Whaling Ship Refuels, But Not Without Trouble

The Age

Wednesday January 23, 2008

By Andrew Darby

DESPITE the efforts of Greenpeace, the Japanese whaling factory ship Nisshin Maru has been refuelled at sea in the Antarctic, increasing its endurance against anti-whaling activists.

Greenpeace campaigners yesterday ran a gauntlet of icy water from above when they squeezed a small boat between the factory ship and its resupply vessel, Oriental Bluebird, temporarily delaying the refuelling.

But as the ships' hulls closed together, the activists moved clear and the refuelling lines were hooked up. "It was too dangerous to stay," said Greenpeace spokesman Dave Walsh.

Oriental Bluebird has been delayed from refuelling the Nisshin Maru for up to 10 days as the factory ship tried first to steer clear of activists from Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd, and then weathered Southern Ocean gales.

But without a refuelling capability for their own ships, both groups must guard reserves.

Paul Watson, captain ofSea Shepherd's ship, the Steve Irwin, said that his ship may have the greater endurance of the two.

© 2008 The Age

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