Sea Shepherd Ships Refuel for a Return to the Chase

The Bob Barker with the Steve Irwin in the distance.
Photo: Sam SielenThe Sea Shepherd ship, Bob Barker, departed yesterday from Wellington, New Zealand to return to the Southern Ocean.

The Bob Barker will rendezvous with the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin at MacQuarie Island to refuel the Steve Irwin. Both ships will then return South to continue pursuit of the Japanese whaling fleet.

“The Japanese whaling ships cannot legally enter the waters within twelve miles of MacQuarie Island,” said Captain Paul Watson. “This is an opportunity for us to lose the harpoon ship presently tailing us.”

The Yushin Maru No. 3 has been tailing the Steve Irwin for weeks, relaying positions to the Nisshin Maru. Because of this the Steve Irwin has not been able to close in on the Nisshin Maru. But the Sea Shepherd ships have been able to keep the Japanese whalers constantly moving. To date, Sea Shepherd ships have pursued the Japanese whaling fleet for over 15,000 nautical miles over the last 70 days.

The Sea Shepherd ships will continue to pursue the Japanese whaling fleet, intervening against their illegal whaling activities until the end of March 2012.

Captain Alex Cornelissen had to return to his duties as Sea Shepherd Director for the Galapagos. First Officer, Peter Hammarstedt of Sweden, has been promoted to Captain of the Bob Barker.

The Steve Irwin's small boats the Delta and the Terri avoid the Yushin Maru No. 3's water cannons. Photo: Billy Danger

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