Whale Wars - Animal Planet HD on Friday nights. Anyone here watching this show? It's in the vein of 'Deadliest Catch', 'Ice Road Truckers', etc. It follows this crew of people (who call themselves 'The Sea Sheapards') led by the founder of Greenpeace, who on board a ship (The Steve Irwin) try to stop Japanese Whaling in the South Austrailian/Antartic Seas.

I've watched about 3 episodes. These guys are completely nuts, and they are wrecklessly dangerous! But no matter what side of this issue you may come down on, it's a very intertaining show, and there are some great HD moments in the Antartic. I will be completely surprised if no one ends up dead or seriously injured by the end of the shows season.

Saw one episode last week and it looks interesting. I have it set up on the DVR now.

A bunch of terrorist hippies, and whale meat tastes good. :D


I feel sorry for the crew, the captain is d-bag, and doesn't seem to care for there safety.

I was going to watch the show but with it being on Animal Planet I just assumed it would just be upconverted SD or some other non HD crap they try to pass off.

How does it look?

I was going to watch the show but with it being on Animal Planet I just assumed it would just be upconverted SD or some other non HD crap they try to pass off.

How does it look?

It looks good, it is HD like most of Discovery Communications new shows.

It looks good, it is HD like most of Discovery Communications new shows.


thanks, I'll give it shot.

This show is strangely captivating to me. It's a strange twist because it is even-handed enough so that it isn't clear who you should be rooting for- certainly not the "evil" Jpn fishers, but then the eco-terrorist hippies don't really gain any sympathy the way they manipulate and exploit a pr scenario as it suits them. The only clear entity is the whales, who you wish to escape any harm out of all of this commotion.

To make things entertaining, you got this crew of essentially sea-newbies that really shouldn't be anywhere near a ship, let alone combing the nasty seas that makes Deadliest Catch such a thriller. You see them get themselves into all of these perilous situations, not because they are pushing any sort of envelope, but because they are sloppy and utterly clueless about what is safe and what is stupid. The first time they launched a boat and got it capsized, I was more laughing and thinking, "You buncha dumba$$es!" The "Full-shares" from Deadliest Catch would be laughing them off the deck, if these hippies were on their boat, by now! ;)

Then you got the captain who is an ex-communicated Greenpeace founder and seemingly rogue radicalist for his cause on a ship that brings the name "Steve Erwin" into it... It's all just a strange cocktail of ingredients. ;)

Then you got the captain who is an ex-communicated Greenpeace founder and seemingly rogue radicalist for his cause on a ship that brings the name "Steve Erwin" into it... It's all just a strange cocktail of ingredients. ;)

I found it odd that the Irwin estate would lend their name to such a radical endevour. Yes, Steve Irwin was a conservationalist. But he always worked within the system, and not at the edge of it.

Parts of this show are very funny. I also was laughing my a$$ off when they capsized the zodiac and thinking, "What a bunch of idiots!" And although I don't really condone any of their methods, I really don't wish to see any of these people hurt or killed. But like I said in my original post, I will be very surprised if that doesn't happen. When they took off after the whaling ship at dusk, and the ship lost them, I thought that probably the worst happened to them. But when they eventually returned, all I could think of was that old saying, "Fortune Favors the Foolish."

Sounds like a pretty interesting show, and this thread has caused me to wanna check it out. All 4 episodes air Friday night (3 repeats + the premiere of Episode 4) in succession for anyone that is interested in catching up from the start. My DVR is set :)

I found it odd that the Irwin estate would lend their name to such a radical endevour. Yes, Steve Irwin was a conservationalist. But he always worked within the system, and not at the edge of it.

Yes, it is very strange. To add to that, Mrs. Erwin even makes a cameo appearance in the 1st episode in a voyage christening ceremony. Something inside me just felt sorry for the family, as I wondered if that sort of scene was really her place.

I just wanted to bump this to remind those who are interested that Animal Planet will be repeating the first 3 episodes and air 1 new one tonight.

Yes, it is very strange. To add to that, Mrs. Erwin even makes a cameo appearance in the 1st episode in a voyage christening ceremony. Something inside me just felt sorry for the family, as I wondered if that sort of scene was really her place.

The Crocodile Hunter did some episodes in Antarctica, and did some specials on whales.

No doubt whales would fall into their usual animal preservation interests. My comment was more questioning such close association with a radical eco-awareness group such as is depicted in the Whale Wars premise. It just doesn't seem to be their scene, imo.

No doubt whales would fall into their usual animal preservation interests. My comment was more questioning such close association with a radical eco-awareness group such as is depicted in the Whale Wars premise. It just doesn't seem to be their scene, imo.

They really love whales, you need to watch more of the crocodile hunter.

Ah me hardies! Tis' whale out there!

The sharks will be gnawing on their bones soon enough in Davy Jones' locker!

Oooopsees!...busted crane. Doh! Whale hippees foiled again! :p

Arrrr! クジラいい味

Oooopsees!...busted crane. Doh! Whale hippees foiled again! :p

As I said before, fortune must really favor the foolish. The idea of boarding that surveillance ship was completely stupid. I think I even saw a big sense of relief of some of the crews faces when that crane broke.

Yes, this 'captain' is a real d-bag. He doesn't give a single rats-a$$ about his crews safety.

They really love whales, you need to watch more of the crocodile hunter. From the "Steve Irwin Foundation" website, http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/whale_conservation/index.html. I do wonder if they (she) was that familiar with this "Sea Shepard" group though.

