Sea Shepherd Crew Detained In South Africa

Sea Shepherd Crew Detained In South Africa

After seven weeks at sea opposing the Japanese whale killing, the Sea Shepherd flagship, 'Farley Mowat', arrived at Cape Town on Tuesday, 24th of January.

On Wednesday (the 25th) the ship, Captain Paul Watson and some of the crew were detained indefinitely. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) have placed a guard on the gangplank; with another patrolling the ship. The ship has been detained following a request from the Canadian government. The ship and crew have been held indefinitely.

According to reports, the ship and crew have been detained for two reasons: 1. Apparently, according to Canadian maritime law, both the captain and first officer should be Canadian nationals. Captain Paul Watson is Canadian, First Officer Alex Cornelissen is Dutch.

2. SAMSA claims that the Farley Mowat was 'not in possession of an international ship security certificate or a ship security plan'. This means the ship allegedly does not comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), 'which is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities, developed in response to the perceived threats to ships and port facilities in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the United States.' (From the International Maritime Organisation regulations website)

ENDS

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