Three Japanese sailors injured by Dutch ship piracy
New Zealander Peter Bethune launches projectiles against the Nisshin Maru in an illegal attack against Japanese research
vessels. Photo: ICR
Japan’s Antarctic whale research (JARPA II) vessels were subject to hours of harassement from February 11 to 12,
including another wire hawser and butyric acid attack by the Dutch-registered ship Steve Irwin and the Togolese ship Bob
Barker.
The Steve Irwin and the Bob Barker repeatedly deployed wire ropes and used a launcher to fire butyric-acid projectiles
against the Japanese vessels.
Three Shonan Maru No. 2 sailors resulted victims of acid-splash chemical injury from the Dutch ship attack.
The Dutch and Togolese ships have been pursuing the Nisshin Maru since February 6 and 8 respectively. Following a
Greenpeace-style antics display on February 9, at about 1650hrs February 11 (JST) the Steve Irwin approached the Nisshin
Maru port side to near-miss distance while firing a water cannon.
The research vessel Shonan Maru No. 2 too was subject to attack by the Steve Irwin which deployed wire hawsers intended
to entangle and disable its rudder and propeller while the Bob Barker repeatedly fired a high-power illegal laser weapon
against the Japanese crew. The Bob Barker also came directly across the bow of the Nisshin Maru deploying wire hawsers
intended to sabotage its rudder and propeller.
Furthermore, the Dutch vessel deployed its rubber boats to launch-fire a number of red-dye projectiles against the
Nisshin Maru. Also, the activists onboard the Steve Irwin rubber boats launch-fired butyric acid-containing projectiles
against the Shonan Maru No. 2.
At about 2300hrs JST, three of the Shonan Maru No. 2 sailors who were readying to prevent any activist illegal boarding
became victims of the Sea Shepherd projectiles, receiving acid-splash chemical injury to their eyes and face.
The Dutch and Togolese ships continued for several hours their attack launching many butyric-acid projectiles and smoke
bombs against the Nisshin Maru.
The Institute of Cetacean Research strongly condemns the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society dangerous and violent actions
carried out in contempt of the International Whaling Commission consensus criticism and demand for self-restraint and
against Japan’s whale research vessels and crews who are conducting perfectly legal research activities in the Antarctic
The Institute of Cetacean Research urges again the Netherlands, which is the Steve Irwin’s flag state, Australia, the de
facto home port country to the Steve Irwin, the Togolese Republic, the Bob Barker’s flag state, and all other related
countries to take every means available to prevent the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society illegal and violent actions and
strongly requests that these countries observe their international obligations and deal with the Sea Shepherd in a
strict and objective manner.
ENDS