Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:25 am Post subject: Personal account from a Sea Shepherd volunteer
This open email was sent to a member of this forum - her friend is currently volunteering on the Sea Shepherd ship "Steve Irwin", trying to prevent the killing of whales by a Japanese whaling fleet.
"Hi all,
Below is an article/blog I wrote a couple of days ago for the ship.(obviously somewhat overtaken by yesterdays events) Below is a reasonably respectable account of what happened...juicy personal goss will have to wait for later. So it's up for grabs for circulation I believe - so can go on indymedia - Al if you want to post? ANd elsewhere as appropriate
Just to let you know I am ok; but very sad - i just saw some stuff that was pretty full on, and its heartbreaking. Yesterday was a close call.
As we speak no whales have yet been taken on board the Nisshin today so perhaps yesterdays collision made them a little wary... or not. They are really hard core and are out to hurt us - they are throwing nasty metal stuff with pretty venomous looks on their faces. its all very surreal. On the plus side, I have some lovely bolts and souvenirs i can make a necklace out of.
I may yet get a chance to go in the boats if we go back out in thenext couple of days - there is an outside chance. its something i have wanted to do for some time so i look forward to the opportunity if it arises. And yes Boyd, i will remember to wear a jumper. And hold on.
Love you all, let me know how it is all playing out in the media - did the graphic footage go to air; its pretty goddamned horrible. Please write back and let me know how you all are - and send some stories of the outside world.
love love, nic
NICOLA PARIS - REPORTING FROM ANTARCTICA
South of 70 degrees. Where there is no god. If that's your thing.
Its 140am on the 5th of February and I can't sleep. I am looking out the porthole at a muted grey sea scape, in a state of constant twilight.
Yesterday morning I was woken up at 5am by someone letting me know that two of the whaling fleets harpoon ships were suddenly flanking us as we were pacing with the Nisshin Maru - the whaling fleets factory processing ship. We had a long running battle the day beforehand and everyone was catching up on sleep. By the time I got my wet weather gear on and up on deck, all three harpoon boats were looming out of the mist - twisting and turning at sharp angles to try and distract us from the factory processing ship, and our main target, the Nisshin Maru.
There are a broad spectrum of people on this ship, three from West Australia this time - myself, still in the galley - and on board for the last year, Stephen, a veteran of several campaigns in the engine room and our brand new doctor David. All different walks of life. We have hard core vegan animal rights activists through to ex police and military. I guess I fall somewhere in between. I don't identify as an animal rights activist, although definitely an activist of sorts. I guess it's more as a global citizen that I am here. I am not here because of a strong emotional bond with whales I have had since childhood, like some people; it's not because I hear the screams of animals in my nightmares - I am here because if we can't do something as simple as stopping the killing of one of the most endangered, complex, gentle creatures on the planet, then what hope is there of changing; and then doing what needs to be done? So much to do, so much damage to be undone and yet we are fighting a battle at the edges of the earth because we can't even get this one thing right.
I am also here because I strongly believe in grassroots direct action. I believe radical action is required and I believe in speaking up. Although one of the central tenants of Sea Shepherd's argument as a law enforcement organisation refers to the UN World Charter for Nature and the reference to individuals having the right and responsibility to uphold international law in the absence of government, that is not why I am here. I don't need a mandate from the UN to take action. As an active participant in and on the planet and with a vested interest in mine and everyone else's future I choose to act because it is an aberration to me to do otherwise.
I don't need permission to speak up against war, to call for action on climate change, to pledge to do whatever I can to keep uranium in the ground in WA, to call out to refugees through wire fences of detention centres, to march for my right to a safe abortion, to call myself a feminist, to peacefully occupy forest that should be saved as an international treasure… to speak up about what I believe is right. Whatever that may be.
I am not an insane violent militant. I have trained in peaceful direct action. I have friends in politics, media, teachers, nurses, unions, tradies, hospitality, IT, students. My family and friends are proud of me and support the action I am taking.
And myself and the forty other people on board this ship are taking this action only because no one else will. Despite a raft of proposals and well researched legal arguments from non government organisations as to legal avenues, and international law analysis arguing for avenues to shut down so called 'scientific' whaling the Australian government is sitting on its hands.
