Sea Shepherd Captain Paul Watson Survives Shooting Attempt in Antarctica

Paul Watson immediately after he was shot

Today around 3:45pm Australian Eastern Standard Time in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone of Antarctica, an attempt was made on the life of Paul Watson, Captain of the Sea Shepherd vessel Steve Irwin.

A single bullet was fired by what must have been an expert marksman at Paul's chest, which embedded in his Kevlar vest and also damaged a metal badge worn behind the vest. Fortunately, this stopped the bullet penetrating his flesh.

The ships' doctor was emphatic that without protection, the shot would have been lethal.

At the time the shot was fired, the Japanese whaling vessel Nisshin Maru was moving parallel to the Steve Irwin in stormy seas. The high level of movement indicates that the shot must have been fired by an expert.

The Steve Irwin continues to track the Nisshin Maru west after it altered its northerly course.

We have received verbal confirmation that the Australian Embassy has been advised by the Japanese that a crew member on board the Nisshin Maru fired "warning" shots. In addition to the lead bullet lodged in Captain Watson's Kevlar vest, up to seven flash grenades were also hurled by armed Japanese Coast Guard Officers, injuring two other Steve Irwin crew members.

Captain Watson is now in a comfortable condition, and no whales are being slaughtered in the name of bogus research by these illegal poachers.

No warning was given that a bullet would be fired.

Video and still footage is now available in our Migaloo section.

The questions that need to be asked are who fired this shot, and who gave the authority to do it?

Report from Peter Brown, 1st Officer on board the Steve Irwin