Anti-whalers launch kamikaze operation

[tawadi]

Source: AAP

Anti-whalers launch kamikaze operation

By Tamara McLean in Auckland
From: AAP
October 03, 2011 10:16AM

RADICAL anti-whaling operation Sea Shepherd is promising dramatic attacks against Japanese whalers in coming months, with volunteers warning they're prepared to die for the cause.

The group has announced "Operation Divine Wind" against the Japanese whalers, who plan to begin their annual hunt in the Southern Ocean in December.

The name translates to the Japanese word kamikaze, the name given to World War II pilots sent on suicide missions.

Read more: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/anti-whalers-launch-kamikaze-operation/story-e6frf7jx-1226156920778

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This article makes sense. It's about "saving face" for the Japanese. I see that now.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

1. "Operation Divine Wind"? I support Sea Shepherds but "Operation Divine Wind"?

I don't think that worked out too well last time. (I understand the original "Divine Wind" did).

[geomon666]

2. Have fun dying. n/t

[ret5hd]

16. have fun killing someone so you can chew on whale meat.

[Endangered Specie]

3. pretty simple solution for these sort of things...

[AtheistCrusader]

4. Well, I hope they use something more durable than the EarthRace.

Because *CRUNCH*

[ZombieHorde]

5. Why don't they try to come up with a face-saving solution,

as opposed to the send-100-volunteers-and-we-don't-care-if-people-die plan? Seems like exhausting safer options would be a better choice.

I wonder how DU would respond if PETA declared they were willing to loose human lives for their cause?

[hack89]

15. It doesn't play well on TV? nt

[ZombieHorde]

20. I suspose that is true. A real solution would mean the end of the show,

while saying they're willing to die, may increase ratings.

[jmowreader]

6. Paul Watson: publicity whore

He has always asked his volunteers if they were willing to die to protect a whale, and you're not taken on his missions unless you are.

I would NOT put it past Paul Watson to put some of his people into situations where they get killed--this may have been the reason for Pete Bethune having the Ady Gil driven under the Shonan Maru 2. (Note to Paul Watson: marine transmissions have reverse gears in them for a reason.)

[eomer]

10. You may be right about your larger point but you're wrong about Ady Gil.

AG was the stand-on vessel in that crossing situation and was making little headway (about 4 knots if I remember correctly). SM2 was the give-way vessel and instead kept coming and even turned into AG in the final seconds

To blame the stand-on vessel for not using reverse gear instead of the give-way vessel for not giving way is a pretty extreme way to interpret the incident.

I can Google it for you (later) if you need to review the facts.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. IIRC no formal findings have been made

[eomer]

17. Here is the Investigation Report by Maritime New Zealand:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=13&ved=0CCoQFjACOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maritimenz.govt.nz%2FAdyGil%2FInvestigation-report-Ady-Gil-Shonan-Maru-Lo-rez.pdf&ei=HduJTqCaCYqSgQfTmdX5Cg&usg=AFQjCNHralREWtVsRDYMi0XJWmCqGaq0wg

To distill it down, the report concludes that Shonan Maru 2 had an obligation as the give-way vessel to stay clear from Ady Gil and instead, although well aware of the location of Ady Gil, steered in such a way as to intentionally create a close quarters situation. It concludes that Ady Gil as the stand-on vessel should have first maintained course but then should have taken avoidance action once it realized that Shonan Maru 2 was not going to and that it didn't do so due to a combination of poor visibility by the helmsman together with intentional non-action by the master, who did have good visibility and could have ordered actions to avoid a close quarters situation.

So the report faults the Shanon Maru 2 for intentional action intended to create a close quarters situation and the Ady Gil for intentional non-action intended to create a close quarters situation.

There is video of this incident as well as GPS tracks of each vessel. Having reviewed both extensively, I think the New Zealand conclusions seem pretty sound. The characterization that I reacted to originally, of "Pete Bethune having the Ady Gil driven under the Shonan Maru 2" does not seem sustainable by the evidence. Ady Gil may have sat and taken it but it definitely wasn't driven under the Shonan Maru 2.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. NZ was not the cognizant maritime authority but as a sovereign

nation with citizens and a vessel involved in the melee, were free to issue a report. Furthermore, as I recall the Japanese refused to participate or provide any data or personnel to participate. The NZ report is at best incomplete and non-binding.

The video analysis gets interesting since all platforms were moving in relation to each other. Without the vectors from all vessels, as well as FOV analysis and other basic data points, any reconstruction would have weak points. Pretty clear why the Japanese declined to play.

The reality was that the Ady Gil was playing chicken with a larger and more substantial vessel and lost.


All that said, I had indeed forgotten the NZ report.

Edit to add: Originally Japan said they would not provide anything. Apparently they changed their minds somewhat. Interesting report.

[jmowreader]

22. Look at the videos of that incident

Rule 17 says that a stand-on vessel is to maintain her course and speed, so the give-way vessel can predict her position and avoid her.

