Bravo.....:)well done to all concerned

Hi Irene and Sara,

It's funny to see how you try to sound like a serious news reportage in those videos. Maybe you should end it this way :
"Sara Holden for Greenpeace News".

By the way, Greenpeace might want to explain us how they had an old small tanker refuelling them in the Antarctic waters in 2005. The story of the refuelling at sea is available here.

It seems the Oranjemund was not made to travel in those waters and the operation was quite risky.

As for Sara's mention of an "inexisting market" for whale meat in Japan, I suggest she goes to Japan by herself and check better. To say that "there isn't any market for whale meat in Japan" is a blatant lie.

If you dare visit places where there's a tradition of whaling like Wada in Chiba prefecture, Taiji in Wakayama prefecture or Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture, you'll find many restaurants serving whale cuisine.

Anyway, after announcing you had blocked the Nisshin-maru from refuelling, now you admit that you just delayed the operation. I wonder how much credibility you have in this story now.

Besides, the videos on the ICR's website show that the entanglement of your inflatable was actually dangerous. Moreover, the captain of the Nisshin-maru had warned you.

I know that I've said it already, but watching this (well produced) video reinforced how dedicated, brave and skillful Jetske and Heath were during this action. Keep up the great work guys.

G'day Isantori,

You're an incredible resource for pro-whaling information, but you still haven't come back with the wastage & spoilage rate and the percentage of non-human consumption for the whale meat stockpile.

Why don't you prove that you are no more than a selective propagandist for a pleasant change?

G'day Isantori,

You're an incredible resource for pro-whaling information, but you still haven't come back with the wastage & spoilage rate and the percentage of non-human consumption for the whale meat stockpile.

Something other than your selective propaganda would be a pleasant change?

isantori did you miss this bit when you read the article..."Prior to accepting this extraordinary charter, Unicorn officials and the ship’s officers conducted a thorough risk assessment analysis. All likely hazards involved in such an undertaking were identified and counter measures and contingency plans were debated and put in place."

Dear activists,

Thanks a lot for your work, and the well edited update.

And it is very much appreciated that you let us comment, interesting to follow the different views.

Take care.
Kun, Belgium

Isantori wrote: "Besides, the videos on the ICR's website show that the entanglement of your inflatable was actually dangerous. Moreover, the captain of the Nisshin-maru had warned you."

It was dangerous, yes. But the two captains were the ones who made it so. They were responsible for the movements of their ships. It doesn't matter who were between the two ships, they (both captains) had to stop moving the ships to each other. If someone was injured or even worse, the two captains were to blame.

Thanks for the great video! Keep on doing your great works!

Congragulations on your commercial for Greenpeace - worthy of an Oscar."Rest assured Greenpeace is right here, ready to take action!" Well!!

isanatori,
The refuelling of the greenpeace ship in 2005 was done outside the Antarctic Treaty zone which is south of 60 degrees.

@Sara... well done.. another good report from Greenpeace.

Good on ye, Jetske & Heath.
Also thanks for the excellent video & accompanied reporting by Sarah. The point was made, the resuppling of fuel and transfer of whalemeat to the OB. is illegal, besides the whaling itself. Hope the Ozzies and hopefully other nations will push the issue harder. Keep up the pressure & eventually the whaling will end. All the best to all on board the Espy.
Cheering you all on from Waiheke Island

Great video guys. It just goes to prove that as well as having no respect for whale lives the Japanese crews also have no respect for human life either! Keep up your great work. Whale meat in Japan is not a necessity, i don't think the Japanese people would starve without it!! I back you Greenpeace crew all the way and i am greateful to you for all you do and love the weblog and the chance to speak to you all. Keep safe and know YOU are saving many lives. Respect.

Hi Irene, what is happening with the re-fuelling of the Esperanza? If you have done it before can it be done again? As you have read there are many donors willing to assist financially. Can you please let us know what the word from GP headquarters is?

I couldn't agree with you more petedown, amazing narrative and video. I don't think it gets said any better than that, ...spreading your sunshine all over this world. We'd better be careful though, or the BBC will take all our best gals away from us.
How about we all take a collection up for Isanitori, to buy her a ticket on the Esperanza. I'm betting the Love and compassion in the eyes of our heroes will be something that cannot be denied. Whaddayasay Isanatori? I'm serious, ...the adventure of a lifetime, ...something instead of nothing.

Isanatori - Sara used to be a TV news journalist for Reuters, hence her remarkable on-camera skills.

Also, if you'd bothered reading the article about from 2005/2006 about refuelling, you'd know that the tanker didn't go south of 60 degrees, therefore we didn't contravene the Antarctic treaty.

Check your facts, man!