Yes, this 'captain' is a real d-bag. He doesn't give a single rats-a$$ about his crews safety. On one of the episodes, he commented something like "they knew what they were getting into when they joined up". I just think he should (illegally) board a ship or be out on the zodiac and cripple a ship's prop, at least a few times.

On one of the episodes, he commented something like "they knew what they were getting into when they joined up". I just think he should (illegally) board a ship or be out on the zodiac and cripple a ship's prop, at least a few times.


He's too fat, let the hippies do it. :eek:

Yes, this 'captain' is a real d-bag. He doesn't give a single rats-a$$ about his crews safety.

Yes, I get this sense, as well. He is eerily cavalier about crew safety. It's more like he views them as expendable, as it suits the cause. If a fatality does "happen", it's all the better drama for however he chooses to spin the situation to make the "bad guys" that much more evil, imo. It could just be me, but when I look into his eyes, I see the glare of a calculated sociopath. That's just my opinion, of course.

That's a bit unnerving, to actually step onto a ship where your role is distinctly to wear a "redshirt" until your time is up. :eek:

Thanks for mentioning the show. I just watched the first 2 episodes. I must say that my sympathy for the whales has dropped seeing the inhumane treatment the captain does to his own crew. Maybe we should be nice to each other first.

I think you mean less sympathy for the anti-whaling effort/cause, no? The whales are just there doing what they do. ;)

I think you mean less sympathy for the anti-whaling effort/cause, no? The whales are just there doing what they do. ;)

Correct, that's what I meant.

On one of the episodes, he commented something like "they knew what they were getting into when they joined up". I just think he should (illegally) board a ship or be out on the zodiac and cripple a ship's prop, at least a few times.

To be fair, the captian has been doing this for 30 yrs so I'm sure he has plenty of hands on experience. The fact that he used his ship to ram another ship last year shows his commitment to the cause and willingness to risk bodily harm.

To be fair, the captian has been doing this for 30 yrs so I'm sure he has plenty of hands on experience. The fact that he used his ship to ram another ship last year shows his commitment to the cause and willingness to risk bodily harm.

The japanese should fight back, carry some yakuza on board.

:D

The fact that he used his ship to ram another ship last year shows his commitment to the cause and willingness to risk bodily harm. They mentioned that on an episode I watched yesterday and I have to ask, "what is illegal and what is legal on the high seas?". Did he get in trouble for ramming this ship ?

And just like the boarding of that whaling ship by his (2) crew members that they called a "kidnapping". Give me a break... The Japanese should have claimed those (2) abandoned the Steve Irwin and were helping them. :)

I think the japanese need a .50 caliber on deck. I cannot support any form of terrorism.

I think the japanese need a .50 caliber on deck. I cannot support any form of terrorism.

Especially in light of the Piracy that's occuring recently. Of course, I'm sure this show is all in the can and the events were already over well before all of this piracy crap.

To be fair, pirating has been around for a while now, no? It's just recently that they have been hitting considerable, larger targets and farther out from land, though.

My impression of sea faring life is that it really is the Wild West out there. There is no law and order out there beyond what you can enforce yourself (at least in the short term). Hence, ship encounters are preceded by plenty of communication, so that intent is very clear. If the intent is left ambiguous, you have to assume the worst and be prepared to defend yourself. I would say any of the antics (on the face of it, at least) the Sea Sheppards participate in are well into the domain of "hostile" encounter. Uninvited boarding of a ship, throwing unknown objects ship-to-ship, and deploying ship immobilizing devices into the water is just begging for a "shoot first, ask questions later" response, imo. I'm not saying the Japanese should do that, but that is definitely a foremost consideration at the critical period of initial encounter (being critical in that it may decide whether you are looking at a repelled attack or a compromised ship). To do all of that, but carry a non-threatening manifesto statement on your person, just doesn't cut it, imo. By time the attacked ship gets to read a message like that (if it is such a scenario), it is too late (if it happens to not be this scenario, and is instead, a genuine pirating attack).

I guess what I'm trying to say is that these anti-whaler activists are seriously playing with fire. If anybody gets shot, it would be regrettable, but certainly appropriate for the kind of "sport" that is going on here.

Don't they consider themselves "pirates" ? Look at the flag they fly on their zodiac when it goes out.... Look here, http://www.seashepherd.org/migaloo/photos.html, and scroll down about halfway to see pictures of the flag in case you aren't familiar.

They are re living their childhood. They think its "cool" to fly a pirate flag. I cant believe they can get away with sideswiping a ship and no criminal charges?

So is it legal for them to throw those "bombs" on the other ships and try to mess up their propellers?

I wouldn't consider them to be "pirates"- maybe wannabe pirates?...or maybe hippy idealists with delusions of being pirates. The flag they run under just makes it seem all the more pathetic. A real pirate crew working for that cause would not just be harassing people. They would absolutely target ships, board uninvited armed with assault weapons, kill the crew, and scuttle the ship. I'm not saying that would get any more respect from me (or that they should actually take it to that extreme), but that would be more in-line with "real" pirating activities.

In other words, the whole pirate flag thing is all show, imo.

I am looking forward next week to see how "hardcore" they really are, when they have to face police charges for their feigned-hostage stunt. ;)

They are re living their childhood. They think its "cool" to fly a pirate flag. I cant believe they can get away with sideswiping a ship and no criminal charges?

I have also wondered the 'wisdom' in patterning their flag after the 'Jolly Roger'. The Japanese most likely know who they are. But I would think it's possible that someone could misinterpret that flag and maybe start firing at them.

