Sea Shepherd Ship Bob Barker is Rammed by Illegal Whaler

At 1209 PM Fremantle, Australia time, the Yushin Maru 3 intentionally rammed the Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker, penetrating it's hull and endangering the lives of it¹s crew. The collision occurred at 65 degrees 21 South, 67 degrees 58 East, about 180 miles off Cape Darnley in the Australian Antarctic Territory.

The Bob Barker had been actively blocking the slipway of the Nisshin Maru, the Japanese whaling fleets factory ship when the collision occurred. 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, creating a 3-foot long 4-inch deep gash in the mid starboard side of the Sea Shepherd vessel above the waterline.

No crew was injured during the collision. The Bob Barker continues to block the slipway of the Nisshin Maru, preventing the transfer of slaughtered whales and effectively shutting down illegal whaling operations.

The incident demonstrates a continued escalation of violence by the illegal whalers in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

Said Captain Paul Watson from the bridge of the Steve Irwin, currently en route to join the action, Because the whalers got away basically scot-free with the outrageous sinking of the Ady Gil, they now apparently think they can do whatever they want and they appear to have no qualms about endangering Sea Shepherd crew. What we really need is for the governments of Australia and New Zealand to step up and start enforcing maritime laws in these waters, or who know what the whalers will do next. Australian and New Zealand lives are at risk every day in these waters."

The crew of the Bob Barker noticed that the Yushin Maru 3 stopped moving in the water shortly after the impact, and appeared to be falling behind as the Bob Barker maintained its position on the stern of the Nisshin Maru. Its possible the Yushin Maru 3 damaged itself in the collision.

The Japanese whalers are far more aggressive this year than in past campaigns.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Sea
• Shepherd
• Ship
• Bob
• Barker
• is
• rammed
• paul
• watson
• whaling
• japan
• illegal

[outfoxedatwister]

You can HEAR the props of the Yushin Maru clanging and chewing on metal. They definitely messed themselves up trying to be stupid and drive their props through the hull of the much thicker Bob Barker. For being such a technology savvy people, the Japanese obviously have no grasp of physics or law. Once again Japan shows their ignorance. They got off scott free with Ady Gil and tried to play with the bigger badder Barker. I hope their price is right when it comes to repairs!

GO SEA SHEPHERD!

[fred100446]

@outfoxedatwister hmm your right there is alot of clanging going on, could the props be out that far for it to reach Bob Barkers hull?

It would have two props, not a very wide ship, and hit on a angle due to Bob barker being heavier.... I guess it is viable. Would explain why the YM3 hasn't been spotted since.

[venturafor2012]

do you know where I can find the ICR video of the ramming? I know they have one... but I want it....

I just downloaded this one....

[fred100446]

@venturafor2012 surprise surprise, ICR did film it as seen in photos by the Bob barker, yet they refuse to upload. Wonder why? hiding something... all they wanted was a shot of the YM turning at last min so it looks like BB rammed them. So if they did show their footage it would prove this story wrong. It also should be noted another harpoon vessel was at the stern of BB missing it just by a few metres at the same time.

[Azrifel]

Traffic from the right can cross before the left. There is no case here.

[fred100446]

@Azrifel not entirely true, it needs to be determined if the YM was in a overtaking position where it has to give way to all vessels or if it was on a course from awhile back going in that direction.... and we got to see more footage but SS reports all 4 were circling the ship prior. Meaning the YM does not have the right of way. We shall be able to confirm it when all footage is released when they get back.

[sidewindermack]

I can't tell from this video who rammed who. I will take my ship out to watch this confrontation during the 2010/2011 season. I will not interfere with either side, just watch and film from my ship and from the air.

I am well aware of the rules of navigation, if they are obeyed there is no reason for ships to collide at sea. Whoever is doing the ramming will be exposed with proof.

[SeaShepherdSecurity]

Pete Bethune has officially boarded the Shonan Maru # 2!

[mcgherkinstudios]

For once I actually agree with Paul Watson. I think the governments should intervene. Whaling is something I hate, and illegal whaling is something I despise. Unfortunately, the governents don't want to intervene because it would risk their relationships with Japan. What kind of world do we live in where we don't want to punish criminals because they might not like us after? Politics... Eurgh.

I hope that whaler was damaged, because that's one less whaler in the world.

[finchcyb]

Hi outfox...

Good comment,

Just one thing - the Japanese are actually not that tech savvy if you research it closely

Just cheaper they were until Korea, china, et al came into their own.

Japan now struggles to compete - in very serious trouble they are.

First millions of battery recalls now thousands and thousands of Toyotas - and it wont stop there.

They are almost bankrupt and are cutting quality control massively to compete.

[finchcyb]

A very bid misconception is that Japan is intelligent and advanced.

Do some research on the country - and are quite backward actually.

Kids Porgn is still LEGAL in Japan

unbelievable!

And thats just one thing

[superesonator]

Japanimals are aggressive, but not terribly clever.

[superesonator]

the Japanimals aren't very bright.

[christianobong]

is very sad to know that the Japanese people still support this kind of act, a nation that is so advanced and intelligent practicing hunting in a whale sanctuary and still say it's just ... the search for who you want to cheat??