In January 2015, the controversial whale warriors Sea Shepherd Conservation Society won 8.3 million euro from the Postcode Lotteries in the Netherlands and UK to put towards the construction of a new custom-built patrol ship to battle Japanese whalers in the Southern Ocean.

To build their dream ship, Sea Shepherd turned to Dutch shipbuilder Damen Group for a modified version of the Fast Crew Supplier. Just 18 months later, Sea Shepherd commissioned the Ocean Warrior, the fastest, most high-tech, efficient and capable vessel to ever join the fleet. 

In September, the Ocean Warrior, rumored to cost $12 million, departed Antalya, Turkey on its maiden voyage to Australia, via Amsterdam and Italy, to participate in Sea Shepherds 11th Antarctic whale defense campaign in the South Ocean beginning this December. 

Here’s a closer look at the vessel: