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UPDATE December 11, 2009;
It is reported from Hobart, Tasmania that the anti-whaling activist vessel DVC "Ady Gil" has sailed once again. She received 'Clearance' from Australian Customs to proceed on passage to the Southern Ocean. It is also reported that shortly after a spotting aircraft circled the MS "Steve Irwin" a white vessel appeared and positioned herself eight nautical miles astern. This vessel fits a description of the MS "Shonan Maru" a hunter/tracking vessel of the Japanese whaling fleet. This year it would seem that instead of covert tracking the direct approach is being used by the Japanese. The MS "Steve Irwin" reverses course and turns off in different directions when being tracked which must suit the Japanese immensely. All this does is burn up fuel which is wasted by the anti-whaling vessel doing 'crazy ivan' manoeuvres and it will later limit her time in the Southern Ocean. After all this is done the MS "Shonan Maru" was still eight nautical miles astern.
We hope to have updates regularly from directly aboard the anti-whaling vessel again this year as our contact worked so effectively last whaling season.
Voyages start out with a concept, a vessel, and a passage plan. Sometimes it seems that while the concept and the passage plan are alright the vessel is in question. These days ill advised voyages seem to be popular in certain parts of the world. NAUTICAL LOG wrote about children setting off on their own to sail - well supposed sail anyway - around the world. Several of these seem to be from Australia and so it is just now a notice came across our desk of yet another shall we say - strange - adventure.
On December 08, 2009 from Hobart,Tasmania we have the vessel "Ady Gil" sailing for the Southern Ocean. This as many of you know is an area of horrific storms, bitter cold, mountainous seas and ice. Ice can slice an unsuitable vessel into pieces causing her to vanish without trace with all hands.
Have you seen this "Ady Gil" ? In case not we have reproduced it above. If one was to select the most unsuitable vessel for the voyage planned for her she would be it. Can you imagine living in this contraption for any length of time much less in Antarctica. We shall await this voyage with amazement and one must admit quite a bit of interest.
Good Watch.
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