Kisses from the Kyo Maru

Safety fears in the Southern Ocean | Home | Bump on the head

21 December 2005

by Andrew, onboard the Esperanza

Although my last post was about the Kyo Maru, it's worth mentioning that it is not alone in behaving like that. We've put our boats off the stern of the factory ship many times on past expeditions to slow the whaling process down, and in my experience all the hunter ships will muscle our little boats right out of the way. So today we tried something new, and Kyo went well over the line in response.

I should start by saying this is something we've wanted to do for years (at least I have), but we needed a ship as manoeuvrable as the Esperanza to do it safely. I'll also need to explain a bit about how the whaling process works: Three ships go out hunting. When they harpoon a whale they tie it alongside, and bring it to the factory ship. A cable from the factory ship is used to pull the whale up its stern ramp. The whole transfer process happens at about 5 knots (6 mph/9 kph). More importantly, if the whale is tied along the port (left) side of the hunter, then the ship has to be positioned behind and a bit to starboard (right) of the factory ship before they can transfer the whale.

Today, Frank parked the Esperanza right about where the hunter ship wanted to be - approximately 100 metres (roughly 100 yards) behind the factory ship. Close enough to wreck havoc with their transfer process, but far enough back to stay safe.

After pushing through our boats the Kyo came alongside the Esperanza from the stern, and very deliberately steered right into her. People on board the Esperanza tell me our whole ship shook at the bump, although I don't think it was intended to cause damage. While the crew of the Kyo turned their fire hoses on our ship, their helmsman backed off and came in again - most likely trying to push the Esperanza out of the way. But the Esperanza is quite a lot bigger and more solid than our rubber and plastic boats. The whaling ship couldn't move her. As he had during the entire incident, Frank steered a steady course.

The only comical aspect I have heard about this whole dangerous episode, was John's report of a lone Kyo deckhand, futilely running around with a fender, trying to cushion the impact.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident - although it is easy enough to knock someone overboard or jar them into something with this kind of unexpected hit. And the damage to our ship is not serious (i.e. scratched paint). But it is scary that the whalers will - out of frustration, anger or maybe over eagerness - resort to running into our ship.

For our part, we stay non-violent and peaceful. With the Kyo on us, the factory ship changed course, leaving the Esperanza out of position and making the transfer possible. Frank had to decide - he had the bigger ship and could have pushed the Kyo back out of position. Instead, he chose to steer a steady course, a decision not regretted.

Comments

Sorry if my question is absurd in regard to navigation laws, i don't know anything of sea rules. The Kyo has hit voluntarily the Esperanza, is there no laws against this sort of action, is a boat allowed to hit another ? No way to have them in justice for that ? Isn't that a voluntarily threat on the lives of the crew ?
I wish you all very much success (and a lot of fun too). My thoughts are with you.
Cathy

Posted by: Cathy at December 21, 2005 4:15 PM

I know this is the wrong place to ask this kind of things, but why can't you guys open up a PayPal account so we can donate some money to you and support what you are doing?

Posted by: Simon at December 21, 2005 4:32 PM

I'm so proud of you guys...always a little worried for you, but very proud. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do.

Be safe, be well,
Kim

Posted by: Kimberly at December 21, 2005 6:03 PM

Is it not illegal to turn hoses on you?

It is wonderful the work that you are doing. Congratulations and good luck.

Posted by: Chas at December 21, 2005 6:47 PM

In a strange parallel to the drama unfolding in the Southern Ocean, up here in New Zealand hundreds of people have been out battling to save the lives of over 100 pilot whales stranded on a beach in Golden Bay. "More than 120 volunteers battled until just before nightfall, covering the whales with sheets and continually pouring seawater on them to prevent their skins from drying out."