Not a whole lot happened this episode. With a broken crane, and a thrashed engine, they had to limp back to port to get repairs. This ep did show even more of what a class-A prick the Captain is though (causing a chunk of the crew to leave when they got back to port). But I guess someone likes him (Red Hot Chili Peppers) because he was able to raise $400K to get his ship back out to sea, sans the Helicopter. What I didn't get was, while the ship was being repaired, why didn't they spend that time getting the all important Helicopter repaired as well?

It was the Red Hot Chili Peppers, not Nine Inch Nails. They supposedly donated $100k to Sea Shepard.

As for the helicopter repair, they said it would takes weeks, i.e. 3-4 (??).

And did you catch their attitude about the crew people who come and go ? They're completely "replaceable" so they really don't care or aren't surprised. And the 1st mate, Peter Brown, commented something along the lines of people are usually only a one-trip crew-member anyway. I suspect "Paul" would have preferred that that not made it on the show ! The best is the new "comm" officer. He's never used the equipment before !! Why would you apply for that job ?? Why would they hire him for that job ??

It was the Red Hot Chili Peppers, not Nine Inch Nails. They supposedly donated $100k to Sea Shepard.


That's right! I corrected my mistake.


As for the helicopter repair, they said it would takes weeks, i.e. 3-4 (??).

And did you catch their attitude about the crew people who come and go ? They're completely "replaceable" so they really don't care or aren't surprised. And the 1st mate, Peter Brown, commented something along the lines of people are usually only a one-trip crew-member anyway. I suspect "Paul" would have preferred that that not made it on the show ! The best is the new "comm" officer. He's never used the equipment before !! Why would you apply for that job ?? Why would they hire him for that job ??

I was thinking the same thing about the 'comm officer'. Why would you hire someone that never even saw a nautical radar unit before, to be in charge of maintaining it?

I agree that some of these details really do bring to question how this whole thing can possibly work smoothly. Is it possible that there is some degree of orchestration involved in the show (as opposed to a genuine wysiwyg reality show)? Maybe some of the zany dialogue we are observing is actually read from a script (as essentially put on an "actor" hat), for the purposes of artificially tweaking the drama of the show?

There apparently seem to be more people lurking around on the ship than the few that were focused on in these few episodes. Maybe those were the real volunteers, as opposed to the embedded actors/actresses (my conspiracy theory ;) ) that dominated the screen time? Like at the party, I was wondering where did all these different people come from? ...and when they are all sitting in that room to hear some announcement by the Captain- why haven't we heard the story about these other people? Were they just not doing anything interesting?...or not camera-friendly in person?

Maybe instead of being the Love Boat, this is the Hippy Cruise Boat? There is a core group that actually runs the ship, and then there is the regular rotation of activists that they invite on an adventurous voyage, see the whales firsthand, and maybe learn a few ins-outs of what it is like to be a ship member along the way? Maybe even the Captain is somewhat disgusted with the caliber of "ship-hands" that come through in the secondary shift?...hence explaining somewhat why he considers them so trivially expendable?

The Japanese need to mount some .50 calibers on the deck and add some spice to the show. Lets see if these hippie tree hugger terrorists still want to play pirate and board ships.

Looks like the Japanese fishing fleet have adopted a pretty effective countermeasure with that spy ship, though. ;) It's the anti-whaler hunter hunter...or anti-anti-whaler hunter?

Looks like the Japanese fishing fleet have adopted a pretty effective countermeasure with that spy ship, though. ;) It's the anti-whaler hunter hunter...or anti-anti-whaler hunter?

Yeah, obviously that Spy Ship frustrates the hell out of em.

Yeah, obviously that Spy Ship frustrates the hell out of em. Wasn't it funny that they rec'd an "anonymous" phone call telling them where the whaling fleet was at and when they got there, they were gone ? And then lo and behold, that spy ship shows up soon after !! :D Coincidence ? I doubt it !

As for that spy ship, what can they do about it ? They can't outrun it, can they ? As for "fouling it's prop", if the spy ship sees them release that rope/cable, couldn't they shut down their engines so that the prop stops spinning (or do they slowly spin down) ?

That spy ship is awesome!

Wasn't it funny that they rec'd an "anonymous" phone call telling them where the whaling fleet was at and when they got there, they were gone ? And then lo and behold, that spy ship shows up soon after !! :D Coincidence ? I doubt it !

As for that spy ship, what can they do about it ? They can't outrun it, can they ? As for "fouling it's prop", if the spy ship sees them release that rope/cable, couldn't they shut down their engines so that the prop stops spinning (or do they slowly spin down) ?
Your thinking along the same lines I was.

They seem to do everything else, why not just throw a sticky bomb on the spy ship?

Oooopsies!!!...I done broke my pirate thumb!

That girl that went on the zodiak must have a glass pelvis or something (or hasn't been drinking her milk, which was probably against her presumably vegan diet).

That new radar ops guy reminds me of some Unix admin that is eerily smart (as if complicated technical stuff to us is mere child's play for him) with a comic book geekiness laying just below the surface. I thought his reference to dodging the spy ship using an ice field to stealthily slipping from the Empire fleet in a Star Wars movie was amusing, but waaaaaay geeky. I bet he is definitely in Team Star Wars, because if he was Team Star Trek, his example would have been along the lines of using a gas nebula to outsmart a pursuant Borg cube or Kahn! ;)

Yeah, I thought it was pretty geeky as well that he kept repeating how cool it was that they lost the Japenese Spy Ship using a strategy from Star Wars. I noticed no one else on board was saying that.

Again the Captain shows how wreckless he is and unconcerned with the safety of his crew by wanting the 4 girls to board the whaling ship. They are probably very lucky that a broken pelvis is the only thing they suffered.

