He scuttled her. Same thing as “sinking her.” And there are *mountains* of videos, including a TV program on Animal Planet.
He probably did that because if he pulled into port his ship would have been arrested. (for those in rio linda, ships can be arrested like a person)
Now if the japanese whaler interpleades in the lawsuit they, in theory, could arest the proceeds. (there was a case where an action was for the arrest of “gold bars” of a shipwreck)