I'm not a fan, but...

I'll admit to not being much of a fan of the Sea Sheperds.  For those of you unfamiliar with this group, they're an environmental group whose aim is to end whaling.  While their goal is laudable (and one I support whole-heartedly), their tactics are not.  Unlike Greenpeace and other organisations, who function primarily through documenting whaling activities and raising public knowledge, the Sea Shepherds use a variety of "direct-action" methods designed to interfere with whaling operations.

These tactics fall into a grey area, in terms of international law, and there have been a few incidents where they appear to have deliberately damaged ships at sea - an activity which is against numerous international agreements, activities which potentially puts human lives at stake, and an activity considered to be a criminal offence in most nations.  Some have suggested that their activities may even push into the realm of terrorism, given that they have been linked to a few attempts to sink whalers using mines.

Furthermore, it is my opinion that these activities most likely function to help whalers by undermining any public opinion that is built up against whalers.  After all, these activities taint anti-whaling advocacy with more than a hint of extremism.

All the above said, the Japanese have crossed a line, and crossed it in an extreme way.  About 12 hours ago they deliberatly rammed and sunk a small Sea Sheperd speedboat.  No reports of fatalities, but its a serious and illegal activity none-the less.  The first video that was available can be seen below, and was provided by the Japanese whaling fleet:


There's a couple of ways this can be interpreted:

1. The Japanese were overtaking a slow/non-moving vessel and failed to give-way.  Under international maritime rules this is a big no-no, as overtaking vessels are required to ensure they pass the other vessel safely, and the overtaking vessel is required to change their course appropriately.
2. The Japanese and sea shepherd vessel were on a cross-course.  In this case the vessel which has the other vessel on starboard must give way.  The sea shepherd vessel is clearly on the right (starboard) side of the Japanese vessel, once again meaning the Japanese should have given way.
3. Some people claim that the sea shephard vessel accelerated towards the Japanese vessel immediately before the collision.  Even if true, it doesn't change the fact the Japanese failed to follow maritime law, as outlined in points 1 & 2.

The sea sheppard have now released their own video (see below).  This one is much more damning for the Japanese, as it shows that the Japanese vessel clearly turned TOWARDS the sea sheppard ship.  This is a gross violation of international maritime law, and likely constitutes a criminal act in nearly every nation on earth.


So while I don't like the way the sea sheppards do their thing, I hope that this incident is sufficient to bring a criminal case against the Japanese whaling fleet.  With luck this incident will either force nations to stop the hunt, or at least give sufficient grounds to sue the Japanese fleet into insolvency.