Earthrace/Sea shepherd boat sinks...

[Nos4r2]

Well, that lasted long!

It's been hit by a security ship and it sank. What a surprise.

http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=52255

Better page here-including footage of it getting rammed:-

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/anti...-1225816667832

is it just me, or does it look like it moves under the bow too late for the security ship to avoid it?

[willfinch36]

haha brilliant, was only the other day I was looking at pictures of their new boat.

[stafs]

Looks more like a suicide mission than a ramming !!

Much that I disagree with the killing of Whales I think this organisation is more like a terrorist organisation.

All that being said it's good to see that the crew are all safe.

[C2 RIBS]

When I posted the images of the craft I never expected to see it broken in such a manner
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=33648-
You tube have removed the video of the crash!

[Channel Ribs]

Who could have predicted a boat marketed as "Stealth" would end up colliding with the very boats they are trying to stop, oh hang on - we did.

Whaling should be stopped, but not sure it will be by guys dressed like they are about to deliver Milk Tray.

[Duck Witch]

If you have a stealth boat and want to use it against whaling, surely the best thing to do would be to monitor the (so called) research boats. They are only allowed to kill a small number of whales, proving that they take more than that is one of the few ways to get them stopped and make it internationally illegal.

[Carl]

what knobs

[chewy]

If you watch the second video then the Whaler does turn into the Stealth boat causing the collison.
It looks like it could have been avoided if the Stealth boat had a competant crew.

[Matt]

But you can also clearly see ady gill is making way and accelerates into the path of the ship moments before the collision. If they had been stationary as they claim, I suspect it would have been a near miss.

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Matt

But you can also clearly see ady gill is making way and accelerates into the path of the ship moments before the collision. If they had been stationary as they claim, I suspect it would have been a near miss.

Yes it looked that way to me too

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by chewy

...it could have been avoided if the Stealth boat had a competant crew.

From what I read on their web site the whole purpose of the boat was to get in the way???

Edit: And they can now claim they were the stand on vessel, going slowly in a straight line etc etc.

[chewy]

Originally Posted by malthouse

From what I read on their web site the whole purpose of the boat was to get in the way???

Edit: And they can now claim they were the stand on vessel, going slowly in a straight line etc etc.

The purpose was to get in the way.... you'd have bought a steel boat for that though!

[karlT]

Well, as both vessels have ultimate responsibility to take action to AVOID a collision I don't think the stealth boat accelerating at the last minute to ensure a collision is very professional.

The other video from (sea shephard??) clearly shows that the 'research ship' did take very late avoiding action.

The photos on the link show that the stealth boat was probably the overtaking vessel in the run up to this incident and thus the responsibility to give way was vested firmly in their corner.

There is also a photo of a green laser being directed at the research vessel.

I totally disagree with the whole whaling scenario!! However, what sea shephard and the stealth boat do / continue to do amounts to terrorism.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by chewy

The purpose was to get in the way.... you'd have bought a steel boat for that though!

You would have, I would have....... Them?

Edit: Not sure if I said this before, but if I were setting out do what they aim* then I would want something very robust and very brightly coloured so there could be no claims of not seeing me.

* To get in the way and disrupt the process.

[Erin]

Not entilerly sure the Chinese boat needed to keep firing the water canon at them after they'd been struck. It seems to be a big game of chicken WRT their purpose/activities in getting in the way of whaling boats.

Regardless of the outcome, at least it is a bit more world publicity about whaling etc.

[Chris]

Paul Watson (Sea Shepherd) knows how important publicity is to his fight and I think he places the lives of the whales several notches higher than the lives of his crew.

I would say this is a publicity stunt. After all what else would have happened to the Earthrace boat now it has completed its original mission, it would probably end up rotting in a marina somewhere. Why not go out in style !!

[PeterM]

What a waste of decent boat . Seems as if the whaler turned into them to 'scare' them . Ady Gill tried at the last minute to get clearer by shoving forward instead of astern. I'd say it would have been clear if it hadn't accelerated - very very close but just clear .

If they want to play dangerous games its bound to happen - my only thought is did it actually stop any whaling or just nearly kill 6 people ?

Lucky the boat is designed to be submerged & I hope it has a sealed bulkhead in the bow - otherwise its only going one way.........

[Matt]

Trying to get clear normally involves moving away from the danger not towards - unless your name is Rogue Scratcher.

Originally Posted by Blackroady

Ady Gill tried at the last minute to get clearer by shoving forward instead of astern.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Blackroady

Seems as if the whaler turned into them to 'scare' them.

I am not sure it was a whaler, didn't the report say it was a security boat?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Erin

the Chinese boat

Ehh... Japanese!