And I think it's funny that they kicked off previous crew members for drinking, yet those guys were better drunk than the new guys are sober. The launching of the Zodiacs was one of the biggest Cluster F's I've seen.

A dingy full of women is going to stop the japanese fleet? This show cannot mean to be serious. Its too funny.

I hope that lady is ok. She probably needs more calcium or something because that bump causing a fracture has got to mean her bones are brittle.

Overall, I think the moral of the show (at least for me) is that fundamentalists shouldn't be allowed to control anything. (This applies to Muslim, Christian, Environmental, Atheist, or any other.) The show definitely reveals the enforced and willful blindness of fundamentalist to laws, facts, other viewpoints, and basically reality.

I hope that lady is ok. She probably needs more calcium or something because that bump causing a fracture has got to mean her bones are brittle.


I wouldn't be surprised to learn that she is vegitarian, which causes all kinds of health issues.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that she is vegitarian, which causes all kinds of health issues.

All meals served on the Steve Irwin are vegan.

This show has turned into a comedy of errors.

This weeks episode- now that was exciting and inspiring, imo. :)

If this show was all they had been up to, it would be far easier to root for the cause. It's the "right" target and they are restrained to stink bombs. Discovering the big mama ship is really the checkmate to this whole game, it seems. It makes perfect strategy to harass and otherwise keep that ship on the run (if you can find it), if that prevents the processing of any whales and isolates it from the actual whaling fleet.

As soon as they go to prop foulers, uninvited boarding, and inciting international incidents which they eagerly spin aggressively to the media, it makes them seem like real tools (apart from the validity of the cause).

Oh and, there is a little part of me that suspects there is a saboteur aboard. ;)

He was shot! Shenanagains! Totally faked. What a douche!

Fun episode. I'd watch the series if they do another one. Some of the moments were pure comedy. Sorry to say for the Shepards, but they come off as a bunch of pricks. Greenpeace has it right, to stop the whaling you need to convince the Japanese.

Also, if a whaling ship is "all that is wrong in the world," then you are sheltered human. Only the rich can afford to waste their time like that.

This thread has turned into a comedy of errors.

Corrected. :rolleyes:

He was shot! Shenanagains! Totally faked. What a douche!

Fun episode. I'd watch the series if they do another one. Some of the moments were pure comedy. Sorry to say for the Shepards, but they come off as a bunch of pricks. Greenpeace has it right, to stop the whaling you need to convince the Japanese.

Also, if a whaling ship is "all that is wrong in the world," then you are sheltered human. Only the rich can afford to waste their time like that.

At the end of the show, they announced 'Whale Wars 2'. So you'll get your wish. Also, for those who missed this show and might be interested, next Friday they are going to air the entire season starting in the afternoon.

I agree that this was a fun series. No matter what side of the Whaling coin you may fall. As far as the Captain getting shot, I don't think that's out of the realm of possibilities. But I was surprised to learn he was wearing a bullet-proof vest. I wonder if that was more for possible mutineers than the Japanese, considering what disregard he has continually shown for his crews safety.

And did anyone notice that when they were taking the crew group picture, there was a single crew member that had their face covered and had their face 'blurred' out? If you were that camera shy, why not just opt out of being in the shot?

These morons are playing pirate and they'll be in for a rude awakening when a Japanese ship decides to really retaliate with the deadly force that they have every right to respond with. All this show has done for the Sea Shepherd is document, for the Japanese defense, why deadly force was justified.

Enjoy watching the show however, but I do feel sorry for the crew getting caught up in this fantasy world that the Captain is trying to create.

And did anyone notice that when they were taking the crew group picture, there was a single crew member that had their face covered and had their face 'blurred' out? If you were that camera shy, why not just opt out of being in the shot?
That person was in a few episodes , on the bridge, ect .. with "her" face blurred out or heavily covered each time she briefly appeared on screen. She was even in this last episode on the bridge with a woll hat & scarf, back to camera ...
I say she because from the blurred glimpses I saw, I believe it's a girl, with Oriental or Japanese features .. I wonder if she is from Japan, or otherwise known to the Fleet, ( The one that gets the "anonamous tips"?) & that is why she is covered up ...

A bunch of terrorist hippies, and whale meat tastes good. :D


I feel sorry for the crew, the captain is d-bag, and doesn't seem to care for there safety.

Yeah, this show looks fu**ing retarded

Yeah, this show looks fu**ing retarded

I dunno... I found this show to be very intertaining. And I'm looking forward to the next season. One thing that I think would be cool though, would be to have a film crew on the Japanese vessels as well to get their perspective. Although, I think there's very little chance of that happening.

This show may really get entertaining if the Whale ships come back with a fast protector ship, installed w/ giant barrelled "Slime Goo" cannons, to cover the Sea Shepards ship in green glop, & The Sea shepards also have similar (biodegradable) secret weapons themselves ...
Add one of those "Bonzai obstacle course" type announcers ...... :) :)

This show may really get entertaining if the Whale ships come back with a fast protector ship, installed w/ giant barrelled "Slime Goo" cannons, to cover the Sea Shepards ship in green glop, & The Sea shepards also have similar (biodegradable) secret weapons themselves ... They should get those super-loud "sirens" that some cruise ships apparently have to thwart pirates. A few months ago there was a story about a cruise ship that successfully used one.

