Sea Shepherd skipper boards whaling vessel

ANDREW DARBY
February 15, 2010 - 2:20PM

The skipper of the Sea Shepherd vessel that was sunk in a Southern Ocean collision last month has today boarded the Japanese whaling security vessel that hit his boat.

New Zealander Pete Bethune used a power-ski, under the cover of darkness, to clamber aboard the Shonan Maru No 2, said the anti-whaling group's leader, Paul Watson.

“His mission is to attempt a citizen's arrest of the skipper of Shonan Maru No.2 for the destruction of the Ady Gil and attempted murder of six Ady Gil crew,” Captain Watson said.

He said Mr Bethune had a bill for $3 million to present to the Japanese boat's skipper and a demand for surrender.

But Captain Watson said he anticipated Mr Bethune would be taken prisoner on the vessel when the Japanese crew discovered he was there.

Captain Watson said the boarding in darkness was very difficult for Captain Bethune.

"The first attempt he actually fell in the water and the jet-ski went back and retrieved him. [The crew] still didn't notice," Captain Watson told AAP.

"It was extremely dangerous. He was boarding a ship going at 15 knots in total darkness in Southern Ocean waters, which are extremely frigid."

Captain Bethune clambered aboard despite nets and anti-boarding spikes, and evaded detection by hiding on top of the wheelhouse for 90 minutes.

When dawn broke he knocked on the door and presented his orders for the skipper to surrender.

Captain Watson said a Japanese crew member emerged to look for the boat on which Captain Bethune had arrived. Finding none, the crew member then went back inside, leaving Captain Bethune standing there.

"Pete opened the door and walked into the wheelhouse ... that's the last we've heard of him," Captain Watson said.

The boarding took place in international waters, not in Australian waters.

- with AAP

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whale-watch/sea-shepherd-skipper-boards-whaling-vessel-20100215-o0cf.html
(Submitted by Matthew Williams)