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
Stumble It!
In the classic Ninja vs Pirate battle, this would be a classic except that real ninjas don't use rifles. Nice shot, though. Too bad the Japanese vessel will be impounded next port she reaches.
I never understood why they hunted whales. What purpose do they serve? Food?
updated 12:56 p.m. ET, Thurs., June. 23, 2005
TOKYO - A fast food chain in northern Japan began offering a whale burger on Thursday, even as anti-whaling nations urged Japan to cut back on its catch at an international conference on whaling.
Restaurant chain Lucky Pierrot is serving a deep fried minke whale meat burger with lettuce and mayonnaise for $3.50 at its 10 restaurants in Hakodate on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, once a whaling hub in the nation.
Japan is facing increasing international criticism for its research whaling program in which the whales are killed in order to study them and their meat is then sold. Critics say it is commercial hunting in disguise.
Why is it 'too bad the Japanese vessel will be impounded next port she reaches'?
Doc,
Why is it 'too bad the Japanese vessel will be impounded next port she reaches'?
It's sarcasm.
When you start shooting at protesters, the rules change. Just as the Sea Shepherd is flagged in a pretty lax country as far as ocean rules go (Liberia?) the Japanese vessel will probably be seized when it next enters port under the rules of the country it's flagged under.
I didn't actually know the Japanese ate whale. How sick is that? It would be like eating baby monkey, or puppies. But saltier.
I'm sure that the ninjas will send reinforcements any day now and the battle can resume
Arrrr!
Nope never tried it myself. Must be the rotting salmon that they dine on that turns me off. I prefer Vancouver Island marmot, but they are getting so darn hard to find I only get to feast on one about once a year.
I can see whaling ships having high power rifles and expert marksmen on board to kill the catch, but the question is whether the shooter acted on his own, or was ordered by the captain and who ordered the captain?
Warning shots are not fired in the direction of anything, or anybody. The purpose is to make noise and call attention, not to hit. Which means that the excuse is hollow and the action should be treated as a criminal act.
Now the question comes up, who will identify the shooter ? The crew ? Fat chance.
Ed Deak.
I guess it isn't officially-sanctioned news.
Was the Japanese ship a whaler or Japanese Coast guard?
Was the Japanese ship a whaler or Japanese Coast guard?
It was a factory whaling ship. Japanese Coast guard officers are aboard her.
http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_080307_1.html
I love the name of the boat. The 'Steve Irwin'.
"Roight, seems a bit cranky to me. Crikey, mate. You're far safer dealing with crocodiles and western diamondback rattlesnakes than Japanese 'scientists' 'studying' whales."
To Quote Steve Irwin: "I believe sustainable use is the greatest propaganda in wildlife conservation at the moment."