That person was in a few episodes ... with Oriental or Japanese features .. Yeah, we noticed the same thing an episode or two ago and also thought we could make out enough to guess she was "Asian". I wonder if she is from Japan, or otherwise known to the Fleet, ( The one that gets the "anonamous tips"?) & that is why she is covered up ... The one time I recall them getting a tip, which turned out to be a setup, in my opinion, they acted like it came in via telephone.

having seen last night's show & part of the previous one(and no others) a few thoughts:

reasons why Watson's "gunshot" wound may have been faked:

the recovered projectile looked like no handgun round I've ever seen. more like a large pellet gun round.

if the Japanese intended to, as claimed by 1st Mate/fellow d-bag, "assassinate" him I can only think a rifle would have been employed given the circumstances. In which case Watson would be dead. the body armor he was wearing looked to be Level IIA at best, and would not defeat any rifle round.

his wound(the small puncture) looked nothing like any wound suffered by a gunshot victim wearing body armor. it generally leaves one mother of a bruise.

other thoughts:

the girl(my assumption) covering her face may well be a Japanese national & therefore fears being subject to a whole laundry list of charges under Japanese law should her identity be revealed(remember she was speaking in Japanese to the captain of the Nishiin Maru).

once more the international press shows how eager they are to drop to their knees in pursuit of a controversial story that fits their PC leanings. Watson is certainly aware how pathetically easy it is to manipulate the news.

instead of pitching flash-bangs by hand I would like to see the Japanese install some gas-grenade launchers-the turret type used by Korean riot police on their vehicles. saturating the decks of Watson's rustbucket with pepper gas might give pause(& let that sanctimonious Swede 2nd mate choke on his nonsense).

BTW some may wish to rent Penn & Teller's Bullsh*t Season 1. the final epi.("Environmental Hysteria") gives a brief but telling look at Paul Watson's past(and violent) anti-whaling actions. far from the semi-peaceful tree-hugger he portrays himself to the media he has far more in common with anarchists like the ELF & ALF(and no qualms about using any ship under his command as a lethal weapon.)

Noticed on the japan whaling ship there was a website printed on the side. It is a great perspective from the other side of this, plus there are a lot of videos/pics taken of the sea sheapards from the japanese boat. It also has a list of of the terroist type stuff this captain has been doing for years. Here is the site in case you didn't catch it.

icrwhale dot org

(i cant post urls) :(

Noticed on the japan whaling ship there was a website printed on the side. It is a great perspective from the other side of this, plus there are a lot of videos/pics taken of the sea sheapards from the japanese boat. It also has a list of of the terroist type stuff this captain has been doing for years. Here is the site in case you didn't catch it.

icrwhale dot org

(i cant post urls) :(

Thanks. Interesting site.

http://icrwhale.org/eng-index.htm

These morons are playing pirate and they'll be in for a rude awakening when a Japanese ship decides to really retaliate with the deadly force that they have every right to respond with. All this show has done for the Sea Shepherd is document, for the Japanese defense, why deadly force was justified.

Enjoy watching the show however, but I do feel sorry for the crew getting caught up in this fantasy world that the Captain is trying to create.

Despite how I feel about the issue of whaling, I agree that the Japanese have every right to respond. But to call these people morons weakens your argument, and the same goes for others who like to name call, stereotype, and relive their conservative high school group think days. Everyone I have seen on the show has appeared very intelligent and conscious of what they are doing. In other words, to feel sorry for them is absurd as they are clearly doing what they feel is important.

The captain makes no excuses for his actions, nor do the other crew members.

I've tried to approach this show with an open mind, I see both sides, and legality is unclear. The Japanese have a quota, which I would argue is legal under international agreements. What is perhaps not legal is where they are hunting. The crew sees themselves as the only people willing to enforce certain laws and treaties.

I was hoping that AVS of all places would approach this with more care and intelligence. To see the dismissive language used like tree huggers, hippies, morons, et cetera is frankly a real shame from my POV. You can't argue with ignorance. If people want to live in a world without balance, that's fine, but personally I feel these "eco terrorists" offer a necessary counterbalance to what the Japanese do.

Seriously, this is the best comedy on right now.

If he was shot why would they have not gone for his head? Haven't the Japanese seen Dumb and Dumber?

You should give the posters here more credit, DrCrawn. Maybe we have come to conclusions we have about these people absolutely because we went in with an open-mind and concluded that there definitely seems to be something flaky about these people. Just because it doesn't match up with your conclusions, doesn't automatically make you the authority to suggest we should readjust our viewpoints to better match up with your evidently "superior" interpretation of the events.

It's not hard to engender sympathy just being on the side of the whales, in the first place. You have to suspect that there is seriously something unattractive about these people to create a sense of revulsion, despite their allegiance to the whales.

Despite how I feel about the issue of whaling, I agree that the Japanese have every right to respond. But to call these people morons weakens your argument, and the same goes for others who like to name call, stereotype, and relive their conservative high school group think days. Everyone I have seen on the show has appeared very intelligent and conscious of what they are doing. In other words, to feel sorry for them is absurd as they are clearly doing what they feel is important.

The captain makes no excuses for his actions, nor do the other crew members.

I've tried to approach this show with an open mind, I see both sides, and legality is unclear. The Japanese have a quota, which I would argue is legal under international agreements. What is perhaps not legal is where they are hunting. The crew sees themselves as the only people willing to enforce certain laws and treaties.

I was hoping that AVS of all places would approach this with more care and intelligence. To see the dismissive language used like tree huggers, hippies, morons, et cetera is frankly a real shame from my POV. You can't argue with ignorance. If people want to live in a world without balance, that's fine, but personally I feel these "eco terrorists" offer a necessary counterbalance to what the Japanese do.