I like to say to isanatori that the market for whale meat is very small in Japan. My experience is that only older and "traditional" people eat it. My judgement/experience (I lived in Ibaraki, next to Chiba)would be that the majority of people under 50 think it is an odd thing to do, and people under 25 think it is plain stupid. My Japanese language teacher grimaced and shook her head this weekend when I asked if she ate whale meet.
As a matter of interest we are running a survey of the pupils and staff in our Japanese Language school. We hope to extend this to friends and contacts of the school in Japan.

On a more positive note... thanks for leading me to the UNIQLOCK... I enjoy having that!

Hi Dave,

Thank you for replying to me. :)
Well, I read the article about the Oranjemund. Nothing in it says where exactly the refuelling took place. It is however written "the assignment took the Durban-built ship through the ‘roaring forties’ and ‘screaming fifties’ to sixty degrees south".

I never said the tanker did go south of 60 degrees", but I believe this was a dangerous operation, eventhough all likely risks had been considered by the company. For being where you are, you know there are always problems that cannot be forseen when at sea.

Another thing, you didn't say anything about the "inexistent market for whale meat in Japan". I continue to believe you're making this just for propaganda just as selectively quoting articles from the Japanese newspapers.

I've been living in Sapporo, Gifu and Tokyo and have travelled to many places in this country and know that first, some Japanese people, including young ones eat whale meat (even in Tokyo) and second, that most of this consumption is based in places related to whaling as those I mentioned previously.

REPLY:

The Esperanza refuelled at 57º43 S, 74 º02 E on the 3d of Jan 2006, in suitable weather by an experienced crew. The whaling fleet refueled at 60 º26 S, 77 º56 E on the 2nd of Jan 2006. /Iréne

I love your videos, they are very professional. What Greenpeace is doing is serious! and the reporting should show that.
Well done for getting out there and doing something! We are with you all the way.
Keep recording these videos, they are vital for everyone to see what is going on out there. To all of the team - please take care.

To all the very brave and dedicated people out there protecting the whales I say THANKYOU.
I am with you in spirit and sending you blessings every day.
Dianne

You are all so brave...keep up the good work, hopefully they will get tired and go back to Japan, without you guys there would be no Whales left.
Thank you to all.

Great job keep up the good work.

Cheers from down under.

Graham

To all of the wonderfully brave activists Thank You, Thank You and Thank You. I watched the footage of the boats chasing and circling you and am in awe of your skill, courage & committment. All of those that criticise have to be making a buck from the whales. Shame on them. Bless you activists one and all.

Thank you, you are doing what many of us would like to and are unable.

You are making history and are a major part of protecting a part of our fragile planet and one of its most beautiful and valuable creatures.
Well done and take care.

To stop for good the refueling it would better to envolved the Esperanza herself!
Send zodiacs seem a non effecient action.

Bless each and every one of you brave and dedicated people. No-one has a right to kill whales and we are supposed to be civilised enough that this should be universally understood.
You are all in my heart and thoughts and prayers, you Rainbow Warriors, and may the Mother keep you safe from all hurt and harm.
Blessed be.

I wonder what the Oceanic Viking boats (orange, small ones) were doing out. Does anyone know??

REPLY:
They were just observing /Iréne

Isanatori,
I have seen a documentary showing whale meat stockpiles spoiling because the supply was far greater than the demand. Because a few ignorant people still choose to sell and purchase whale meat is no reason to carry on the senseless slaughtering of these amazing animals. Thank you Greenpeace.

Feom us in oz,thankyou for your bravery and dedication in helping the Whales. So many people whinge about things,saying they shouldn't happen,but they do nothing about it. As a registered supporter of Greenpeace, I have no doubts that my money is being used in the best possible way.God help you in the battle to save those beautiful,defenceless creatures,and others too.
Best of all the luck,Trish& co;

actually isanatori, its not true that eating whale meat is a popular local tradition in the whaling areas of japan. i travel to taiji ( a traditional whaling area) regularly as i have family there and the common consensus seems to be that it is reserved for the tourists. most taiji residents are afraid of eating it due to the high level of mercury found in the whale and dolphin meat. As im sure you know, not long ago two taiji councilmen spoke out regarding the danger of eating whale meat and in particular feeding it to unsuspecting children.

you are lucky in that you speak english and therefore have access to foreign media to inform you of a different perspective. most japanese still dont know about the health dangers of cetacean consumption although funnily enough those involved in the industry do. However, almost without exception, japanese agree it tastes pretty nasty.

Several years ago some friends took violently ill after eating snapper at a local restaurant and were diagnosed as having Ciguatera toxin poisoning. Pretty horrid experience with vomiting, tingling nerves and altered sensations. Although a neurotoxin to humans, the literature suggests that most marine mammals can take these toxins without harm. If Greenpeace can inject a few whales with the stuff in the vicinity where they are being killed and let it be known to the press, there should be no further interest in eating whale meat.