Re: Whale wars boat sinking
I'm all for animal rights but the way I see it is terrorism is terrorism. Think of it another way, how about all the rest of the Japanese crew which were just hired to do a job. Dropping a cable or rope as they call it to foul the props or rudder of a large vessel can indeed in cause a major catastrophe. Anything that endangers the lives of others or your own crew at sea should be dealt with swiftly. To make things worse, these actions are documented on film.
It's one thing to go after them for taking whales but another to endanger a ships crew.
To me this would be the same as any other form of terrorism. The captain of that ship has the right to do what he thinks is necessary to protect his crew and vessel from harm. He's doing his job. Its like shooting a mailman because he brought you bad news or too many bills.
I also feel that there are more important issues in this world to throw money at than to fund a bunch of over the edge terrorist environmentalists. I agree, it's only a matter of time before someone ends up dead.
As to the the smaller vessel being hit, it does look to me like the larger vessel was indeed trying to pass behind the smaller one but it stopped in it's path. To me that's the fault of the smaller vessels captain. For one it had no business that close to a large vessel like that in the first place and their all lucky not to have been turned to chum by one of the props they were trying to foul. Second, the Sea Sheppard's captain or operator clearly intentionally endangered the lives of his crew.
I as a fisherman that fishes near a shipping channel at times would never get anywhere near a vessel that size. Just their prop wash alone is enough to wreak havoc on a smaller boat and the larger vessel simply cannot stop or change direction fast enough, provided the captain or wheelman can even see you. The fact that the Sea Sheppard's boat can't be seen very easy on radar also don't do much for their safety in those cases.
As far as the young crew of the Sea Sheppard's vessel, I doubt they even realize how little their captain appears to value their lives. But sadly I don't think they will have much trouble finding more to join that cause especially now due to the TV coverage.
If the Japanese whalers are breaking international law, then simply filming and documenting their over whaling should be the legal limit to what a private non law enforcement group can do.
I am also all for protecting one's self on the open seas, or anywhere else on the water for that matter. I too keep myself well armed while boating in open water. Especially if I'm out in open ocean.