You'd have to have blinders on to watch the show and not come to the objective conclusion that the captain of the Sea Shepherd is a moron. The way he treats the crew, and the way he tells them that going on a dangerous mission is up to a crew vote - then pouts and whines like a baby when the vote doesn't go his way......

I'm all for enforcing the whaling laws - I'm not for encouraging some egocentric moron on a power trip to continue to recruit "expendable" ideologues to be the point of his spear.

Despite how I feel about the issue of whaling, I agree that the Japanese have every right to respond. But to call these people morons weakens your argument, and the same goes for others who like to name call, stereotype, and relive their conservative high school group think days. Everyone I have seen on the show has appeared very intelligent and conscious of what they are doing. In other words, to feel sorry for them is absurd as they are clearly doing what they feel is important.

The captain makes no excuses for his actions, nor do the other crew members.

I've tried to approach this show with an open mind, I see both sides, and legality is unclear. The Japanese have a quota, which I would argue is legal under international agreements. What is perhaps not legal is where they are hunting. The crew sees themselves as the only people willing to enforce certain laws and treaties.

I was hoping that AVS of all places would approach this with more care and intelligence. To see the dismissive language used like tree huggers, hippies, morons, et cetera is frankly a real shame from my POV. You can't argue with ignorance. If people want to live in a world without balance, that's fine, but personally I feel these "eco terrorists" offer a necessary counterbalance to what the Japanese do.


So it's 'conservative' to care about human life? Well... you might be right. ;)
But I find the Captain, 1st Mate, and 2nd Mate's, lack of concern for the safety of the volunteers they recruit for these 'missions' to be appalling. The first rule of 'any' sea Captain, should be the safety of the crew and ship.

This is just my opinion. I can understand why anti-whalers want to protect the species. They are some of the most beautiful creatures in the ocean. Also, the oceans are a public good, which is very prone to overuse. Because no one "owns" it, the normal tendency is a race to fish as much as possible before someone else does. So without the anti-whalers, there is a very good possibility the ocean would be over fished (or whaled as the case may be), which would be a tragedy.

That being said, I think the Sea Shepards harm their cause more than help it. First, this show has shown the "fantasy" world they operate in. Just one example, they send over two crew mates (with overnight bags) and refuse to take them back, then claim that they were kidnapped. That stunt convinces me that they would be perfectly willing to stage a fake shooting. The captain has no regard for anyone else other than him (and only some little regard for a few that think like him).

In the real world, you can't just have your way with everything, just because you think you are right. For example, this whole idea that what the Japanese is doing is illegal. It clearly is not. The Japanese, a sovereign nation, bound itself to an international treaty. That treaty bans most commercial whaling except for a small quota that they label "scientific research." It doesn't matter what the label is... they could call it Star Wars fishing, the fact is that they are allowed to whale for a certain amount of whales every year. Now, the sea shepards claims that they are fishing in a sanctuary. Yes, Australia declared that area a sanctuary. However, Australia does not have the authority to declare those waters off limits to Japan. The sanctuary ruling only applies to Australian citizens, not to other nations. The claim that what the Japanese are doing is illegal is, just like with most things the Sea Shepards claim, a twisting of the truth for PR. (Though, I don't deny that the "scientific research" is mostly just a PR way of allowing some commercial fishing.)

So, the point of all of this, is that they only way they are going to stop Japanese whaling is to convince the Japanese to give it up themselves. There is no way they are going to convince the Japanese to submit to Australian law. Frankly, the Japanese were duped into signing the treaty anyway, by incentives from the US that we reneged on.

So in the end, Greenpeace has it right. Run a public info campaign in Japan and get enough citizens there to demand a stop, and they will reach their goal. What the Sea Shepard do seems for their own benefit. And it just hardens their opposition's opinions. They come across as so unreasonable that some of their actions during the season, must have set back their cause by years. They are too focused on the means and are sacrificing the ends.

I started to watch this show mostly because I like the Deadliest Catch. I kept watching it for the comedy of they silly people pretending to be sailors. I'll keep watching because it is entertaining. However, as far as agreeing with them, I just can't. They are just too unreasonable.

Like I said, just my opinion.

(Though, I don't deny that the "scientific research" is mostly just a PR way of allowing some commercial fishing.)

I started to watch this show mostly because I like the Deadliest Catch.
I think for scientific research the numbers they kill is pretty high. It's in the high 600's.

I was thinking watching the last episode someone should do a Sea Shepards vs. Deadliest Catch show.

I think for scientific research the numbers they kill is pretty high. It's in the high 600's.
Yes, I agree, that number is probably higher than necessary for strictly scientific research. Their quota is almost double the 600 or so that they catch. It seems pretty clear that "scientific research" is just Political Speech for "internationally regulated and allowed commercial whaling."
I was thinking watching the last episode someone should do a Sea Shepards vs. Deadliest Catch show.
LOL that would be hilarious. The Deadliest Catch guys would pwn the Shepards. Those Deadliest Catch guys are ironmen.

I think the only true morons are the Red Hot Chilipeppers....why would they waste their money on this? They could put that money to a much better cause.

Not that the captain had much of my respect, but he lost it all when he refused to board a ship, but instead threw a boat of women at it.

