
Japan abandoned commercial whaling in 1986 after agreeing to a global moratorium; but international rules allow it to continue hunting under the auspices of a research programme. | |
Conservationists say the whaling is a cover for the sale and consumption of whale meat. Current Japanese programmes aim for a total catch of more than 1,000 whales per year. | |
THE ADY GIL The Ady Gil, formerly Earthrace, was designed for a successful round-the-world speed powerboat record attempt in 2008. It was acquired by Sea Shepherd last year and renamed after a Hollywood businessman benefactor. 1. The hull is described as a wave-piercing trimaran. It is made out of carbon fibre with a foam core, but has had Kevlar armour added to defend against ice. It is capable of submarining up to 7m (23ft) underwater.2. Much of the helm was originally modelled on a racing car. It was fitted with racing-style seats and a carbon steering wheel. Its windscreen is 17mm laminated toughened glass.3. Power comes from two 540 hp engines, and the boat can reach speeds of more than 40 knots (75km/h). It runs on biodiesel fuel and has a range of between 2,000 (2,700km) and 13,000 nautical miles depending on speed.4. The 14-tonne vessel's distinctive horns act as ducts to channel hot air from the engines and suck in cool air. The interior has space for six beds. Sources: Sea Shepherd, Earthrace, Craig Loomes Design Group |