In a Press Release dated Sunday, May 16, 2010 the Sea Shepherds say they have arrived at anchor off Cannes, France. The passage across the Atlantic from New York some 3958 nautical miles took them from May 01, to May 16, or about 15 days so the MS Steve Irwin is certainly showing her age and lumbering along at 11 knots.
Now that she is in European waters and off Cannes her Port State is France. If not already underway the Gendarme Maritime should give this vessel a complete Port State Inspection as required by International Maritime laws. All her Maritime Certificates and those of her crew, if they have any, should be examined and verified before this vessel is allowed to proceed from her anchorage. It is one thing to allow her a trans-Atlantic passage quite another to have this vessel prowling loose in the relatively confined waters of the Mediterranean. The density of traffic both trans-Med from North Africa plus that going and coming up from the Suez Canal is of concern to seafarers. This vessel has a history of not following the 'Rules of the Road' and coming alongside other vessels in combative close quarters situations. All it needs is for her to get involved with say a LNG/LPG tanker and at night, to have a massive tragedy. In addition the MS Steve Irwin does not display on AIS which means the OOW's of other vessels will not have a full plot of her at all times. She is also painted black and who knows if she displays correct navigation lights.
After voyaging some 12,000 nautical miles from Tasmania it seems that the Sea Shepherds do not have a strategy worked out yet. The Press Release states
"The Sea Shepherd ship MS Steve Irwin is presently at Cannes in France awaiting orders to depart to engage poachers. Meanwhile, Sea Shepherd field agents are investigating and building up a case for intervention".
This is incredible nonsense just whom do these people think they are, their unbelievable arrogance is beyond the Pale but unfortunately in the Mediterranean. It is time that the elected Governments of the Mediterranean Sea nations shut these people down and stop this nonsense now before it even starts.
Good Watch.
Now that she is in European waters and off Cannes her Port State is France. If not already underway the Gendarme Maritime should give this vessel a complete Port State Inspection as required by International Maritime laws. All her Maritime Certificates and those of her crew, if they have any, should be examined and verified before this vessel is allowed to proceed from her anchorage. It is one thing to allow her a trans-Atlantic passage quite another to have this vessel prowling loose in the relatively confined waters of the Mediterranean. The density of traffic both trans-Med from North Africa plus that going and coming up from the Suez Canal is of concern to seafarers. This vessel has a history of not following the 'Rules of the Road' and coming alongside other vessels in combative close quarters situations. All it needs is for her to get involved with say a LNG/LPG tanker and at night, to have a massive tragedy. In addition the MS Steve Irwin does not display on AIS which means the OOW's of other vessels will not have a full plot of her at all times. She is also painted black and who knows if she displays correct navigation lights.
After voyaging some 12,000 nautical miles from Tasmania it seems that the Sea Shepherds do not have a strategy worked out yet. The Press Release states
"The Sea Shepherd ship MS Steve Irwin is presently at Cannes in France awaiting orders to depart to engage poachers. Meanwhile, Sea Shepherd field agents are investigating and building up a case for intervention".
This is incredible nonsense just whom do these people think they are, their unbelievable arrogance is beyond the Pale but unfortunately in the Mediterranean. It is time that the elected Governments of the Mediterranean Sea nations shut these people down and stop this nonsense now before it even starts.
Good Watch.
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