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FUN AND GAMES SOUTHERN STYLE

More drama from both the Japanese Whaling Fleet (JWF) and the SSCS seagoing Cult.  A dramatic Press Release complete with video (see our Video Bar) from the SSCS Chief Windbag actually confirmed by the JWF on their website describes a "night attack" (the SSCS term) by the JWF security vessels MS Yushin Maru #2 and MS Yushin Maru #3 on the SSCS MS Bob Barker.

Telephoto lense picture of MS Nisshin Maru, this is as close as the MS Bob Barker ever got!!

The MS Bob Barker had found the factory ship MS Nisshin Maru on its return from Wellington, NZ and to prevent her being harassed the two JWF vessels moved in on the MS Bob Barker in a defensive security operation.  Always fraught with danger when three vessels manoeuvre at speed on the High Seas it was clear the two Japanese knew exactly what to do and did it well.  They applied the SSCS seagoing Cult tactics against them by deploying towed buoyed lines and illuminating the Bridge of the MS Bob Barker with their powerful searchlights.  In the video taken on that Bridge a scared Captain Peter Hammarstedt could be seen wearing a red hard hat fitted with a miners light - what that rig was for is any one's guess.  It is clear that he has learned only too well from "Wats-his-name" madness and disregard for crewmembers.  During that entire incident he had crew stationed on the foc's'le as the JWF vessels crossed close and fast ahead to force him the shear off, which he did by turning to Port.  In the event of a collision he would thus be held to blame under the Rules of the Nautical Road and would more than likely had those forward crewmembers killed.  Also the MS Bob Barker used lasers to counter the JWF vessels which are now forbidden for civilians to use and fired some 40 flares.

MS Yushin Maru #2 overtaking the MS Bob Barker and then turning to port (left)

The better way would have been to clear all persons from forward of the Bridge and as the JWF vessel overtook him and turned to its Port, slowed or even stopped and then turned to his Starboard around the stern of the JWF vessel.  If an impact had occurred then it would appear that the MS Bob Barker was turning to Starboard as per the Rules to avoid a vessel which had approached too closely.  NAUTICAL LOG cannot explain why the red hard hat with a miners light was worn on the Bridge by this totally inexperienced young Captain but then one does have to make allowance for these persons being part of the SSCS seagoing Cult.


In spite of patently false claims by the SSCS this JWF manoeuvre was highly effective in chasing off the badly rattled crew of the MS Bob Barker allowing the MS Nisshin Maru some sea room as JWF had planned.  As usual Chief Windbag "Wats-his-name" writes his Press Release from second hand or third hand information as he is hundreds of nautical miles away going to refuel the MS Steve Irwin in the Land of Oz which one wishes would refuse to refuel or resupply them - too much to hope for!!


Tragically the situation is ripe for disaster as this young inexperienced Captain in MS Bob Barker tries to establish a reputation like his mentor "Wats-his-name" but not having the mental toughness or ship handling skills will no doubt misjudge in an action losing the vessel and crew.


Good Watch

Remaining off the coast of Puntland, Somalia are some 300 of our fellow seafarers held hostage by pirates.  They face mutilation or death everyday with no hope of rescue and freedom in sight. 

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