As I complete this nearly 24 hours later, on Thursday 6th February we have had another day of action. We launched our small boats to try and harass the fleet, armed with rotten butter. In return we were surrounded by three harpoon ships; as well as the factory ship steering dangerously close to us; our helicopter pilot had an acoustic weapon directed at him whilst in mid air and they also deployed the acoustic device whilst we were trying to bring the boats back in, all the while pelting our activists with high powered water canons strong enough to knock you off your feet. Two more of our activists were injured today. Luckily no whales were. Because we are here.
We shouldn't have to be here. We need people to speak up to remind the Australian and other countries Government's of that. Before the whaling fleet seriously injures or kills another person taking a stand. Then it won't only be the Japanese government with blood on their hands.
PS - the saying is: south of 50 degrees latitude there is no hope, south of 60 degrees there is no law and south of 70 degrees, there is no god. Well we know that; where does that leave us?
BIO THANG IF NECESSARY
Nicola Paris is a WA local; long time environmental and social justice activist, with a history of working on a range of many campaigns. This is her second Antarctic campaign with Sea Shepherd and she has been volunteering full time on board for the last year - currently serving as the Second Cook and sometime deckhand. She is somewhat cranky with the Japanese whaling fleet and would like them to change the tunes on their LRAD sonic weapon so she doesn't feel like she is in a bad 80's disco." _________________ ....Woz
'72 Sierp Bros poptop - "Woger the Jolly Piwate"
Aus liebe zum kombi
Last edited by Piratekombi on Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:46 am; edited 1 time in total
"Friday 6th February
Everything changed today.
I was woken up around 5am by the sound of the LRAD sonic weapon intruding into my dreams. I opened my porthole to see what was happening only to see the Nisshin Maru's high powered water cannon blasting our ship from a range of only 10-15 metres.
I later found out that one of the kill ships had approached the Nisshin at a very fast rate and unloaded a whale they had caught. It's the first time that a whale has been killed with Sea Shepherd in the vicinity; and it shows that the whaling fleet are upping the ante. We moved closer to the Nisshin in order to try and blockade a second transfer when they turned their cannons and acoustic weapons on our ship. We turned out to be in for a very long day.
With two crew members down I was asked to be ready to join the boat team if the need arose; so had to gather the necessary thermal waterproof gear to suit up. With the last confrontation lasting over five hours in the sub zero conditions it is very important not to expose yourself to the possibility of hypothermia thus endangering the action; and necessitating return to the ship. In the end, although we considered launching the inflatable boats we would have lost speed which meant our ship would have lost pace with the Nisshin and would have enabled the further processing of whales.
With four of the fleet making dangerous manoeuvres near us; causing several very near misses during the day, which saw all of us bracing ourselves on deck, preparing ourselves for collision - the inevitable finally occurred. We had a large scale collision. I was on the forward deck; but moved towards the aft deck as I saw the crew of both whaling ships turning their high powered cannons on our crew on the bow who were attempting to film the transfer. The Nisshin Maru was to our port side, and the harpoon ship attempting to transfer the whale carcass was on our starboard side. We were very close to the other ships and were then boxed in by another harpoon ship. It seems they are prepared to continue their killing at any cost.
As I ran down towards the back deck to avoid being swept off my feet by a water cannon I was nearly hit by the metal shrapnel their crew were hurling at us. Later I picked up several pieces of metal; large nuts and bolts which could have blinded us; or even knocked someone out. Then a terrible crunch and our ship turned at an angle of nearly 30 degrees and the two ships seemed to be locked together - a surreal moment in time when I wondered what could happen next… could we entirely tip over, had we ripped a massive hole in our hull? We all braced ourselves…. as our ship seemed to hang in mid air for a long time… and then the ships came apart; and it was over. Our crew stood together; quite relieved for just a couple of moments until senses kicked in and we ran down to check the damage and make sure we weren't taking on water. Luckily we came away with relatively minor damage - two holes in the hull above the waterline which are now being patched.
