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Heading North with the Nisshin Maru
2007-02-27 00:05:02 Posted by Dave, on the Esperanza It's a fairly slack Southern Ocean this evening. We're out of the Ross Sea now, and heading north, with the whaling fleet strung out a mile or two away on our port side. They took off on Saturday night at a great rate - up to 14 knots. Now they're ambling along at 7 knots.
Meet the Japanese Fleet Fleet - the Nisshin Maru and its friends
2007-02-25 06:02:03 Posted by Dave, on the Esperanza Whaling catcher boat Yushin Maru © Greenpeace/Beltra With all the recent media coverage about the Japanese whaling fleet, it's easy to get confused about which whaling ship is which. So we've put together this useful guide. The Lovely Elaine (as she is now universally known) has put together a fantastic guide to the Japanese Government's whaling fleet currently in the Southern Ocean. Don't be fooled by the word "RESEARCH" that's plastered over their vessels - that's just part of the "scientific whaling" whitewash used by the Institute of Cetacean Research. In reality, the Japanese government is pushing for a return to commercial whaling - and the "scientific whaling" fleet is at the vanguard of this push - they had planned to kill 945 whales this year for "research" purposes - then sell the meat.
Nisshin Maru to finally leave the Southern Ocean (and don't come back!)
2007-02-24 12:00:18 Posted by Dave, on the Esperanza Nisshin Maru and friends © Greenpeace/Beltra" src="http://weblog.greenpeace.o-rg/oceandefenders/images/stop_w-haling2007/20070219_heli_362_20-0.jpg" width="200" height="133" />The Nisshin Maru and friends from other whaling ships © Greenpeace/Beltra At around 17:30 today, the expedition leader of the Japanese government's whaling fleet radioed, informing us that the Nisshin Maru - disabled nine days ago by fire - plans to start sailing in three hours. He also said that the whole fleet was currently being re-fuelled, in preparation for departure. This is a relief - after nine long days, the whaling fleet is finally leaving the Ross Sea, and the unsullied environment of the Southern Ocean, and we're ready to escort the fleet out of Antarctic waters. We're pretty unimpressed with how Japanese government officials in Tokyo - and their PR spindoctor in New Zealand - have done their damndest to trivialise the extent of what has truly been ...
Nisshin Maru on the move
2007-02-24 12:00:18 Posted by Dave, on the Esperanza About an hour ago, the Nisshin Maru separated from the two ships she's been tethered to - the Oriental Bluebird and the Yushin Maru No.2. She steamed about 2 miles at about 12 knots, then stopped again, as has the whole fleet. Let's hope that with the Nisshin Maru moving under her own power, this is a sign that the whaling fleet is ready to leave. If it is, we believe that this should be the last time - ever - that the Japanese whaling fleet comes to the Southern Ocean. P.S. - if the webcam gives the impression that the Nisshin Maru is moving, bear in mind that the Esperanza might be moving relative to it, and we might be moving the web camera to keep the Nisshin Maru in frame. - Dave
Ocean Defenders TV: Nisshin Maru report
2007-02-20 05:54:01 Posted by Dave, on the Esperanza Sara, our on board media officer, reports on the situation around the Nisshin Maru, and speaks to our captain, Frank, to our helicopter pilot, Hughie and to our campaigners Melanie and Karl, about the deteriorating ice situation in the Ross Sea, and the environmental threat caused by the disabled whaling factory ship. Watch Ocean Defenders TV »
Where is the Nisshin Maru?
2007-02-20 05:54:01 Posted by Dave, on the Esperanza Over the last few days and weeks, we've been talking about mysterious places like the "Ross Sea" and the "Southern Ocean". These places are a long way from anywhere, so it's not surprising that many people don't have a great understanding of Antarctic geography. The lovely Elaine, currently in Sydney, has knocked together this ultra-cool interactive map showing just where the Nisshin Maru, the whaling fleet and the Esperanza are right now. :
Japan, please accept the our offer to tow the Nisshin Maru!
2007-02-19 23:53:01 Posted by Dave, on the Esperanza The Nisshin Maru with other whaling vessels © Greenpeace/Beltra As you know, the Esperanza is currently standing by the Japanese whaling factory ship Nisshin Maru, which was last week crippled by an accidental fire. It's currently without engine power in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Oil and fuel on board the Nisshin Maru presents an immediate and unacceptable risk to the pristine Antarctic environment - and the ice and weather are closing in. We've offered to tow the Nisshin Maru to safety. The Esperanza was constructed as a fire-fighting vessel and has towing capabilities. Captain Frank has ten years experience on a salvage tug.
Esperanza arrives at the crippled Nisshin Maru
2007-02-16 23:49:02 Posted by Dave, on the EsperanzaThe crippled Nisshin Maru and other whaling vessels © Greenpeace/Beltra We sighted the Japanese government's whaling factory ship Nisshin Maru at about 07.00 (New Zealand daylight time) this morning. Two ships - the re-supply and re-fuelling vessel Oriental Bluebird and one of the harpoon, or catcher boats - are tied either side of the Nisshin Maru. Nearby are two more catcher boats. Standing off, some distance away is the US Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Sea - they've asked us for assistance in translating, and like us, want to assess the situation.
Esperanza ready to tow the Nisshin Maru out of danger - and prevent environ
2007-02-16 05:48:01 Posted by the crew of the Esperanza The Esperanza in pack ice © Greenpeace/Beltra Right now, the Esperanza is less than 24 hours sailing from the disabled whaling factory ship,Nisshin Maru. We've made a commitment to the fleet that we will assist the crew in any way possible, and make an environmental impact assessment if needed. One crewmember of the Nisshin Maru is still missing and it's reported in the media that the ship may be carrying approximately 1,000 tons of oil. The Nisshin Maru is also, apparently less than 100 nautical miles from the largest Adelie penguin colony in the world. The Fisheries Agency of Japan has already refused help from us, labelling us "terrorists" - but the Esperanza is still continuing towards the stricken vessel. The thing is - our first thoughts are for the missing crewman, as well as the rest of the people on board. We don't think that this is any time be to playing politics from behind a desk in Tokyo. We've got a human tragedy an...
Distress call from the Nisshin Maru
2007-02-15 11:46:02 The first thoughts of all of us on the Esperanza is for the crew of the Japanese whaling factory ship Nisshin Maru. We hope that news reports that one crew member is missing are incorrect and he or she is found safe and well. At approximately 05.45 New Zealand time (NZDT) the Esperanza responded to a distress call from the Nisshin Maru. We contacted the New Zealand Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), who gave the nature of the distress as a fire/explosion, and requested our assistance. We confirmed that the Esperanza would assist. At 07.40 NZDT, New Zealand MRCC informed the Esperanza that we were no longer required. We have no details of the incident or what caused it. We remain ready to assist with the emergency. |
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