| NEWS ARCHIVES |
| |
| Ship protesting against Japanese whaling sinks |
| 8 Jan 2010 |
| |
|
A futuristic protest boat struck by a Japanese harpoon vessel near Antarctica has finally sunk.
The hardline Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's powerboat Ady Gil had its bow sliced off on Wednesday by the Japanese security ship Shonan Maru No. 2.
The boat floated in the Southern Ocean for two days as anti-whaling protesters tried to get it to safety at a French research base on the Antarctic coast.
The Sea Shepherd's captain, Paul Watson, said Japanese whalers ignored all distress calls after the boat was crippled in the collision.
Japan has lodged a protest with New Zealand's government over the incident.
Tokyo is accusing the Ady Gil of suddenly slowing in front of the whaler, causing the collision.
Both Australia and New Zealand have launched inquiries into the clash and have appealed for calm on both sides. |