22 December 2005
Rotating penguin story
by Andrew, onboard the Esperanza
Thought I'd include this since my last post was such a downer. I heard it from Nathan, and checked with a couple witnesses. To set the scene, the Yushin Maru was pushing through a lot of loose pack ice to try and shake our boats off. Nathan (driving the Billy G.) did the best he could to stay out in front, but the thin aluminum hull of his boat isn't exactly suitable for icebreaking.At one point he gets trapped in a pocket of open water beside the whaling ship. In the middle of this sort of pond is a flat piece of ice with a very surprised looking penguin on it. The little guy probably had no idea what to make of any of these large noisy things passing by, and was obviously taken aback by the whole spectacle. Nathan was already closer to the penguin than he wanted to be, but didn't have a choice. The penguin, apparently also searching for options, made a tactical decision to turn around and pretend Nathan wasn't there - perhaps thinking, "If I can't see him, he can't see me". To keep moving though Nathan had to drive in a circle around the ice floe. As he did, the penguin rotated to keep him out of sight.
Finding a clear lead forward, Nathan drove off. Glancing back though he saw the penguin staring after him with a look Nathan swears said, "Hey wow, that actually worked!"
Comments
How come it isn't possible to use whale repelling sonar from greenpeace boats while following whalers - like the south african's use to repel great whites from their beaches? Is that technology useless for whales, or can it not be used "on the move"?
Posted by: copernicus at December 23, 2005 12:26 AM
The video and images are impacting...hard to belive.
Im shock...wow.
Posted by: Cristobal MElla at December 23, 2005 1:43 AM
That's a funny story! I'm glad there's still humor in your mission to protect the whales.
Posted by: Caroline at December 23, 2005 1:26 PM
All updates from the Southern Ocean whaling 2007 leg »
All updates from the Pacific transit »
All updates from the Mexico leg »
All updates from the Hawaii leg »
All updates from the Pacific leg »
All updates from the Philippines leg »
All updates from the India leg »
All updates from the Red Sea leg »
All updates from the Mediterranean leg »
All updates from the Azores leg »
All updates from the Pirate Fishing/Africa leg »
All updates from the Southern Ocean »
Avast ye land lubbers! The ocean critters need your help!
Take action today!
