Sea Shepherd intercepts Japanese whaling fleet

Urgent Release

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship Farley Mowat intercepted the Japanese whaling fleet at 0400 Hours on Christmas day.

Captain Paul Watson calculated a possible interception course by dropping out of the chase behind the Greenpeace ships Esperanza and Arctic Sunrise. He headed due west and caught the fleet as they attempted to head south towards Porpoise Bay.

At 0200 Hours they were spotted on radar. The Farley Mowat passed the Esperanza and headed to the Nisshin Maru coming alongside the Japanese factory ship.

The Nisshin sped up as the Farley Mowat came alongside. A few moments later the factory ship turned and came towards the Farley Mowat despite the fact that the Farley Mowat on the starboard side of the Nisshin Maru had the right of way.

Both ships were on a collision course and the Nisshin Maru's bow was plunging high out of the water as she came at full speed towards the Farley Mowat.

Captain Watson ordered a mooring line deployed behind the Farley Mowat. As soon as the Nisshin Maru saw the line they turned and backed off to avoid their prop being fouled.

At 0600 Hours the Nisshin Maru was heading west into heavy seas with the Farley Mowat on her tail.

Captain Watson notified the Nisshin Maru that they were in violation of International law and that acting under the authority of the United Nations World Charter for Nature, he was ordering them to depart the Southern Oceans and return to Japan.

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This message has been sent from the M/Y Farley Mowat
This message has been authorized by Captain Paul Watson and/or First Officer Alex Cornelissen.

Source: Further information on the voyages of the Farley Mowat
Author: Sea Shepherd

Link: Cowardly Pirate Whalers Flee from the Whaling Grounds


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