Thank you!

Hi Irene, Dave, and all...,
...and thank you for giving us the logistics of refueling. I must say, it's easier for me, I have learned to trust the judgement and intent of Greenpeace long ago, and trust their decisions implicitly. But you all must see how nearly impossible it is even to find the fleet once you are refueled. The SI still hasn't found them in all this time.

And thank you once again in your decision not to provide coordinates to the SI. You have to vision to see beyond your own safety, and to those on the Japanese vessels and on the SI. For those that continue to bash Greenpeace for not providing those coordinates, I've a letter to the crew of the Steve Irwin, and I hope this will help you as well.

Also I have been in direct communication with Sophie's father Martin, and I would like to share some of that correspondence with you.

Letter to the crew of the Steve Irwin:
You're always asking why the SS and GP can't work together, and I couldn't help but notice Captain Watson's statement on his website a couple of days ago...,

"...I’ve always been a great admirer of Japanese culture,” said Captain Watson. “I wrote a book called Earthforce that incorporated the strategies of 17th Century writer, poet, artist and sword master Miamoto Musashi. I’ve called upon Musashi’s Book of Five Rings in implementing strategy for this campaign. I think we speak the language that the Japanese understand. Japanese culture admires duty and the word samurai means to serve. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society serves the interests of our clients and our clients are the great whales whose lives we will defend to the death if need be.”

A quick look at Musashi's Book of Five Rings, seems to focus mostly on five ways to kill, or hurt someone really bad. Usually with a very sharp object, and with the stealth of a Samuri warrior. And that's what he has implemeted as his strategy for this campaign? And of course with as he always says, ...menacing fear that will keep them running, ...the same fear he injected into those he 'admires' so much, and very nearly cost the lives of two of his crew. His childish stinkbomb strategy... But that last statement says it all. "...the great whales whose lives we will defend to the death if need be.” So he tells us flat out, that he feels it's worth the lives of his crew to save a whale, ...die like a Samuri. Well, I don't feel that way, and I don't think any sane person feels that way. Do you think Jetske or Sara should die to save a whale? I think those crewmen and women on the Steve Irwin should live, create, and Love, ...and not be swept away by someone with visions of glory, ...a Samuri warrior indeed.

To the crew of the Steve Irwin, ...you can do far more on this earth for the whales alive than you ever will dead, ...and we need people that care as much as you obviously do. Show what you really feel when you see this suffering, and open your heart to the world. Don't let those who would perceive the efforts of your Love be tainted with violence and anger. You care so deeply, and have so much Love inside you, I just know you can move mountains. I believe in it, ...and I believe in you. I ask you to watch over your brothers and sisters and please don't let any harm come to them.

Letter from Sophie and her dad Martin:
Hi, Martin and Sophie here.

Thank you for your support on the Greenpeace website, Sophie and I
are genuinely humbled by everyones concern and support.

We will need help both spiritually and financially with this case. We
live 3 hours from the court and have no idea how much it will all
cost in the end. If the money support does not come through, we will
get by OK as these things always seem to even out in the end somehow.
We will apply for legal aid, so let's see.

Sophie has learned to meditate recently and it helped her a lot in
the cells. It keeps both of us calm inside when things get a bit
wobbly. Can you or maybe a few of your friends please come to the
court in a few weeks because we would really like it if we were not
alone on that day? We are not sure where you live. More than
anything, someone to organise people to come would be what we need most.

Thank you,

For the whales and the world,

M and S
Martin Wyness
marty1111@btinternet.com

Great thanks and all the best for you Irene and the Esperanza Crew.

Hi Folks
I have been thinking about all the comments made in anger regarding the way that the good people on the Esperanza have been conducting this campaign in the extreme environment of the southern ocean, and feel that I to have something to say.
Everyone is entitled to there own opinion and Greenpeace willingly provides this place for the venting in some cases of that.
It seems to me that there are a vast amount of people opposed to the whole whaling issue and there are certain people who are hell bent on shooting the messenger.
All I can suggest is that they use that emotion to get there own local/national government representatives to lobby the Perpetrators of this atrocity into stopping the whaling.
I personally have not been to the southern ocean but can guess that it is not an easy place to be.
This can be seen by the way the crew are dressed when they are out in the boats.
My hats off to you all and I wish that I to could be there helping in the fight to save the Whales from the tortures being inflicted upon them in the name of science.
This aside the whole idea of refueling at sea is a task that could be likened to driving across the Sahara chasing cattle at high speed with a petrol tanker trying to catch up to you.
The sight of the approaching tanker is frightening the cattle away faster.
If by luck the tanker does catch up with you, you have to slow down/stop to connect up the fuel line/s.
Then theres the job of transfering the fuel to your tanks, that could take more than a few hours.
Meanwhile the cattle just keep on running further and further away over the horizon and out of sight.
All the best to the crew and campaigners for the efforts made to stop whaling in a peaceful nonviolent way.
Kiwi Mike

Thank you for all you and the crew have done to protect the whales. Your efforts are truly inspirational! I enjoyed reading your daily blogs. I felt as if I were a part of the crew in the Southern Ocean. Cheers!

well, it was a great month. seems a shame though that with all the resources that the organization has that it has to end here. i know that the campaign will go on but sure would be nice if there was a another ship coming down to keep up the pressure. to the crew, thanx. Peace.

Perhaps Greenpeace should consider a nuclear powered vessel so that we can outlast the whalers.

Hello happy to have you home, you have been great out there.
l am a 8 year old girl who wants to work for green peace, l love every large and small animal most of all whales thankyou for helping them l love you guys.