7 January 2006
Contrasts
by Andrew, onboard the Esperanza
©Greenpeace/Sutton-Hibbert
I found this behaviour strange since all of the whalers always seem so careful and conscious of their own safety. I'm sure they would never dream of pointing the harpoon gun at a fellow crewmember. And anyone who knows anything about gun safety knows not to point them at people. Not even with the safety on. Not even if the people are very very annoying. But that's what this guy was doing.
A cheerful palaver
That set the scene for my own turn in the Billy Greene - meaning I was completely unprepared for what happened next. Zeger was driving; Luke, Jetske and I were crew. We went to the Kyo Maru, which had made a kill while we were refuelling. When we arrived, they already had the whale alongside, but were just sitting in the water - not really doing anything. One of them waved us over, so why not, we pulled close to say, "konichiwa" [hello]. They were feeling chatty mood, and fortunately a number of them spoke English, plus Jetske and I had been faithfully attending John's Japanese lessons.
Still we couldn't really communicate much besides agreeing that it was cold out, and it would be nicer if we could all just sleep in tomorrow (Sunday). The Esperanza was nearby so we zipped back to pick up Yuko (campaigner) and John (translator). They had a good talk with the deck crew. It was a strange scene, but productive.
After everyone finished chatting and taking photos of each other (shatta-chansu is one of my favourite Japanese words), we took Yuko and John back to the Esperanza before chasing after the Kyo, now on it's way to deliver the whale to their factory ship.
Uncomfortably close
After the transfer it was clear that friendly chat time was over. There were three spotters up in the crow's nest and more on their flying bridge (observation deck). I felt a twinge of remorse starting the fire pump - our obscuring spray of salt water can't be that comfortable, but they were definitely hunting so back to work. Oh well.
Soon we were in a pod of whales, and the harpooner was manning his gun. The Kyo turned and turned, chasing one whale after another while the harpooner tried to ignore the spray shooting up vertically from our stern, frequently wiping water from his gun-sight and goggles. He didn't aim the harpoon at us, or even really seem concerned at all with our presence - instead only looking intently for the right shot.
Far too soon, he got it. Quite close to our boat. Although in the moment it is hard to know these things I would guess five meters from our starboard bow. A clean and solid hit, but it still took four shots from their rifle to finish off the whale.
Differences
When our morning boat crews returned, they had plainly been through a harrowing ordeal. Besides having a 65mm, 45kg, grenade tipped, explosive propelled harpoon pointed right at them, they had watched a whale suffer a long and agonizing death. No mater how strong a stomach you've got that's going to get to you.
By contrast, I mainly felt disappointment that the harpooner of the Kyo Maru fired so close to our boat. I really didn't think he'd do that - though to be honest, I didn't feel any real fear. We've had the misfortune of seeing his handiwork often enough to know he's a very good shot. Yet, despite his skill the animal suffered terribly for several minutes, I would say five, before they could finish it off.
Comments
A sickening scene! It would seem more inflatables are required to impair the aim of the harpooner, to blanket the area where a whale surfaces, each boat throwing up spray. I wonder if smoke-canisters could aid in providing occasional cover, when sea-spray is ineffective. Wouldn't it be nice to have a few WWII style PT boats, which were fast and highly maneuverable.
Posted by: Eric at January 7, 2006 10:25 PM
We must remember that the Japanese are behind on their quota and running out of time (and wasting money of course)... So they will be getting desperate... So they are going to shoot closer and closer to the boats... But I think it proves a point that you're getting in their way... I just pray that they never hit you!
And in regards to the whales dying... I thought that under IWC law the death had to be 'humane' and all that... Obviously this is not humane! When will the IWC wake up! And anyways the fact that they shoot the whale and use a grenade shows that the 'research' they are doing is stupid... Gun shots and grenades would destroy any viable data!
Keep up the work Greenpeace!
Posted by: Heidi at January 8, 2006 5:44 AM
You were on the news again! About the whale that the harpoon hit bit didn't stick too... It was an interesting article where the Japanese are blaming you guys for the whale suffering! The nerve of the Japanese! If they weren't out there hunting then the whales wouldn't suffer!
But hey people are taking notice cause no one likes a story about whales suffering!
Keep it up guys! Make sure you photograph and video everything possible!
Posted by: Heidi at January 8, 2006 6:12 AM
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