Yes, I agree, that number is probably higher than necessary for strictly scientific research. Their quota is almost double the 600 or so that they catch. It seems pretty clear that "scientific research" is just Political Speech for "internationally regulated and allowed commercial whaling." The other "gimmick" about this law is it was written to say that the whales they use for their research can't be just wasted when they're done. I mean, what's the point of that ? That loophole had to cause grief for the anti-whaling people ! And the best part is, the Japanese (and likely others) have a "whale-meat processing ship" just to take care of the carcasses ! :D

So in the end, Greenpeace has it right. Run a public info campaign in Japan and get enough citizens there to demand a stop, and they will reach their goal. What the Sea Shepard do seems for their own benefit. And it just hardens their opposition's opinions. They come across as so unreasonable that some of their actions during the season, must have set back their cause by years. I don't recall why I first watched the show... I do "like" whales because they are pretty unique creatures but I'm sorry Sea Shepards, I can't support your methods. I think most people watching would see them as "not all there". Sadly, it seems that most animal-rights types seem to be lacking certain, ummm, qualities.

The other "gimmick" about this law is it was written to say that the whales they use for their research can't be just wasted when they're done. I mean, what's the point of that ? That loophole had to cause grief for the anti-whaling people ! And the best part is, the Japanese (and likely others) have a "whale-meat processing ship" just to take care of the carcasses ! :D

They probably used government research grants to pay for the processing ship. :rolleyes:

You'd have to have blinders on to watch the show and not come to the objective conclusion that the captain of the Sea Shepherd is a moron. The way he treats the crew, and the way he tells them that going on a dangerous mission is up to a crew vote - then pouts and whines like a baby when the vote doesn't go his way......

I'm all for enforcing the whaling laws - I'm not for encouraging some egocentric moron on a power trip to continue to recruit "expendable" ideologues to be the point of his spear.

Obviously everything I said went over your head, and that's fine I wasn't expecting anything else. I see both sides to the issue and try to approach it with maturity, something lacking in this thread. You want to keep calling people morons and anyone who disagrees blind, then ok have at it. Honest, it doesn't bother me one bit. It's easy to pile on and take the easy position, but life is more complicated than that. Saying he is on a power trip is rather absurd. It's just your way of rationalizing behavior you either can't understand or don't agree with. Nobody is holding a gun to anyone's head, and plenty of crew have left in protest. If the whaling laws were being enforced (example: in specific "protected" areas) then these guys would not be doing what they are doing. I'm sorry that I hurt so many people's feelings by taking an alternate viewpoint. When I see name calling, stereotyping, and bashing of people with perhaps more liberal viewpoints than the norm, I call that ignorance.

Obviously everything I said went over your head, and that's fine I wasn't expecting anything else. I see both sides to the issue and try to approach it with maturity, something lacking in this thread. You want to keep calling people morons and anyone who disagrees blind, then ok have at it. Honest, it doesn't bother me one bit. It's easy to pile on and take the easy position, but life is more complicated than that. Saying he is on a power trip is rather absurd. It's just your way of rationalizing behavior you either can't understand or don't agree with. Nobody is holding a gun to anyone's head, and plenty of crew have left in protest. If the whaling laws were being enforced (example: in specific "protected" areas) then these guys would not be doing what they are doing. I'm sorry that I hurt so many people's feelings by taking an alternate viewpoint. When I see name calling, stereotyping, and bashing of people with perhaps more liberal viewpoints than the norm, I call that ignorance.

DrCrawn, you didn't hurt anyone's feelings by taking an alternate viewpoint. What you did was attack people on this forum for stating their own views about some of the people in the show. If you wish to counter those opinions with a different viewpoint, then that's okay. Just don't insult other AVS members while doing so.

I'm a little torn when I watch this show. I have as much 'sympathy' for the whales as the next person. But I also think that being cavalier about people's lives who you have control over, is reprehensible. And the Captain, as well as his 1st and 2nd mate, are a couple of class A, A-holes from what I see. No matter how noble their cause might be, I think they completely sabotage their efforts by treating their voluntary crew as 'expendable'.

Nobody is holding a gun to anyone's head, and plenty of crew have left in protest. That's an excellent point..... As much as the "crew" is for the cause of saving whales, if you watched the episode where they docked and people left while new people joined up, it's very common that many don't stick it out (for whatever their reasons). Sadly, the full-time crew blows them off too.

I imagine one reason they are unconcerned with crew turnover is because of a massive line of volunteers waiting to partake in the "shepard experience". It matters little if a new crewmember stays or goes, because there is definitively somebody waiting at the harbor to replace them. It only behooves them to keep up the churn because that simply increases the flow of willing volunteers at the level of dedication to embrace martyrdom at the whim of the captain (sounds eerily similar to another dangerous group on this planet, you think?).

If the volunteers were more irreplaceable (due to experience or unique expertise to the ship's fundamental operations), I think they would be more concerned about keeping them (safe and sound).

I imagine one reason they are unconcerned with crew turnover is because of a massive line of volunteers waiting to partake in the "shepard experience". It matters little if a new crewmember stays or goes, because there is definitively somebody waiting at the harbor to replace them. It only behooves them to keep up the churn because that simply increases the flow of willing volunteers at the level of dedication to embrace martyrdom at the whim of the captain (sounds eerily similar to another dangerous group on this planet, you think?).

If the volunteers were more irreplaceable (due to experience or unique expertise to the ship's fundamental operations), I think they would be more concerned about keeping them (safe and sound).

Well, the bottom line is that the Captain is responsible for the safety of these 'volunteers'. In the event that one or more of them ever do get seriously hurt or killed, the Captain would be open to a huge lawsuit. And that could shut his operation down permanantly.

Another thing that I've wondered about, is the Discovery/Animal Planet angle in this. Do they pay the Sea Shepards to be allowed on board for filming? I just wonder what sort arrangement is in place?

And that could shut his operation down permanantly.