It was a lucky day for us. And a devastating one. Several whales were killed today where previously our mere presence had prevented this from happening. It was good to be reminded why we are here. Although I cried tears of frustration; and felt sick to my stomach when I heard of another whale being killed and brought on board to be packed and processed within hours into small cardboard boxes for the Japanese meat market; I am also glad. People will be reminded what a horrific slaughter these animals endure when the footage is released of a whale taking one harpoon; seven shotgun blasts and twenty minutes of thrashing agony to die. Perhaps the Australian government could go out on a limb and take some damned action so we don't have to put our lives on the line to do their job. And maybe it might help if a few people reminded them of that.
Saturday 7th February
It's quieter on the ship today. While many people rest up a few of us get back to the normal routine. There are still three meals a day to cook, an engine room to run, chores to do. We continue on as normal with our cooking whilst some other crew peruse the international headlines yesterday's action made. We have two birthdays on board today so we are making cakes early in case we have to suit up for action later in the day. The galley is constantly hard work; with myself and Laura both involved in roles on deck, and Kaori very busy with translation we are all stretched to the limit to manage the juggling act of fuelling the crew, and being involved at the front line.
We are still chasing the Nisshin Maru and the harpoon ships are keeping their distance. It feels a little like the calm after a big storm.
I feel absolutely exhausted; emotionally and physically drained. It was a gut wrenching experience to see the dead whales being hauled alongside the harpoon vessels yesterday.
I never want to see that again. And I am glad to be on board a ship with a bunch of wonderful, strong, funny, passionate, brave, determined people willing to do their best to stop that as well." _________________ ....Woz
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship Steve Irwin arrived in Hobart, Tasmania at 1700 Hours on February 20th. The ship was met at dockside by a party of Federal Australian Police officers who boarded the Steve Irwin with a warrant.
The warrant authorized the seizing of "all edited and raw video footage, all edited and raw audio recordings, all still photographs, producer's notes, interview transcripts, production meeting minutes, post production meeting minutes as well as the ship's log books, global positioning system records, automatic radar plotting aid, purchase records, receipts, financial transaction records, voyage information and navigational plotted charts."
The Animal Planet series Whale Wars was very embarrassing to the Japanese government and the Japanese whaling industry in 2008. Japan does not wish to see the airing of the second season of Whale Wars and is putting as much diplomatic pressure on Australia as they possibly can to prevent further exposure of their illegal whaling operations in the Southern Ocean.
"I wish that the Australian government would apply the same "diplomatic" pressure on Japan to end their illegal whaling operations," said Captain Paul Watson. "The Rudd government was elected on a promise to take the Japanese whaling industry to court for their illegal whaling activities. Now they seem to be more interested in taking Sea Shepherd to court for our efforts to intervene against illegal whaling operations."
Captain Paul Watson said he would welcome a trial.
"We have to start somewhere so it may as well be by taking me to court. Let us get the evidence on the table and although a trial against Sea Shepherd and myself may not allow the introduction of evidence about Japan's illegal whaling operations, it at least will give us the forum to present our evidence. Let's see the Australian government bring the Japanese whale killers to Australia to bear witness against Sea Shepherd and Animal Planet and let's see them appear as witnesses for the government of Australia that professes to be against whaling."
"It's a very one-sided affair," continued Captain Watson. "The Japanese ships have not been boarded by the Australian Federal Police; they have not had their video and navigational data confiscated. They have not been questioned nor will they be, yet they violently attacked my ship and crew in the Southern Ocean. Does the law only go to bat for those who destroy nature's creation? Are we about to see the ultimate kangaroo court where Sea Shepherd will be legally crucified because the Australian government has not lived up to their promise of taking the whale killers to court? The truth is that we would not have to be in the Southern Ocean defending the whales if the governments of the world would simply enforce the international conservation treaties they once so proudly signed into law. Without enforcement there is no law - just ecological anarchy."
Captain Watson said he had no complaints about the Australian Federal Police.
"They were very professional and polite and they were doing their job in carrying out the orders of the government."
