Ice threatens to trap stranded Japanese whaler

[Barrett808]

Ice threatens to trap stranded Japanese whaler
Mon 19 Feb 2007 12:32 AM ET
By Rob Taylor

CANBERRA, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Ice threatened to trap a damaged Japanese whaling ship stranded off Antarctica, anti-whaling activists said on Monday, raising fears of an environmental disaster close to a major penguin colony.

The Nisshin Maru, an 8,000 tonne Japan whaling fleet flagship, has been disabled since a fire last Thursday that killed a crewman, sparking concern oil or chemicals could spill into one of the world's last pristine seas.

The Japanese have rejected offers from environment watchdog Greenpeace to tow the stricken vessel to port in favour of attempting repairs, but activists monitoring fast-moving ice floes on behalf of the ship warned time was running out.

"There is a big finger of ice to the east of us, which is moving up and across, and there is a concern that if the wind changes and pushes that towards us, then we'll all get pinned in along the continent," Greenpeace spokeswoman Sarah Holden told Reuters by satellite phone from the area. ... "The only thing we can predict is that the ice will continue to increase and expand, because we're coming to winter," Holden said.

(more)

http://article.wn.com/view/2007/02/19/Ice_threatens_to_trap_stranded_Japanese_whaler_g/

[Lowell]

1. It is difficult mustering any sympathy

for these stranded whalers. But averting an ecological disaster is the important thing.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Their refusal of the offer of help

is what is commomly know as "cutting your nose to spite your face". What bunch of idiots. x(

[Deja Q]

2. Isn't whaling illegal? And this scenario sounds more like

the Kobayashi Maru... a no-win scenario envisioned in the 1982 sci-fi movie "Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan".

[Ian David]

4. The reason they refused the offer to be towed to port...

is because Greenpeace was going to take them to New Zealand.

Where their cargo would be confiscated and destroyed.

Where's your Godzilla NOW??

[aybayb]

5. A Lesson Learned (I hope)

Mustn't mess with Mother Nature

[mcscajun]

6. aybayb -- Please check your Inbox

There's a message for you. :)

Look for the Inbox icon at the top of the page.

[Barrett808]

7. Welcome to DU, aybayb!

:hi:

[Coventina]

8. If the bull-headedness of these whalers & their government cause

a huge environmental disaster, I propose the world form a class-action lawsuit against them.

Put the whalers out of business once & for all.

[Barrett808]

9. NZ Issues Warning To Japan Over Whaling Ship

New Zealand has warned Japan its whaling programme could come under fresh international scrutiny if a disabled vessel in its fleet leaks oil.

The Nisshin Maru has been disabled since Thursday morning after a fire in its engine room.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the ship should be towed out of the area as quickly as possible.

The BBC reports she warned of an international backlash if the Nisshin Maru causes an environmental disaster.

Miss Clark is angry that the Japanese refused an offer of help from Greenpeace, whose protest ship arrived at the scene on Saturday morning.

The Japanese have asked the ship, a former salvage vessel, to remain on stand-by. But they are reluctant to accept assistance from environmental activists, who they regard as terrorists.

In her strongest comments yet, Miss Clark indicated on Monday that the New Zealand government's patience is fast running out.

“We believe the ship has to be moved north. Obviously, your first priority in a dangerous marine environment is to safeguard life, and we have a stricken ship, that's an issue. One crew member's life has already been lost,” she said.

“Secondly, we have a huge concern for the environment, a pristine environment in the area of Antarctica where New Zealand has a claim. So we would like to see that stricken ship out of there as soon as possible.”

Repair crews have managed to restore power on the factory ship and now hope to restart its engines.

Greenpeace insists the Nisshin Maru has little chance of making it on its own and fears the weather could easily deteriorate before help arrives.

Maritime New Zealand is adamant a stricken Japanese whaling ship must leave the Southern Ocean, amid ongoing efforts to restore power to the vessel.

A Maritime New Zealand spokesperson says a risk remains and the Nisshin Maru needs to leave the area as soon as possible.

http://www.newswire.co.nz/main/viewstory.aspx?storyid=359466&catid=35

[okasha]

10. Doesn't NZ have a couple frigates in the area?

Board the damn thing, take the crew off, and tow it out.

[Barrett808]

11. Power restored to stranded Japanese whaling ship

New Zealand Maritime Authorities say full electrical power has been restored to a Japanese whaling ship that has been stranded in the Southern Ocean.

A fire broke out in the engine room of the Nisshin Maru last Thursday, killing a 27 year old crewman.

Steve Corbett, from Maritime New Zealand, says the ship's crew has made significant progress in fixing the ship.

"They've had quite a bit of success working hard throughout yesterday," he said.

"They've managed to get another set of generators going which has restored full electrical power and given them heating and lighting."

Mr Corbett says they have also rigged up towing arrangements in case their major efforts to get the engines started are not successful.

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s1851769.htm