Rule 17 does NOT say you're supposed to go from idle (which AG was at before the SM2 got close enough) to all ahead full and drive straight into the path of the give-way vessel, which is what AG did.

[eomer]

27. Yes, I've watched the video repeatedly, some time ago.

By the time of that sudden acceleration by the Ady Gil helm in the last couple of seconds, Shonan Maru 2 had already put them on a course, intentionally, that was either a collision course or a near miss by a whisker, including a final turn toward Ady Gil when only 130 meters away.

The action by Ady Gil you mention was in the last seconds and was not ordered by the master who was topside and had an accurate picture of what was happening but rather was the initiative of the helmsman who had a very limited view. He has explained that he took that action trying to avoid collision based on his limited picture of the situation and in a split second. His very last action right before collision of reversing gear would seem to support his explanation. See page 20 of the MNZ Investigation Report for his account.

[Devil_Fish]

24. +1000 You know maritime rules well. Both power boats, neither restricted by draft.

The only possible argument is that both skippers have an obligation to avoid collison so at most you may be able to blame both parties, but it is clear that the SM2 activly caused the collision, and was the give way vessel in this crossing/overtaking situation.

[CJvR]

7. They are going back?

Again???

I thought the humiliating and costly fiasco of last season would have scuttled whaling operations down south permanently. With three ships, one fast enough to outrun the harpoon boats, and aerial recognizance keeping the SS at bay is hardly possible with peaceful means...

[ProgressiveProfessor]

19. Apparantly, and Watson is clearly counting on it

What good is a moralizing TV show without the bad guys?

[Posteritatis]

8. I'm not sure whether the operation name or the headline is sillier. (nt)

[GliderGuider]

9. Way to stick it in their face, Paul!

Yes, the language is extreme, but the so are the Japanese actions. If the life of a whale has intrinsic value, as deep ecologists believe, then the willingness to sacrifice one's own life to save many others is an admirable urge.
Paul Watson, :yourock:

K&R

[formercia]

11. That Water is very cold.

About -1deg C. You have just a few minutes to survive at those temperatures. The Water would turn to Ice if it wasn't for the Salt.

My ship spent several Months in that area. We were told, that if we fell overboard, we would be dead before the ship could turn around and pull us out.

[lumberjack_jeff]

12. ... and the TV ratings went through the roof! n/t

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. Given Watson's history, that figures heavily into his thinking

[The Traveler]

21. Sounds like you resent him for being effective. n/t

[GliderGuider]

23. Every cause looks for ways to increase their media exposure.

Watson's just a bit more up front about it than most.

[ZombieHorde]

29. Do you think a face-saving plan would work better than an aggressive plan?

Should we exhaust aggressive ideas before we move on to negotiations?

[GliderGuider]

30. No.

We've been negotiating since 1946 (founding date of IWC). I think 65 years is about long enough to take the temperature of these waters. The Japanese always have one face-saving option available to them: decommission their whaling fleet and apologize for their ecologically criminal behaviour. (On edit: OK, I'd settle for just the decommissioning.) They would be welcomed back into the bosom of the global eco-family with great huzzahs. It's long past time for them to honour their Shinto roots, respect the kami of the oceans and the whales, and do the right thing for a change.

[ZombieHorde]

31. Your definition of face saving is irrelevant to this situation.

If we are sincerely interested in stopping the killing of whales outside of the US (it's cool when we do it) then we should use their definition of face saving.

[GliderGuider]

32. No.

Enough is enough. They've had lots of chances to "save face" if they wanted to. They don't want to. It's time to use some stick. All they need to do is stop.

[eomer]

33. Agreed. If they need to save face, let them tell just one more baldfaced lie, if they wish.

They've been using a baldfaced lie as a cover story for continuing whaling, which is that it is scientific research.

So let them declare that they've finished their research and the study can now end. I don't see any other way they can save face, anyway, other than maintaining the farce. So let them maintain the farce (who cares?) but let them stop.

[ZombieHorde]

35. Good luck with that. nt

[GliderGuider]

37. Why would I need luck? I'm not trying to do anything beyond hold an opinion.

And donate to SSCS, of course.

I've been following the issue for enough years to have become pretty hard-nosed about it, but it's still just my opinion.

[ZombieHorde]

38. Good luck with your big stick attitude against peaceful people.

Many people have accomplished goals with that attitude, you might too.

"In a controversy, the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves." -Buddha

[GliderGuider]

39. Peaceful people who behave peacefully are one thing

Whalers are another thing entirely.

Since you're interested in Buddhism, this might also be of interest to you.

http://www.blia.org/english/publications/booklet/pages/08.htm

When our interests are compromised, we get irritated. This is not the case with the Buddha. The Buddha would not mind if you were not nice to him; however, the Buddha would become angry if you were to mistreat others. Let me illustrate this point with the following episode from the sutra.

Once, the Buddha was traveling with his group of bhiksus to preach the Dharma at some neighboring cities. Among them, some bhiksus were impatient and quick-tempered, while others were of a calmer temperament. On the way, they stopped to rest for the night at a temple. As soon as they settled down, the impatient ones quickly took claim of the available beds. "This is mine!" "That is mine!" In this way, all the available beds were claimed in no time, and Sariputra, the Buddha's leading disciple, was left without a bed. So, he decided to practice walking meditation outdoors. When the Buddha saw Sariputra strolling outside, the Buddha went up to him and asked, "Sariputra, it is quite late now. Why are you not in bed and still wandering in the yard?" Sariputra then related to the Buddha what happened, "We have a lot of bhiksus and there are not enough beds to go around. Some of the new bhiksus wanted to find a bed to retire for the night, so I let them rest first." When the Buddha heard this, he was very angry. He immediately called everyone to a meeting in which the Buddha preached about what respect one should have for one's seniors and elders.

And then there's this little story...

The Buddha would get angry with those who were only concerned with their own welfare and had no regard for the hardships of others. The Buddha could also become displeased when a prank, even that of a youngster, ended up hurting others. Let me illustrate with the following example. Before the Buddha renounced his life of a prince, he had a son by the name of Rahula. When Rahula was still a young child, he followed the example of his father and renounced his household life to become a monk. As he was quite young, he was very mischievous and liked to tell little white lies. Once, someone asked Rahula, "Do you know where the Buddha is right now?" Although he knew full well that the Buddha was in the room to his left, he purposely pointed to the right and told the other person, "The Buddha is over there, over there." When the person came back empty-handed, Rahula was very pleased with himself

Later, the Buddha learned of this incident and called Rahula to come before him. When Rahula saw the stern look on the Buddha, he did not dare to say a word. Quietly, he went to fetch a basin of water for the Buddha to wash his feet, hoping that the Buddha would soon start to preach. After the Buddha washed his feet, the Buddha told Rahula, "Take this basin of water and drink it!"

Rahula was shocked with what he just heard, and he replied, "Lord Buddha, the water used for washing the feet is very filthy and is not suitable for drinking!"
The Buddha instructed, "When you tell lies, your mouth is as filthy as the dirty water in this basin. Nobody would want you, either!"
Rahula then went to discard the water. Afterwards, the Buddha told him, "Use this basin to hold your food!"
Rahula appeared very troubled and said, "Lord Buddha, this basin that was used for washing the feet is very dirty; I cannot put my food into it!"
The Buddha reproached him, "When your mouth often tell lies, it is just as filthy as this basin. It cannot be used to store anything wholesome."
As soon as he finished, the Buddha gave the basin a kick. The basin rolled noisily for quite a distance and Rahula was frightened. The Buddha asked Rahula, "Are you worried that I may ruin the basin?"
"No, the basin is a cheap basin. If it is broken, I can buy a new one. It does not matter!"
The Buddha again reprimanded Rahula, "Children who tell lies are just like this cheap basin; no one would feel sorry even if it is ruined."

I suspect that the Buddha in these sutra passages might get a little pissed at the Japanese whalers for murdering whales for no good reason and then lying about why they are doing it. Surely what's appropriate for the Buddha is appropriate for a mere mortal such as myself?

[ZombieHorde]

40. In the parables, Buddha is not using a stick, he is using his words.

He did not gather volunteers, and then claim he was willing to risk their lives.

I don't think calling the whalers "murderers" is accurate. Hunting and fishing for nonhuman animals is not murder. Do you think the Inuits are murderers for their whaling? Sea Shepard would probably have better luck messing with their boats, since they are smaller, and the Inuits have fewer resources.

[flvegan]

25. I wish them the best of luck, as always.

[roody]

26. Be a part of it. Donate.

https://my.seashepherd.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=184

[Violet_Crumble]

28. Government condemns Japan's whaling plan

THE Federal Government has condemned a decision by Japan to continue hunting whales in the Southern Ocean, saying Australia remains opposed to the so-called scientific whaling program.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said the Government was disappointed the whaling would take place in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, established by the International Whaling Commission.

"There is widespread concern in the international community at Japan's whaling program and (there are) widespread calls for it to cease," Mr Rudd said today in a joint statement with Environment Minister Tony Burke and Attorney-General Robert McClelland.

Earlier today, Japan announced its whaling program would go ahead this year as planned in December.

Japan's fisheries minister said measures would be taken to ensure the safety of whalers after tense clashes with the conservationist group Sea Shepherd in previous years.

Mr McClelland said Australia's decision to take legal action against Japan in May 2010 in the International Court of Justice was not taken lightly.



Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/government-condemns-japans-whaling-plan/story-e6frfku0-1226158362265#ixzz1ZoVhgW6q

[Bucky]

34. Unless they're actually smashing their cigarette boats into the whaling vessels, I'm not impressed

Step up your game, guys. If there ain't blood in the water, you're not really trying.

[Raster]

36. "Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research"

:rofl: