Posted on 01/08/2010 4:19:19 PM PST by PJ-Comix
ENVIRONMENT lobby group Sea Shepherd has lodged a piracy complaint in the Netherlands against the captain and crew of a Japanese ship that collided with one of its vessels.
"We have lodged a complaint of piracy with the Dutch prosecuting authority against the captain and crew of the Japanese vessel," Sea Shepherd legal representative Liesbeth Zegveld told AFP today.
"This was close to murder. It was such an extreme act that if no-one takes action now, we may have an even more serious incident in future."
The New Zealand-registered Ady Gil, a high-tech protest boat of the Sea Shepherd group, sank on Friday after being badly damaged in a collision with a Japanese ship, the Shonan Maru 2, two days earlier.
Both parties blame each other for the crash.
Zegveld claimed the collision was "an act of violence" and said the damage was close to $US1 million ($A1.09 million). One of the crew suffered broken ribs.
Piracy enjoys universal jurisdiction, the lawyer said, and "any state is competent to deal with this case".
The Netherlands was chosen since one of the crew was Dutch and the Sea Shepherd's main ship, the Steve Irwin, is registered in the Netherlands.
"We want the crew of the Shonan Maru 2 to go to jail," Zegveld said. "We will bring a civil suit later to recoup the financial losses."
Prosecution spokeswoman Marieke van der Molen confirmed that a complaint had been received on Friday.
"There will be an initial examination before we decide whether or not to open a full investigation," she said. Sea Shepherd claims to have saved hundreds of whales by chasing the Japanese whaling fleet.
Kind of ironic seeing how the “Sea Shepherd” flag is designed specifically to resemble the pirate’s “Jolly Roger”.
Flood forward tubes! Range: 1000 yards!
Liberals! You always know what they are up to by what they accuse others of.
I agree, don’t knock the ship because of how the idiot hippies treat her. She is an engineering feat going to waste in the Sea Shepard’s hands.
They are not just Liberals, they are Latinos ~ they play that “stop and squat” scam all the time. Ask Allstate, State Farm or Geico about that practice.
There’s a good joke in there somewhere...:^)
Agreed, a wing hit would have caused her to roll, dumping all aboard into the water for a well deserved bath and the bat boat would have gone down very quickly. I would like the Sea Shepherd sent to the bottom too.
The is not about saving Whales, it never has been, it’s all about money. For some of this kids, it is about idealism and adventure. Watson has a nice gig... donations and profits from lawsuits fund his travels over the seas all around the world. Not a bad job it you can get it. LOL
thanks!
Due to its speed capabilities, up to 50 knots, Captain Paul Watson (Sea Shepherd President and Founder) intends to use the Ady Gil to intercept and physically block the harpoon ships from illegally slaughtering whales.
Well, looks like the Sea Sheperd crew did exactly what they stated was the mission of the Ady Gil. How is it the fault of the Japenese ship that the Ady Gil was demolished. Perhaps the Sea Sheperd crew ought to take a refresher course in physics.
The whaling ships are worth a ton more that the Sea Shepherd vessels. The play here is to tie the Japanese vessels in court actions so they can’t move and engage in whaling. It’s a gamble to damage them financially through locking up the ships.
The piracy charge attempt is likely the only way they can throw a hail mary attempt from a far flung jurisdiction instead of relying on the Australians.
All legal wrangling in the end.
““... the Sea Shepherd’s main ship, the Steve Irwin, is registered in the Netherlands...”
The Japanese are deploying stingrays from now on...
So NOW they want to go to court and prosecute? Why didn’t they do that to stop the supposedly “illegal” whale hunting in the first place? The Sea Shepherd can pull the strong-arm tactics but no one else can? I’m all for whales but I’ve seen “Whale Wars” and the environmentalists are nothing but bullies.
We can only hope...........
This coming from Eco-Terrorists?
These sea shepherd scum needs to be hunted down by the Japanese SOG and executed anywhere they go to ground, until the entire pack of filth has been wiped out.
A quick viewing of the video clearly shows the Japanese ship trying to turn away as the Sea Shepherd speed boat moves in front of her bow. A boat like that does not turn on a dime, or stop on a dime, either. The highly maneuverable Sea Shepherd speedboat could have easily avoided the collision, but chose not to.
It is like somebody jumping out in front of a speeding tractor trailer, and then claiming the tractor trailer is at fault for hitting him. It was not possible for the Japanese ship to avoid the collision, because of the aggressive and incompetent actions of the Sea Shepherd crew.
ping
Nobody has jurisdiction over that part of the ocean. Australia claims one, but Japan doesn't accept it, for a good reason - you can't claim ownership of such a large space. Besides, an old principle says "you own what you can defend" and no country on this planet can defend that much water.
Nautically, a ship flying those colors are by definition a pirate.
Any ship's captain is the lawman on board of his ship. If pirates approach, flying the flag and attempting to disable his ship, he can use any available methods to defend his ship.
Besides, Japanese ship had a purpose to be there. While some dislike their purpose, it is an internationally approved activity, and Japanese broke no law. However Sea Sh...ds had no legal purpose to be there, unless they are willing to admit that they came to interfere with legal activity of another vessel. Then the court can adjourn right there and then because it's obvious who is at fault here. If Japan files a countersuit, which is likely, then the Sea Sh...ds will be arrested on the spot, for piracy.
Check out its history during that circumnavigation. Not only did it have serious mechanical and ventilation problems, but it collided with a Guatemalan fishing boat, killing three fishermen and causing structure damage. It might have an advanced design, but that doesn’t mean that it is seaworthy.
It sucks down a lot more fuel than does a conventional engine as well.
Check out the Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ady_Gil
Since it was originally paid for with contributions from suckers, if it is scuttled, and the insurance company agrees to pay, the owner will get $2.5M. And if he can get a settlement or judgment against the Japanese, he’ll make even more money.
All the elements of a money making scheme.
Exactly. In this case it is the criminals who purposefully placed their vessel into the path of the Jap Ship. The video is very clear showing the foaming of the water behind the anti-whalers boat, driving it into the path.
I think this little game of 'chicken' will probably galvanize the Jap will to continue.
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