Sea Shepherd Crewmember knocked into frigid Antarctic waters by Japanese Water Cannon

Second Mate on the Steve Irwin, Beck Straussner, from Maui, Hawaii 
photo: Billy Danger / SS
Beck Straussner (42) of the United States was knocked off his jet ski by the Yushin Maru No. 2 in a confrontation between whalers and whale defenders in the waters off the coast of Antarctica.

The incident happened at 67 Degrees 05 minutes South and 163 Degrees 59 minutes West about 580 miles off Marie Byrd Land at 1700 Hours (Eastern Australia Standard Time).

In an effort to slow down the tailing harpoon vessel, the Steve Irwindeployed three inflatable boats and a jet ski in an attempt to force the Yushin Maru No. 2 to fall behind to allow the Steve Irwin to escape.

Beck was knocked off his jet ski into subzero Antarctic waters when he was struck in the chest by one of the water cannons on the harpoon vessel. The Yushin Maru No. 2 did not stop to offer assistance.

Mr. Straussner was able to swim to his jet ski and was able to get underway again. He returned to the Steve Irwin some nine miles away. In response to the question of how he felt about the incident, Beck laughed and said one word – “cold.”

Beck Straussner is from Maui, Hawaii and is the 2^nd Officer on the Steve Irwin.

Beck Straussner swims back to Jet Ski  in frigid Antarctic waters photo: Billy Danger / Sea Shepherd

Beck Straussner reaches his Jet Ski  after being knocked off by a  Japanese Water Cannon photo: Billy Danger / Sea Shepherd

A Sea Shepherd Small Boat tries to prevent the Yushin Maru 2 from aggressively tailing the Steve Irwin
photo: Billy Danter / Sea Shepherd

Sea Shepherd Crew Member Beck Straussner gets knocked off Jet Ski by Water Cannon
photo: Billy Danger / Sea Shepherd

Visit our  Operation Divine Wind site for information about our 2011-12 Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign