Whale Wars: Ady Gil and Shonan Maru 2 Collision Caught on Tape (VIDEO)
Who was at Fault? Sound Off in the Comments Below.
You can see video of the Ady Gil and Shonan Maru 2 collision here , presented in a split-screen format that allows you to see the crash from the point-of-view of both ships. The collision took place near Antarctica on January 6, 2010.
Whale wars Vessel Ady Gil Sunk By Shonan Maru 2 (Video Here)
As Whale Wars "Sliced In Two" began, the Ady Gil crew were sitting topside, waving farewell to their Sea Shepards comrades on the nearby Bob Barker. The Ady Gil was out of fuel after running an interference mission to slow the progress of the Shonan Maru and the other Japanese whaling fleet. The Sea Shepards believe whaling in the Antarctic waters violates international law, and attempt to impede the whaling industry in the region whenever possible. Whale Wars documents their efforts.
On Whale Wars "Sliced In Two", the Shonan Maru can be seen heading toward the Ady Gil (which supposedly had it's engine in either idle or not running at all to conserve fuel), blasting their water cannons and LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device). At the last moment before a collision could be averted, the mammoth Shonan Maru 2 appears to turn directly into the Ady Gil, crashing into the small boat and ripping off it's front end. For comparison purposes, the Ady Gil's captain, Pete Bethune put it this way: "It's 80 tons against 1,000 tons. It's just not a fair fight." (See split-screen video of the Ady Gil crash with the Shonan Maru 2 here.)
After a frantic few moments, it was determined by the horrified Bob Barker crew that all members of the Ady Gil had made it below deck before the impact, and were safe. A cameraman aboard the Ady Gil suffered a rib injury. The Ady Gil appeared to be totaled, and taking on water fast. They crew of the damaged vessel were rescued by their fellow Sea Shepards, and taken aboard the Bob Barker.
What do you think? Did the Shonan Maru 2 intentionally crash into the Ady Gil, threatening the lives of all aboard? Or was this just another sabotage move by the Sea Shepards, as the Japanese claimed after the incident?
Aftermath: Ady Gil Captain Boards Shonan Maru 2, Convicted In Japan For Assault
It is interesting to note that in mid-February 2010, one month after the ship he built and skippered was rammed by the Shonan Maru 2, Ady Gil captain Pete Bethune boarded the Japanese vessel in a possible act of retaliation. According to the LA Times, Pete Bethune was held and tried in Japan for crimes including trespassing, weapons possession (he used a knife to cut netting to board the Shonan Maru 2) and assault charges related to an earlier incident.
Days before boarding the vessel, activist Peter Bethune apparently threw a bottle of butyric acid onto the Shonan Maru 2's deck and several crew reportedly suffered chemical burns. Bethune was convicted, and sentenced in early July 2010 to a suspended two-year prison sentence. Bethune will not serve jail time unless he violates any other Japan laws. Peter Bethune lives in New Zealand when not out on the high seas or being held in Japanese custody.
Source:
Whale Wars - Animal Planet "Sliced In Two" - filmed January 2010, aired July 2010
The LA Times "Activist convicted of assaulting Japanese whaling crew"
Published by Jennifer Waite
Jennifer Waite is a freelance writer and photo-journalist; she covers local news for Tucson, national news, celebrity and music news, and more. Jennifer Waite is also the Tucson Rock Music Examiner on Exami... View profile
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32 Comments
Post a Comment1) in what world does a carbon fiber boat constitute a threat to a whaling vessel? 2) countries like Norway who flout and disagree with whaling regs just withdraw and do what they want. fight that in court, haha 3) Japan has flouted whaling regs & whaled in sanctuary waters for years w/o consequence. fight that in court, haha. 4)US is working with Japan to remove whaling bans so whaling can be 'regulated'. If it doesn't work now, why would making it legal work?
One down, Two to go. Hopefully, next season the Japanese Navy will send a Patrol/Torpedo boat out with the whalers.
If SS does not maintain the distance between ships, required under International Law, then they can be sunk by torpedoes.
Want to stop Whaling? Win it in court, not by terrorism!!!
What is really sad is the people who say after viewing the tape from the Japanese ship that the Ady Gil had started to move. What caused it to move if you synch the two tapes together was the bow wave of the harpoon vessel.
The other thing I don't understand is why the country who flags the Ady Gil has not filed official charges against the japanese captain.
I hate to point out the obvious... however, the AG was out of gas when they were hit. That would make it a bit difficult for them to "drive right across" the path of any boat. The laws have been changed and yet Japan feels no need to abide by them. Research my ass... please show me what their "research" has done in the past couple years. All they are doing is lining their pockets.
I think we're pointing out the fact that these liberal earth worshippers are miserable and hypocritical (redundancy). Not to mention the stupidity of driving right across the path of a ship 20 times their size.
Conservatives have done more for protecting wildlife by changing game laws and giving to organizations that protect and preserve God's creation.
Thank you Grace for pointing out the obvious. There are so many people out there that give into the Sea Shepherds lies about everything and truly believe that they are doing only good and it is the Japanese fleet that is always harassing them. I watch the show because it is funny to see these amateurs making huge mistakes out at sea.
Isn't it ironic that these so called environmentalists are spilling their fuel into the very home of the whales they're trying to save?
The Ady Gil was underway as is evidenced by the prop wash behind the boat which can be clearly seen by the footage taken by the Japanese vessel. The AG crossed in front of the larger vessel. maritime rules always dictate that smaller vessels give way to large ships.
These people are idiots and got what they deserved.
haha ok well I guess the AG should have moved faster. It was going to happen one way or another with all of the small boats cutting in front of big vessels. It's just a good thing nothing happened with the ridged inflatables when they try that stunt.
HAVE YOU???? and its the SM2 not NM, and yes i did. did u see it from the bob barker? the SM2 MADE A HARD RIGHT TURN AT THE END!!! and they think that the AG COULD GO BACKWARDS FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID EM!??!?!?!?!?!?! THOSE BLOODY IDIOTS