"We have quite the year ahead of us," continued Captain Watson. "We need to repair damages to the Steve Irwin, we need to secure a second and faster vessel, and we need to be prepared to return to the Southern Ocean again at the end of the year to defend whales. If need be we will be in court to answer to charges of defending endangered whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and to this we proudly plead guilty."
Thank goodness Paul Watson is a true professional and will be happy to go to court- trust that copies of all vids and photos have been sent to other areas so they will not be "lost"
How many Japanese products or value of trade is worth the life of a whale.
-------------------------------- _________________ Kombis Keep you Younger
I am under the understanding that there are no saved copies of the videos. It is likely that the owners of the footage (Animal Planet, owned by Discovery Communications) will be very unhappy - the first series of Whale Wars (following last year's Sea Shepherd campaign) was their highest rating programme ever.
I don't understand the argument that supporting whaling is good for Australian trade - we have many markets for our steel etc (eg China) whereas Japan has few reliable sources... we usually sell our goods at a discounted price to Japan on long-term contracts so it is difficult to comprehend how not supporting whaling could have any economic impact. Also, aren't we in trade deficit with Japan (ie don't we buy more from them than they buy from us...?)
The Steve Irwin was forced to terminate its campaign when the Japanese sent a coast-guard ship to the Southern Ocean to intercept and confiscate the footage. I am disgusted that the Australian govt is now acting as a proxy for the Japanese and trying to protect their interests, rather that those of the majority (90%) of Australians. _________________ ....Woz
Under Australian law, the Southern Ocean is a whale sanctuary and therefore the Japanese whaling is illegal - it will be interesting to see if the AFP will attempt to prosecute the Sea Shepherds without also charging the Japanese whalers.... _________________ ....Woz
The Japanese Government-owned fleet's president, Kazuo Yamamura, said the clashes posed a test of whether Australia and the Netherlands, which registers the Steve Irwin, would allow the high seas to be a lawless zone, or impose international agreements.
"These maritime laws are not options," Mr Yamamura said. "If they are not applied, they are of little value."
These maritime laws are not options?! What about whaling in a Whale Sanctuary... it's optional to obey that law huh?
I'm fuming.
A really good friend of mine is on that ship, she's the one who wrote the personal account that started this thread. She, and the rest of the crew, will be devestated by this.
The Dutch are strong supporters of Sea Shepherd - the Steve Irwin and Farley Mowat were registered in the Netherlands after Britain and Belize respectively struck the ships from their registers.
"On February 5th in The Hague, Netherlands at the Dutch Postcode Lottery's annual "Goed Geld Gala" Sea Shepherd Conservation Society received a check for 500,000 euros. The "Goed Geld Gala" is televised and it is the forum for the lottery to announce the amount of money they have raised for donations to non-profit organizations.
This year the Dutch Prime Minister, Dr Jan Peter Balkenende, graced the stage of this very prestigious event. In addition to this 2009 donation, Sea Shepherd has also been granted a 4 year donation contract ensuring additional funding in future years. This extremely generous cumulative donation is in recognition of Sea Shepherd's long-term commitment to marine conservation globally and it is one of the largest in Sea Shepherd's history. In these challenging economic times, these funds will help to ensure that Sea Shepherd is able to continue our campaign successes and to defend ocean wildlife worldwide. The Dutch Postcode Lottery's support will also stand as a landmark of institutional legitimacy for all that Sea Shepherd represents and a financial beacon for present and future donors and supporters whose donations have and will continue to sustain the organization.
The Dutch Postcode Lottery was founded exactly 20 years ago as a means to raise money for organizations who advocate for nature conservation, environmental protection, victims of war, and victims of violence and poverty. Half the money raised through this unique lottery annually is donated to carefully selected non-profit organizations. Since its founding in 1989, the Dutch Postcode Lottery has donated in excess of 2.5 billion euros as part of its commitment to improve the world in which we all live.
Sea Shepherd has committed the use of these funds to our vigilant battle against the
pirate Japanese whaling fleet, to intensify anti-poaching patrols and law enforcement in the Galapagos, and to develop global strategies to stop shark finning."
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