Sea Shepherd activists keen to return to sea to stop Japanese Whalers

[Annces]

Sea Shepherd docks in Melbourne


http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200802/r220843_868270.asx



The Sea Shepherd ship the Steve Irwin has arrived at Victoria Harbour in Melbourne to refuel, restock and make some minor repairs. About 100 people welcomed the vessel back to Melbourne after its campaign against Japanese whalers. Australian Benjamin Potts, who was held by the Japanese, says he and the other captive, Briton Giles Lane, are ready to go back despite the experience of being tied to the side of the Japanese boat.

"That was definitely the scariest part, being tied alongside on the guard rail there, especially when the water came up, and we were sort of semi-immersed," he said.

"Also when they tried to throw me overboard, that was... I didn't really think about it at the time, but on reflection it's a pretty scary thing to go into Antarctic waters."

The Steve Irwin is expected to go back to sea within a week. Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson is appalled that the Japanese fleet has killed five whales since the protest ship stopped following it. He says next year, the campaign will step up a notch.

"What I want to do next year is come back with two ships, stagger those ships replace them," he said. "We can shut them down for the entire season, but for now I think that we can go down there and keep them on the run."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/02/2152941.htm

[flvegan]

1. Good for Sea Shepherd.

SOME organizations that won't be named here are done with their campaign fundraising and are headed home. Sea Shepherd will stay this fight out.

I'd like to see them come back next year with a second boat...a support vessel that can refuel them out of port, carry supplies, food, etc.

I'd really like to see Australia grow a spine in this matter, then the aforementioned wouldn't be necessary.

[Annces]

2. The whales are happy too

the little ship that could taking on the Japanese MegaBucks harpoon ships.

[flvegan]

3. Anti-whalers get heroes welcome in Melbourne

The captain of an anti-whaling vessel which docked in Melbourne today wants to increase the number of activist ships tailing Japanese whaling boats in future.

Captain Paul Watson and his crew aboard the Steve Irwin received a heroes' welcome from families, friends and activists gathered on a Melbourne dock.

More than 100 people cheered, waved and whistled as the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's ship sailed into Victoria Harbour at Melbourne's Docklands about 2.30pm (AEDT) today.

"They've demonstrated they will not kill whales while we're chasing them."

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/antiwhalers-welcomed/2008/02/02/1201801092453.html

[Submariner]

4. The whaling nations need to be harassed incessantly until this slaughter STOPS!

And this japanese excuse that their whaling "is research", I find to be an insult.