This is all very exciting. Why am I unable to see any of it on the webcam?

Thank you for keeping us all posted, Irene. Please send my loving support to all those involved.

I got a webcam grab of Viking streaming in, posted it in the Flickr Esperanza webcam group.
Figures the japanese would all of a sudden ease up, pull back, turn off the hoses, look proper... this is at the heart of their character thru and thru, their PHONINESS and deceitfulness, the whole lot of them.

Link to the Flickr Esperanza webcam group.. Eric??..

Thanks for keeping us in touch with whats going on Irene its greatfully appreciated ..ive been watching the webcam and im sitting in the Greenpeace toolbar chatroom if anyone want to chat about whats going on as it happens.....and about bloody time the Aussie Customs/Fisheries ship showed up .. makes me wonder why i pay my taxes for such a lame duck that wont even uphold the very laws of our land.........

It does seem as though the Australian Government's Oceanic Viking appeared at precisely the right moment, just as Greenpeace engaged with the Japanese ships refuelling.

I may be wrong, but perhaps the Oceanic Viking has been following from a distance (off the radar of GP, but who knows what high tech tracking system an Aust. Customs vessel would have), waiting for some kind of interaction/action between GP and the whaling fleet, in order to monitor the situation? Or they just happened to arrive at that moment! Who knows, but just an idea...

sincere congratulations for what has been tried to delay the refueling of the NM. Now I do hope that customs officers onboard the Oceanic Viking will take due note that a refueling takes place south of the 60th and that the Oriental Bluebird was NOT declared as going to that area.
Next time there is a refueling: why not to put the Esperanza between the OB and the whaler-vessel coming for taking fuel ?

Everyone well done!! Keep safe my thoughts are with you all.

Are the australian customs responsible for the zone?
And is the refueling prohibited south of the 60th because of the whale sanctuary?

Bravo and Thanks for all what you're doing

ps. the wing cam is down.

Are the australian customs responsible for the zone?
And is the refueling prohibited south of the 60th because of the whale sanctuary?

Bravo and Thanks for all what you're doing

ps. the wing cam is down.

Don't forget the key to the Australian Navy's electronic surveillance is the fleet of diesel electric submarines. I wouldn't be surprised if one was sitting about 50 metres below this traffic jam keeping an eye on things and practising some sonar locating.

Oh but Japan has some subs too... interesting

Quite a risky business. If all goes well...very cool, but we all know that both the ocean and humans are very unpredictable and can be very dangerous. Of course, I'd consider it much safer to get into a scuffle with the ocean. If myopic, self centered, greedy governments and businesses don't give a damn about the fact that they're going to drive us (and a lot of other species) to extinction, how much will they value the lives of a few humans bobbing around the ocean? At least it's actually worth risking life and limb over...unlike other situations involving rather abstract (and relatively fleeting) notions. Wish I was there. Since I'm not, however, I offer the folks doing the work that shouldn't need doing and those folks who are putting themselves in harm's way my most sincere thanks and admiration. It's a shame that world governments and businesses are throwing everything away over things that only exist in the bat of a cosmic eyelash. End of rambling sentiment.

Steve, link to that Oceanic Viking webcam pic in the Flickr group is:
http://flickr.com/photos/72387662@N00/2211797430/in/pool-esperanza
see you in the toolbar chat room sometime :)

Remeber, ddiesel/electric subs have to come up (or at least snorkel) to recharge...
Beside the ships have sonar too!

I guess the Oceanic Viking is using Customs Coastwatch aircraft to keep tabs on the fleet. They don't have to over-fly the fleet.. just ping them with radar from 200 miles out!

Hi all,

The Oceanic Viking sure is a Beauty!! Love the pic of her, she is impressive. Nearly as impressive as Esperanza.

I am sitting here in Johannesburg, but as I read your messages, I actually get goose-bumps. Very exciting!!

Thanks for all your efforts, you are in my heart and thoughts all the time.

