Sea Shepherd and Japanese Whaling Vessel Collide Again

The Bob Barker, the newest ship in Sea Shepherd's anti-whaling fleet, allegedly collided with a Japanese whaling ship in the antarctic ocean last weekend. The impact tore a three foot gash in the Bob Barker's hull that Sea Shepherd welders are currently working to repair. According to an update from captain Paul Watson, the Bob Barker is in no danger of sinking. The Japanese whaler Yushin Maru 3 also appears to have suffered damage from the impact, as it has not moved since the collision last weekend. Video taken by Sea Shepherd shows the two ships set on a collision course, similar to the game "chicken." The Japanese boat swerves prior to impact, but the stern of the vessel swings with the boat's momentum slides into the Bob Barker's starboard side.

Watson says that the harpoon ships began circling the Bob Barker "like sharks" as the vessel attempted the block the slipway of the factory ship that handles the butchering of the whales. "They were making near passes to the stern and the bow of the Bob Barker, then the Yushin Maru 3 intentionally rammed the Bob Barker," claims Watson.

Japan's institute of Cetacean Research says that the whaling ships did encircle the Bob Barker in response to numerous near-collisions with the Nisshin Maru mother ship. The ICR claims that the Bob Barker crew plotted the collision course to facilitate a laser and stink-bomb attack on the Japanese crew. According to a written statement, the Yushin Maru 3 took minor damage to the hull and deck railing.

Australia and New Zealand are calling on both sides to calm down, as conflict this year has escalated to record levels.