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FALL OUT


WOW Look out Japanese whalers

Sea Shepherdess Michelle Rodriguez
UPDATE: Relax Japan no Sea Shepherdess after all!! MR has dropped out on plans to join the SSPG for the 2010-2011 is anyone really surprised by this news in early November 2010.
The NAUTICAL LOG Press Release folder brought news of open disagreement between members of the Sea Shepherds. Usually 'Wats-his-name' claims that they are one big happy family dedicated to saving whales or whatever is the current object of their affection. In fact a great deal is known about the real situations and conflicts aboard their vessels. In the years before and continuing since the "Whale Wars" film crew were on board, each season as had at least one crew member who in reality is a maritime intelligence operative. Of course 'Wats-his-name' denies this completely and claims crew members are vetted and it would be impossible to place such a person on board. In fact nothing is easier with such an organization because they are dazzled by an apparently loyal, hard-working, willing crew member at no cost to them. For any intelligence organization creating a 'legend' and placing an operative in such organizations is done on a regular basis. One such operative has been in place for several years and 'Wats-his-name' would be astonished, NAUTICAL LOG believes, if that person was ever revealed. Usually there is a second seasonal operative also in place and they most certainly do not know about each other. The exception was the DVV Ady Gil as Bethune is as 'Wats-his-name' described him a 'cowboy' and it was thought that he would end up destroying himself - which worked out as estimated.

So it was that while the general public may have been surprised those in the know have been expecting an outburst from Peter Bethune of the DVV Ady Gil since his vessel sank during that unmitigated disaster of last seasons operation in the Southern Ocean. On his return from Japan Bethune has had several such outbursts which rant against the NZ Prime Minister, Sea Shepherds and life in general. A few years in a Japanese prison might actually have helped him curb a permanently angry personality prone to violent behaviour. We have seen this in the videos of "Whale Wars" and the rude discourteous behaviour of the New Zealand crew from Ady Gil towards the Master and crew of the MS Bob Barker, which Bethune seemed to think this was a huge joke, in spite of having been rescued by them. Later they transferred to the MS Steve Irwin and by the time that vessel arrived in Australia half the crew had announced their departure from the vessel. One operatives report stated that during the passage the atmosphere was extremely tense.

For whatever reason 'Wats-his-name' allowed Bethune to return with him in MS Steve Irwin and we know what happened from "Whale Wars", the resulting arrest and trial of Bethune in Japan. Both the Sea Shepherd Press Release and todays coverage in OLD SALT BLOG lay out the 'he said, he said whatever' and NAUTICAL LOG will not repeat it all here again. One suspects the real reason is money, due to the violent nature of the action the DVV Ady Gil was involved in no Marine Insurance claim is viable. No doubt Bethune's legal people have suggested his public separation from the Sea Shepherds thus preparing the way to sue them for compensation for the vessel loss.

Regardless of the true circumstances of the vessel sinking it was in fact an act of good seamanship. The vessel was a derelict as a result of the collision and after efforts to limit pollution effects the vessel sank. Efforts to tow it - where? - were clearly unsuccessful due to the nature of that damage.

So one moves on to the next stage in the Sea Shepherd saga and one admits that 'Wats-his-name' who looked really a very sick person in "Whale Wars" last season seems to be rejuvenated. His latest Hollywood addition is Michelle Rodriguez who was in Avatar and Machete, and lets be honest she would rejuvenate anyone. Ms. Rodriguez whom NAUTICAL LOG remembers from filming 'Lost' in Hawai'i had her run-ins with the HPD for partying a little too much even by the very liberal Oahu, Hawai'i standards. She wants to be a crew member in Operation No Compromise 2010-2011, one wonders if she will last longer than that other Hollywood addition Daryl Hannah who joined in Brisbane and lasted on board only a week. After his training with trying to control Bethune maybe 'Wats-his-name' will try to manage this Latina spitfire - good luck mate!!
Complete transcripts can be read at www.seashepherds.org/

Good Watch

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