The first change of plans
Posted by captain Frank onboard the Esperanza
We're getting ready.
©Greenpeace/Jiri Rezac
The plan now was to surprise the six Japanese whaling ships with our presence here just off the Japanese coast the moment they would stick their faces out of Shimonoseki, the harbour from which they are leaving to go to Antarctica and kill over a 1000 whales.
Now it looks as if we will have to wait some more, since the fleet delayed its departure to avoid political embarrassment.
We were spotted already a few days ago by a big Japanese navy ship. I still think it was sheer coincidence that they spotted us but that doesn't change the fact that they did see us.
Four days ago I was woken up by the sound of a helicopter. Normally spoken I am on the bridge when our helicopter is in the air, and we very rarely fly our helicopter at 0500 in the morning. Up to the bridge and there I saw that we had two helicopters flying around the ship and there was also a navy vessel on the horizon. It became pretty clear that our position was known by the Japanese government.
So here we are, just outside Japanese territorial waters, waiting for the fleet to come out and then we will tail them on their way down to Antarctica to tell the world what they are up to.
We've been around already for about two weeks to intercept the fleet. The earliest they have ever left is the 2nd of November. So what else could we do than being ready for the 2nd, and wait.
It is not that we just sit and wait and play cards all day long. As an actual fact we are pleased that they are late. We had the chance to sort out a lot of small and big logistical and technical problems. I think we can say that we are ready. We are still not really sure when they will come out but we are here and waiting for them.
Maybe they will come out with the coast guard. Maybe they will try to sneak out under the cover of darkness. Whatever they do we will make sure that the world knows what is happening, and not only that: We will also make sure that their catch is very disappointing.
More later.
Regards
Frank
Comments
good luck to you all, i hope your mission is succesfull, greetings filip from belgium
Posted by: filip | November 18, 2007 5:37 PM
good luck guys, once more you have this difficult job to do, take care and come home safely.
john
Posted by: johnr | November 20, 2007 12:36 AM
You are amazing and I wish you success! Thanks for keeping a blog. I will be back to read it regularly.
Posted by: querkle | November 20, 2007 4:14 AM
I wish I could be there with you on your journey to 'Save The Whales'. But, I am there in spirit watching and wishing you all the best, for the sake of these Great Whales!
Posted by: Amanda | November 23, 2007 1:17 AM
You guys and girls are absolute legends. I hope their catch this year will be 0. Why can't the loophole which allows this barbaric behaviour be stopped seeing the IWC themselves say that what the Japanese are doing is unnecessary? Go home you murderers and leave those beautiful and gentle creatures alone!
Posted by: Janet Wickens | November 23, 2007 9:28 AM
wish u all best of luck..i wish im on the ship with u guys..take care and dont forget to update ur blog..cant wait for it!
Posted by: natasha | November 23, 2007 10:17 AM