Sea Shepherd Intercepts Japanese Whaling Fleet |
 Nisshin Maru - Whale Kller |
December 24, 2005
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship Farley Mowat intercepted the Japanese whaling fleet at 0400 Hours on Christmas Day.[Australian EST(Eastern Summer Time)]
Captain Paul Watson calculated a possible interception course by dropping out of the chase behind the Greenpeace ships Esperanza and Arctic Sunrise. He headed due west and caught the fleet as they attempted to head south towards Porpoise Bay. At 0200 Hours they were spotted on radar. The Farley Mowat passed the Esperanza and headed to the Japanese factory ship, the Nisshin Maru, coming alongside.
The Nisshin Maru sped up as the Farley Mowat came alongside. A few moments later the factory ship turned and came towards the Farley Mowat despite the fact that the Farley Mowat on the starboard side of the Nisshin Maru had the right of way.
 Farley Mowat avoides collision |
Both ships were on a collision course and the Nisshin Maru's bow was plunging high out of the water as she came at full speed towards the Farley Mowat.
 Minke Whale hauled aboard Nissin Maru |
Captain Watson ordered a mooring line deployed behind the Farley Mowat. As soon as the Nisshin Maru saw the line they turned and backed off to avoid their propeller being fouled.
At 0600 Hours the Nisshin Maru was heading west into heavy seas with the Farley Mowat on her tail.
Captain Watson notified the Nisshin Maru that they were in violation of International law and that acting under the authority of the United Nations World Charter for Nature, he was ordering them to depart the Southern Oceans and return to Japan.