Posted on 01/11/2006 6:44:28 PM PST by proud_yank
GREENPEACE has rejected fresh claims from Japan that activists harassing a whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean were responsible for a collision between two ships.
Video released by The Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research
Video released by Greenpeace Oddly enough, this link wouldn't open
The Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise was involved in the collision with the Japanese whale processing ship Nisshin Maru on Sunday, putting a 1.5-metre dent in the Sunrise's bow and bending its forward mast.
Japan has released a video in a bid to prove Greenpeace targeted its ship.
The Tokyo-based Institute of Cetacean Research said the video showed the 1,000 tonne Arctic Sunrise moving steadily forward before hitting the 8,000 tonne Nisshin Maru, whose movement was impeded by another whaling vessel nearby.
But Greenpeace maintains the larger ship was at fault.
"They've certainly got balls of steel, those guys," Greenpeace expedition leader Shane Rattenbury said from the group's second vessel, Esperanza.
"Having been on the bridge of the Arctic Sunrise at the time of the incident, I know there was no way we were responsible.
"Even the photo Japan put out the other day, if you look closely there's a wake in front of our ship because we were actually in reverse at the time."
Greenpeace's Australian chief executive Steve Shallhorn said an investigation would prove Japan was at fault.
"According to international maritime law, the starboard vessel, the Arctic Sunrise had the right of way," he said.
"We fully expect official investigation to concur with the Greenpeace version of the event."
The crew of the Arctic Sunrise plan to repair the vessel when it eventually docks in Fremantle or South Africa, and Greenpeace is considering a damages claim against Japan.
Also this week, Greenpeace ships – currently operating about 4,000km south west of Perth – received a rare radio transmission from the Japanese whaling fleet.
But the message, translated by Greenpeace interpreters, was hardly an olive branch.
"All the responsibility for any accidents that originate in dangerous obstructive actions lie with you," said Shigetoshi Nishiwaki, the head of Japan's scientific whaling program who is on board the Nisshin Maru.
"We strongly demand that Greenpeace cease your obstruction of our legitimate survey and leave the survey area immediately."
Arctic Sunrise captain Arne Sorensen accused the Nisshin Maru of deliberately damaging his ship and delivered a blunt reply.
"You are a disgrace to the Kyodo Senpaku fleet. You have discredited the Institute of Cetacean Research. You have dishonoured yourselves," he said.
Mr Rattenbury said it was the first time the whaling fleet had radioed Greenpeace during the current confrontation, and only the second time ever.
Japan plans to catch 935 minke whales and 10 fin whales this southern summer for what it insists is scientific research.
Conservationists maintain it is a commercial operation.
I'm by any means an "expert" on international law,
BUTit appears that the Greenpeace vessel was,
without a doubt, in the wrong.
I hope the Skipper of the Greenpeace vessel is prosecuted.
Its a big Ocean out there. Two ships who dont want to hit each other would allow a great deal of room to the other ship. Now we all know the Japanese ship didnt want to get close to Greenpeace. There is no way the Japanese skipper saw the Greenpeace ship and went over to it. Greenpeace is at fault just for placing itself close enough to get hit.
I am really surprised that they wouldn't have taken more action than they did. Those dinghies were swarming around like mosquitos. Be a shame if something happened to fall off the ship onto them.
Greenpeace or Sea Shepherd activists
Is it Greenpeace or the Sea Shepherds? The last I heard, Greenpeace had divested itself of any relationship with the Sea Shepherds because the latter was "too violent".
The Sea Shepherds leader Paul Watson (brief bio-Paul Watson co-founded Green Peace in 1972, leaving the organization 1977 because he felt its original goals were compromised. That same year he started Sea Shepherds to continue direct action tactics to defend marine wildlife. He is professor of Ecology at Pasadena College of Design and also teaches ecology at UCLA. He is author of Sea Shepherd: My Fight for Whales and Seals and Ocean Warrior.
How do these clowns get a ship?
I hate to say it but the French were right. Send a couple a "fish" their way.
Bring the guns up to the deck.
Load with grapeshot.
I hate greenpeace as much as anyone, but if you look at the clouds as a guide to detect the movement, it is obvious that the front of the whaler is moving laterally to the left, effectively running into the bow of the greenpeace ship. Anyone notice?
Actually, I think you can just treat these Greenpeace folks the same way you'd treat any other pirate or sea harrier.
I wondered that too, and it is tough to make out. But the GP ship had plenty of room to get out of the way (by turning the other direction), and the wake off his bow shows that he was moving toward the Japanese ship. If they didn't want a collision, why wouldn't they have turned the other direction?
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, at Article 101, contains a definitions of piracy, as follows:
Article 101
Definition of piracy
Piracy consists of any of the following acts:
(a) any illegal acts of violence or detention, or any act of depredation, committed for private ends by the crew or the passengers of a private ship or a private aircraft, and directed:
(i) on the high seas, against another ship or aircraft, or against persons or property on board such ship or aircraft;
(ii) against a ship, aircraft, persons or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any State;
(b) any act of voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or of an aircraft with knowledge of facts making it a pirate ship or aircraft;
(c) any act of inciting or of intentionally facilitating an act described in subparagraph (a) or (b).
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