Sea Shepherd activists firing projectile bottles with a smaller launcher against Nisshin Maru. Credit ICR
Place where one of the paint projectiles hit on the Nisshin Maru . Credit ICR
The Sea Sheperd launcher projectiles can penetrate through the protective nets of the Nisshin Maru . Credit ICR
One of the butyric acid bottles fired by SS that landed unbroken (and retrieved) . Credit ICR
Japanese research whalers in the Antarctic have come under repeated attacks by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society over the last two days. The Japanese researchers said the activists approached the Nisshin Maru and repeatedly shot acid and paint projectiles.
The text of Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research press release from the incident follows:
The Nisshin Maru research vessel working for Japan's Antarctic whale research program (JARPA II) was today subjected to its third attack in less than 24 hours from the Dutch ship, the Steve Irwin.
Activists from the Steve Irwin shot acid and paint projectiles at the Nisshin Maru.
At about 20:30hrs JST February 17 (0030hrs NZDT February 18; 2230hrs AEDT), activists in rubber boats approached the Nisshin Maru and started firing numerous butyric acid and paint projectiles with launcher guns. Some of the projectiles landed and spilled on the Nisshin Maru deck.
The Dutch ship launcher gun projectiles have power enough to penetrate through the Nisshin Maru protective nets and tarpaulins.
There was no damage to the Nisshin Maru nor were there injuries to its crew.
The Nisshin Maru used its water cannons and broadcasted warning messages to prevent the Dutch vessel rubber boats approaching. The Togo-registered Bob Barker has disappeared from the scene and is no longer following the Nisshin Maru since the 16 February evening.
Yesterday, the Nisshin Maru was subjected to yet another butyric acid and paint projectile attack by the Netherlands-registered Steve Irwin.
Earlier in the day the Steve Irwin had repeatedly launched a hawser attack aiming to disable the rudder and propeller of the Nisshin Maru.
At about 16:00JST (2000hrs NZDT; 1800hrs AEDT) activists in rubber boats approached the Nisshin Maru and started firing numerous butyric acid and paint projectiles with a launcher gun. Some of the projectiles landed and spilled on the Nisshin Maru deck.
There were no damages to the Nisshin Maru or injuries to its crew.
The Nisshin Maru used its water cannons and broadcasted warning messages to prevent the Dutch vessel rubber boats approaching.
The Togo-registered Bob Barker has disappeared from the scene and is no longer following the Nisshin Maru.
The Institute of Cetacean Research strongly condemns the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society dangerous and violent actions carried out against Japan's whale research vessels and crews who are conducting perfectly legal research activities in the Antarctic.
The ICR urges again the Netherlands (the Steve Irwin's flag state), Australia (the de facto home port country to the Steve Irwin), the Togolese Republic (the Bob Barker's flag state), and all other related countries to take every means available to prevent the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society illegal and violent actions.
The ICR strongly requests that these countries observe their international obligations and deal with the Sea Shepherd in a strict and objective manner.