OUTRAGE! Ady Gil (Earthrace) trimaran rammed and sunk by jap whalers!

[bad dog]

OUTRAGE!!!

One of the most innovative vessels in the world - the recently renamed Ady Gil, previously Earthrace, a bio-diesel powered high speed trimaran - has been rammed, cut in half and and sunk by Japanese whaling fleet vessels, in Australian waters near Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica.

The boat was recently obtained by Sea Shepherd, an aggressive anti-whaling organisation, and was being used to peacefully and non-violently disrupt whale chasing operations in the Southern Ocean.

Initial reports from Sea Shepherd (yet to be verified) are that after the ramming the Japanese vessel, the Shonan Maru, did not respond to a Mayday call and sped from the scene, in further contravention of several fundamental laws of the sea, and the longstanding SOLAS Treaty, to which Japan is a signatory.

Whether or not you support whaling (and hopefully bloody not!!) no one can support this - it is one step short of an act of war. It is also a great waste of a beautiful and groundbreaking boat. Outrage at the Japanese bullsht pretense of "scientific research" is another part of the same story, but this is a multihull forum, not a cretaceous forum.

What are we going to do about it? Is there such a thing as global ethics? I've been pretty pssed off at these lying bstards and their harpoons for a while now, but tonight my anger has gone to a whole new level.

Come on!!! Are we, as sailors, going to stand for that kind of murderous behaviour toward fellow sailors? NOT THIS LITTLE BLACK DUCK!!!!!!

Sober up, and perhaps we'll talk.

[pacificproa]

I have had the honor of having paul as a dinner guest on my yacht.
He is a very honest man and his goal is clear!
The Japanese on the other hand behave like little weasels.

Like you said bad dog this is an act of war, but the Australian government is to weak to do some thing. they claim this `as there territorial, but fail to take responsibility.
Also there is the little detail that whaling is illegal!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bad dog]

See for youselves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anXPPTk-jY8

[bad dog]

Mark, I am ALWAYS sober!

I find that remark a little condescending, like I'm not in control of what I'm saying. I trust that was not your intention.

There is nothing wrong with passion and well-directed anger. I am angry, have been for some time. Deal with it.

If you think this kind of behaviour is ok, - - ???

Aust Environment Minister Garrett's call for "restraint" is good, but followed by what? - this situation is wrong, and wrongs have to be righted, soberly.

[Frosty]

Your youtube link seems to have been suspended and wont work.

But what happened did that little boat not see the big boat?

Whaling is one thing --collision and irresponsible seamanship is another.

They are totally separate. One has got nothing to do with the other.

I was always puzzled at kamikazi pilots during the war, now we got kamikazi Aussies that drive boats in front of whalers in some disillusioned thoughts that they wont run you down. Well know you know.

And the whaling continues now un hindered.

Okay, the reason the DAMNED, PIRATE, ILLEGAL, TERRORIST, Sea Shepherd boat was there was to disrupt a LEGAL whaling operation. You may not like whaling, you may feel that the whalers are cheating - then fight it in the courts. These Japanese mariners are professionals and I don't blame them if they DID ram the Sea Shepherd fools. BUT, a BIG BUT, look before you speak. The idiots are trying to tow warps to entangle the whalers props. They are using the much faster, more agile, stupid, ugly bat boat to run circles around the whaler, misjudged, because of likely not enuf brain cells left to SAY "motor coordination" - let alone HAVE enuf of it to time "not getting crunched."
The downside? None. One more for the Best of the Sea Shepherd Mishaps disc. Seen in this light, it's about time for the Japanese navy to defend their fleet, don't you think?

[pacificproa]

So frosty,
Two wrongs make a right?
Whaling is illegal!
Has been for a long time, same as killing a human.
Would you stop some one if they try to kill a human?
Wat's the difference between us silly stupid humans and a whale?
Whales don't kill each other, but humans do!!
We even try to kill our planet.

Not our place to say, and, if it IS, say it in court. These people (Sea Shepherd) are terrorists.
"Same as a human"? - you need help.

[bad dog]

ps - I do not support Sea Shepherd or any other person or orgnaisation risking life in any direct at sea. Note my use of the word "agressive" to describe them in my original post. They have in the past committed acts of violence principally against whaling vessels, when in harbour. To date they have not committed acts of violence against ships at sea, which is a different thing, and cannot be condoned.

[elhix]

'DAMNED PIRATE ILLEGAL TERRORIST' - really?! Do the Sea Shepherd lot practice piracy? Terrorism? How?

[bad dog]

Mark - the whaling is illegal if it is conducted in Australian waters. I am yet to see gov't confirmation of this, but that is what was reported.

I agree about the legalities and the need for court action, but at the end of the day, the Japanese thumb their noses at the international community, just as they are using an IWC loophole for commercial whaling.

Sea Shepherd's use of direct action in response to frustrations with the official channels may not make their actions right, but the video clearly shows that the Japanese made the collision course change. To call it an act of self defense is ridiculous - they have the tools to cut the lines, and probably have prop guards anyway - I think they might have anticipated this tactic, don't you? This really looks like a clear case of 'attempted sinking, if lives are lost bad luck'. It's not on.

[pacificproa]

Just to be clear!
No member of the shepherds has ever been convicted of a` crime related to the shepherds!!!
Paul Watson has international law and the United nations at his side!

You can judge who is breaking international law!
Whaling other than for research is illegal, that means selling whale meat like the Japanese do is illegal, way is` this so difficult to understand?

[Doug Lord]

What a shame-when the law doesn't protect the whales we have to-simple as that. Ramming and violence from either side is wrong. Killing whales is against the law, period.

[Frosty]

Doe's Australia own the Southern ocean? are they whaling is Australian waters?

If not then its not illegal. You mean it is illegal in Australia.

I am not going to discuss whaling, but the accident from the Bat boat trying to wrap rope around the Japanese vessel, or as I have seen on TV throwing Silicone on the whaling ship so it is dangerous for the seamen to walk on deck.

As mark says fight this in court.

By the way do you eat meat, chicken or wear leather shoes, perhaps you eat fish occasionally. little tincy wincy bit of ---I was going to say hypocrisy but lets say one sided opinions.

Im sure the Japanes video'd it and have another story to tell.