Anti-whaling ship Bob Barker 'rammed' in Southern Ocean
- Mon, 8 Feb 2010
Just weeks after a collision in the Southern Ocean that sent round-the-world trimaran Ady Gil to the ocean floor, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has had another brutal run-in with Japanese whalers.
This time the collision involved Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker and Japanese harpoon ship Yushin Maru 3, and happened 180 miles off Cape Darnlet in Australian Antarctic Territory.
No one was hurt in the collision, but a 3ft-long, 4in-deep gash was left in the side of Bob Barker above the waterline, according to Sea Shepherd.
"The Bob Barker had been actively blocking the slipway of the Nisshin Maru, the Japanese whaling fleet's factory ship, when the collision occurred," Sea Shepherd said.
"Four harpoon ships, the Yushin Maru 1, 2, and 3 and Shonan Maru 2, were circling and making near passes to the stern and bow of the Sea Shepherd vessel. The Bob Barker did not move from its position. At which point, the Yushin Maru 3 intentionally rammed the Bob Barker."
The collision marks a further escalation in the ongoing battle to prevent whaling in the Southern Ocean, which Sea Shepherd considers to be illegal.
Photo credit: Glenn Lockitch/Sea Shepherd
Have your say!
Latest comments
February 16 09:54
Trudi Rankin
Good on the Sea Shepherd and it's brave compassionate crew. Time the Japanese stopped this vile practice and realise money can be made by watching these beautiful creatures.
February 17 13:25
Jack Weaver
The ramming of the protesters vessel is further proof that the aggressive Japanese whalers should be arrested and banned
February 19 23:47
Todd
I believe the Captain of the Sea Sheperd sometimes puts his crew in peril with his recless antics.
July 23 00:56
Mark
The Japanese government is grossely negligent in continuing with commercial whaling under the guise of "research". Painting the side of your ship with the word "RESEARCH" does not acquit or absolve the government or these people from deliberately violating the IWC sanctioned morratorium on whaling. This is a sham and these people should go back to their home waters ashamed of what they have done....NOW!!!!!!!!