Dutch And Togolese Ship Harassing The Nisshin Maru

Dutch And Togolese Ship Harassing The Nisshin Maru
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Steve Irwin activists use a water-leaking centenarian fire-fighter relic to produce a TV scene (Part 1)

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The Japanese Antarctic whale research (JARPA II) vessels were subject yesterday to a water hosing, classical music and green laser display by the Netherlands-registered ship Steve Irwin and the Togolese ship Bob Barker .

At around 15:50hrs JST, February 9, the Steve Irwin approached to a near-miss (10 metres) distance from the Nisshin Maru and mimicked a scene from the movie “Apocalypse Now” blaring Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” from large loudspeakers and firing water cannon (Go to http://www.icrwhale.org/gpandsea.htm to watch video.)

The Bob Barker too approached the Nisshin Maru while firing a high-power green laser device. Harassment by both vessels lasted about one hour. There were neither injuries nor damage to the Japanese crews and vessels.

As the Dutch and the Togolese ships continue to follow the Nisshin Maru while performing dangerous antics, Japan’s Antarctic whale research vessels will continue giving top priority to safety at sea.

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, 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 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