Blessings

Joey (EarthSpirit)
Johannesburg South Africa

Well done everyone.. You clearly are having a big impact.
I'm really relieved and glad to hear the Ozzies have finally arrived - good news.
Thanks so much for keeping us up to date and keeping the whales safe.
Best of luck to all for the coming hours and days.
Take care
x
Jenni

the Greenpeace ship is doing a good job so far keep the work up :)

just like to know how long can Greenpeace ship stay out there till it needs to refuel
if it needs to return for more fuel i just thinking the Japanese will then start whaling :(

refuel

Maybe the Esperanza (and the Steve Irwin) needs a marine band direction finder...
Easier to locate the fleet next time.. and there probably will be a next time.

Available here: http://www.becker-avionics.com/pages/sc_sar.htm

It should easily work outside the radar range.

Hi all...,
...and sorry, ...I don't mean to post in most every day like this, and you've likely considered this, but is there any chance you could strike a deal with the new Australian government, and especially Peter Garrett to consider refueling you at sea, ...possibly putting on additional fuel storage tanks? Surely they must have that capability, and I'm sure they'd like to see you and the whales come out the winners in this. Is this politically, economically or logistically unfeasible? I'd be willing to give a special donation to help pay for it, ...anyone else? Or do any of you bright and resourceful souls out there have any idea how we might get the Esperanza refueled (please spare me the working together doo-doo with the Steve Irwin)?
Fantastic and riveting videos and media attention you are bringing to this world, ...and just what is needed.

p.s. no one needs to tell you what you are doing is not only quite heroic, but very dangerous. I'm sure you have your contingency plans if there is an accident or one of the inflatables flips over. Please try to sharpen your awareness skills and reaction times, ...just in case. I do wish you had your 'Tweety' with you.

Well done everyone for all the fantastic work you have been doing. Keep the pressure on!

Hi all!

Guys your doing brilliantly! You may have only stopped them re-fuelling for a short while but at least you tried and a short while is better than nothing. Also, it again brought media attention to whats going on which is what is needed.

I know your all really really busy but if you get the time could you answer me a few questions please? I would really appreciate it.

1. are the ideas, that have been put forward about refueling at sea, able to be considered? If so i am willing to contribute to the cost and can also get some contributions from work collegues and friends for you.

2. does anyone know why the humpbacks have stopped transmitting?

3. I know the powers that be said they were not going to hunt any humpbacks (i personally dont believe anything they say anyway) but...is it possible they may have been caught and thats why they have stopped transmitting? If you cannot comment on this question (for obvious reasons) i will understand.

4. Do you think the Japanese fleet will be able to keep up a pretence in front of the Viking indefinately, especially when they start whaling again after you have left? (if you cant get re-fuelled)

I sincerely hope you are all well, getting hosed with icy water cant possibly be good for you. Try to keep your spirits up, your doing a fine job down there!

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=ai1vT9UnY0ZY&refer=japan

Everyone who thinks Greenpeace had nothing to do to stop the whaling please read the following article where they are given credit for doing just THAT stopping the whaling.

The Black Pearl Irwin Pirate ship is coming. Make way. aarrrrr. Paul Watson is the man.

I am a financial supporter of this campaign and would like tp know why you r not cooperating with seashepherd and is paul waqtson realy one of the founders of green peace you could just pull in front of the nishon mru and slow it down till they get their please fix the wing cam it goes offline far to often

The Collins class Diesel electrics have an endurance of 70 days, most of which can be spent under water. Silent running, the japanese, Greenpeace and SeaShepherd will not be able to hear it. Also pods of whales will actually provide cover from magnetic anomaly detectors, such as that located on the RNZAF P3k Orion Aircraft. To refuel the Esperenza, Charter another vessel or use the Arctic Sunrise. SeaShepherd uses non violent direct action so there is no reason Greenpeace cannot work with them, and at this stage I would suggest they already have been to some extent.

or is there another greenpeace ship that can take over as the Esperanza returns back to refuel?

lets all meet up get a big ship and go and back up the Esperanza and then i would go diving and drill loads of big holes in to the factory ships :) :)

yes i agree with the post from Grateful Child,
and think it is a good idea :)

Maximum time spent with the japanese means more whales saved. If Esperanza won't arrange for refueling at sea, how about using up fuel allotted for return journey to NZ and just stick with the japanese fleet, and arrange for tow back? Granted, towing is problematic in rough seas.

