Sea Shepherd rammed by whalers

The Japanese Institute for Cetecean Research responded blaming Sea Shepherd for the collision "Bob Barker suddenly approached from the Yushin Maru No. 3 port side launching a number of butyric acid-containing bottles and other projectiles. To avoid a collision the Yushin Maru No. 3 put hard to starboard but the Bob Barker starboard came into contact with the port stern of the research vessel."

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.The Bob Barker continues to follow the Nisshin Maru blocking the slipway, effectively shutting down the illegal commercial whaling operations.

Captain Paul Watson said 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."

Watch a video from the Sea Sheherd site of the ramming

Sources

• Sea Shepherd media Release, Feb 6, 2010 - Bob Barker Rammed by Illegal Whaler
• ICR Media Release, Feb 6, 2010 - Antiwhaling ship Bob Barker rams the Yushin Maru No. 3 (PDF)
• Photos copyright Sea Shepherd