Ady Gil skipper boards Japanese whaling ship
- Mon, 15 Feb 2010
Pete Bethune, skipper of round-the-world trimaran Ady Gil, has successfully boarded the Japanese ship which collided with and sank his boat to attempt a citizen's arrest on its captain.
Bethune, pictured here during an interview with Motor Boats Monthly, was on board his boat, formerly known as Earthrace, when it was struck by the Japanese vessel Shonan Maru No 2 in January.
Ady Gil was left with a large section of its nose missing following the collision, and later sank.
Bethune managed to climb on board the Japanese ship under the cover of darkness at 0629 (Perth time). He was taken to the side of the whaling ship on a personal watercraft driven by Briton Larry Routledge.
"The Jet Ski lay in wait for the Shonan Maru No 2 to approach. With the Japanese vessel making 14 knots through the water, Routledge manoeuvred the Jet Ski into position under the anti-boarding spikes along the port side of the Shonan Maru No 2," the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said in a statement.
"Captain Bethune made the jump and climbed on board the whaling ship without being noticed."
Bethune plans to present the Japanese captain with a bill of $3m - the cost of replacing Ady Gil - and demand that he surrender himself to Sea Shepherd or take his ship to the nearest Australian or New Zealand port to turn himself in for the attempted murder of the six crew on board Ady Gil at the time of the collision.
Sea Shepherd added that it believed the Japanese ship would hold Bethune as a captive.
"This was an impossible mission," said Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson.
"Captain Bethune boarded a Japanese whaling fleet security ship at high speed in total darkness, breached the spikes and anti-boarding nets and is presently on board. He is there to demand justice for the sinking of his ship."
Have your say!
Latest comments
October 26 16:47
John Kinsey
Whaling ships and whalers in general are quite used to destroying life the only difference here is the large black object is a boat and not a whale! They are part of a brutal, corrupt industry sanctioned by a corrupt brutal government. I wish him well and can fully understand his anger and frustration. If they are in the wrong then they must pay.
December 14 13:02
Woff
If he fails others will follow, that is the nature of free men. To do nothing is stupid Joe, there is no coming back from extinction. I’m sure you don’t think the pointless, brutal and illegal slaughter of these animals is expectable. History shows us the triadic results of complacency, I would suggest you direct you criticism toward the New Zealand government for failing to fulfil its obligation to its citizens and its wildlife. I would encourage anyone with the courage to take a stand against the inhuman and illegal treatment of wild animals or oppressed people. Enjoy your freedom but take a moment to thank your ancestors who made it possible.
December 22 09:23
DJB
Dear Joe & Anon - This is a man fighting against the extinction of sealife, and illegal whaling practices. He may be optimistic in his mission, but at least he is doing something!I am all for his actions. Now go back to your admin jobs and be quiet.
January 25 17:53
Paul T
Well done Pete Bethune! Non-violent but dramatic protest and very, very brave! He deserves the support of those of us who love and enjoy the sea, and want to see the magnificent mammals that live in it protected from exploitation and cruelty.