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“Protestor action could be ‘piracy’

CANBERRA – 16 January – An incident involving whaling protestors is threatening Australia’s relationship with Japan and has thrown up some intriguing questions of maritime law. Two crew members, one British and one Australian, from the Netherlands-registered ship Steve Irwin have been detained on the Japanese whaling ship Yushin Maru No 2. The men, members of the environmentalist group Sea Shepherd, reportedly boarded the Japanese vessel in the Southern Ocean to hand over a “letter of intent”. However, questions of security have been raised – notably whether the incident counts as an “unauthorised boarding” or something more serious such as piracy or terrorism. The clash came about as anti-whaling protesters sought to prevent the annual Japanese whaling activities in the Southern Ocean which Japan insists is in the name of research. According to Australian media reports, the Japanese vessel sent an e-mail to the Steve Irwin to arrange the handover but had not received a response. The message reportedly demanded that the men’s release was conditional on Sea Shepherd not interfering with the whaling operation.”
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“Protestor action could be ‘piracy’

CANBERRA – 16 January – An incident involving whaling protestors is threatening Australia’s relationship with Japan and has thrown up some intriguing questions of maritime law. Two crew members, one British and one Australian, from the Netherlands-registered ship Steve Irwin have been detained on the Japanese whaling ship Yushin Maru No 2. The men, members of the environmentalist group Sea Shepherd, reportedly boarded the Japanese vessel in the Southern Ocean to hand over a “letter of intent”. However, questions of security have been raised – notably whether the incident counts as an “unauthorised boarding” or something more serious such as piracy or terrorism. The clash came about as anti-whaling protesters sought to prevent the annual Japanese whaling activities in the Southern Ocean which Japan insists is in the name of research. According to Australian media reports, the Japanese vessel sent an e-mail to the Steve Irwin to arrange the handover but had not received a response. The message reportedly demanded that the men’s release was conditional on Sea Shepherd not interfering with the whaling operation.”
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Debby, These two risked the lives of the crew of that vessel, not to mention their own lives. Can you gaurantee the safety of the transer of these two from the vessel? Do you remember that last year one of the protest boats got lost down there?

It’s not like these two are being kept from going home. They have to be on a ship for a while no matter what, so I don’t get your point.

Days? These guys are likely to be detained for a month or two. You underestimate how pissed off these protesters have gotten the Japanese.

(For the record, I am against the whaling. However, this is the wrong way to protest it.)

Debby, These two risked the lives of the crew of that vessel, not to mention their own lives. Can you gaurantee the safety of the transer of these two from the vessel? Do you remember that last year one of the protest boats got lost down there?

It’s not like these two are being kept from going home. They have to be on a ship for a while no matter what, so I don’t get your point.

Days? These guys are likely to be detained for a month or two. You underestimate how pissed off these protesters have gotten the Japanese.

(For the record, I am against the whaling. However, this is the wrong way to protest it.)