I am sitting here in my office in Suva, Fiji amd reading about all the hard work you all are doing to stop whaling. My heart and best wishes goes out to all the crew members and those that support you. here in Fiji you will be surprised to now the many support you have. Keep on going.

edward

The ICR has stated that close observation of their 'research' practices, i.e. harpooning and killing cetaceans, by Greenpeace constitutes "harrassment." Will they direct that statement now towards the Australian ship Oceanic Viking, there on official government monitoring of said killing?

"Will they direct that statement now towards the Australian ship Oceanic Viking, there on official government monitoring of said killing?"..I doubt that Very Much Eric... mainly because they know they have the Aussie government by the balls financially Rudd wont take the Japanese full on.. hes almost as big a bag of wind as little Johnny was...not quite as bad but not far off..Hes a conservative Labor PM... but theres lots of ways to embarrass him and his party into taking a stronger stance

At least Aussie overflew the region.

"The Airbus A319, fitted with surveillance and imaging equipment, is being used by the Rudd Government, with the Customs patrol ship Oceanic Viking, to gather evidence for potential international legal action against the whaling.

The aircraft performed well on a six-hour low-level search out of Hobart on Sunday, locating two foreign fishing vessels in Antarctic seas, a spokeswoman for the Home Affairs Minister, Bob Debus, said yesterday."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/whale-watch/spy-v-spy-as-airbus-joins-the-fight-against-whaling/2008/01/21/1200764171935.html

Australian legal action seems to be pressing ahead.

"The Federal Court order, obtained last week by the Australian office of the Humane Society International, found the company had breached nine sections of Australia's environmental laws by killing whales in the Australian Whale Sanctuary in Antarctic waters.
The injunction was delivered yesterday to the company's Tokyo office by Humane Society director Nicola Beynon and a Japanese interpreter."
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/whalers-refuse-to-accept-injunction/1168342.html

Well done. You are doing a fantastic job.I am so glad the Oceanic Viking turned up. This battle will be won.

The issue is receiving favourable press coverage.

"the Australian government has formally denounced the Japanese program, dispatching a customs patrol ship and aircraft to monitor the whaling fleet and collect evidence against the whalers."
http://www.cordweekly.com/cordweekly/myweb.php?hls=10034&news_id=1383

Awesome work, loved the end of the clip when the Oceanic Viking appeared. At least you know you're not alone on this issue and we can trust that at least some of our tax dollars are doing work we want done. Good luck!

Welcome to the Steve Irwin and well done to u all,to risk your life for one of our fello creatures is a gutsy effort. How do we get our PM to back us up. The high court ruled that whaling was banned in Arctic waters so why are the Japanese difying these orders. Maybe our navy could help escourt them out of these waters. Anyhow good luck and u have more support than u know.

The kiwis are taking an interest!

"The Air Force has spotted the Japanese whaling fleet travelling towards the Ross Sea - an area of New Zealand's search and rescue responsibility.
An Orion patrol aircraft has taken photographs of the whalers.
The Government says the extremely cold and hazardous conditions of the Antarctic make it one of the most dangerous and difficult regions for search and rescue.
It says New Zealand is strongly opposed to Japan's whaling in the Southern Ocean."
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200801242206/japanese_whaling_fleet_heading_towards_ross_sea

photos from the Nisshin Maru and Oriental Blue Bird / as Greenpeace come alongside the ships

http://www.icrwhale.org/gpandsea-img.htm