Good because they are nothing more than vigilante pirates illegally attacking and boarding ships of the japanese who are fishing an approved quota of whales. I see no clear arguement on the sea sheppards side. Even wether or not the area they are fishing is off limits is in question. If they do not like the laws about taking whales for research then fight to have them changed.

In the event that one or more of them ever do get seriously hurt or killed, the Captain would be open to a huge lawsuit. And that could shut his operation down permanantly. No doubt that any "agreement" crew members sign acknowledges that they're fully aware of any risks and that they'll hold neither Watson, nor the organization responsible.

No doubt that any "agreement" crew members sign acknowledges that they're fully aware of any risks and that they'll hold neither Watson, nor the organization responsible.

Maybe someone here who is an attorney can chime in. But I have a feeling that such an aggreement would be moot if something actually happened.

In what country ?

For those interested. Whale Wars starts its second season this Friday on Animal Planet HD. Also, I believe they are going to run the entire first season beginning mid-day, leading up to the first episode of the new season in the evening.

For those interested. Whale Wars starts its second season this Friday on Animal Planet HD. Also, I believe they are going to run the entire first season beginning mid-day, leading up to the first episode of the new season in the evening.
Thanks, I was wondering if they would have a second season after I heard that all their footage was confiscated.

I want to see the japanese breakout a few .50 cal machine guns and defend themselves from these pirates/terrorists.

I want to see the japanese breakout a few .50 cal machine guns and defend themselves from these pirates/terrorists.

LOL! Wouldn't that make for some great TV! The Japanese could just claim they thought they were Somolians.

LOL! Wouldn't that make for some great TV! The Japanese could just claim they thought they were Somolians.

I must say, I'm kind of excited for the new season. I think their campaign to save the whales has backfired (at least for me), but the Sea Sheppard's actions do make for good tv. (I wonder if you can order whale meat from the internet... I'm curious what it tastes like.)

I must say, I'm kind of excited for the new season. I think their campaign to save the whales has backfired (at least for me), but the Sea Sheppard's actions do make for good tv. (I wonder if you can order whale meat from the internet... I'm curious what it tastes like.)

A quick Google search says travel to Alaska, make friends with the natives and find out. The same could be said of Norway or Japan, but AK is closer for those of us in the lower 48.

A quick Google search says travel to Alaska, make friends with the natives and find out. The same could be said of Norway or Japan, but AK is closer for those of us in the lower 48.

I did a quick google search and it seems that most people say whale meat tastes like beef. A few said they preferred it to beef (more tender and sweeter). I think I read someplace that Japan doesn't have a lot of cattle, due to the amount of land it takes to keep them. I wonder if the seafood-less more beefy taste of whale is what makes it so popular there.

In which case, the solution to whaling may be more/cheaper beef in Japan.

Well, the Captain of the Steve Irwin continully shows to be what wreckless dumbass he is. The helicopter finds the japanese ship, and gives them directions. The crew is so incomptitant that they sail right past their turn, so in order to make up for their mistake, they decide to sail right into a densly packed ice field which their ship's hull isn't designed for.

Like last season, it will be a miracle if they don't end up killing someone.

I thought the same thing about them missing the "turn". Maybe they went too far to make it sensible to simply turn around and back-track. They thought the 'factory ship' would have time to leave. I say, send the helicopter back out while they back-tracked. If the helicopter saw it moving, they could still cut it off (by going through the ice). At least that wouldn't be their first option and it would be *less* ice.

I must say, I'm kind of excited for the new season. I think their campaign to save the whales has backfired (at least for me), but the Sea Sheppard's actions do make for good tv. (I wonder if you can order whale meat from the internet... I'm curious what it tastes like.)

I'm curious to know what whale meat tastes like as well. :)

A quick Google search says travel to Alaska, make friends with the natives and find out. The same could be said of Norway or Japan, but AK is closer for those of us in the lower 48.

I say go to Norway and get some whale meat. The women are GORGEOUS!!! :D

Nobody is holding a gun to anyone's head, and plenty of crew have left in protest.

How can crew members get off the ship once they realize the captin is suicidal and a fanatic, and they are stuck in the middle of an ice field?

I'm curious to know what whale meat tastes like as well. :)



I say go to Norway and get some whale meat. The women are GORGEOUS!!! :D

I used to live in Sweden; I concur the Scandinavian women are gorgeous. I don't recall the Swedes eating whale much though it was before I gave any thought about it.

How can crew members get off the ship once they realize the captin is suicidal and a fanatic, and they are stuck in the middle of an ice field?
Jump off and hope they can make it to land before they reach the end of the ice bergs.

You would think after 20 something years being down there near ice they would've reinforced the ship to protect against ice. :confused:

^^ Hey, at least they got a cover/mini hangar for the helicopter. :D

Last nights episode had several dramatic moments. The temporary loss of the Zodiac was a little concerning. They had a similar problem last season when they lost communication with one as well.

The ice field looks like serious business. Pretty narley seeing the inside of the hull buckle in like that! Even the camara man had to say, "F This!"

Last nights episode had several dramatic moments. The temporary loss of the Zodiac was a little concerning. They had a similar problem last season when they lost communication with one as well.

The ice field looks like serious business. Pretty narley seeing the inside of the hull buckle in like that! Even the camara man had to say, "F This!"
They always complain about the communications, getting the boat down, etc. Do they even train them to use them?

Yeah when that camera man left did you see the look on that guys face? It was great.

They don't seem to have trained much at at and then blame the rookies when things go south. I can just imagine the whales asking "Is there anybody else?"

If the hull was compromised, just what were the duo in the rope locker expected to do? Use that bucket?

I think they just told them that it was their responsibility to "Stop the leaks". :D (The smiley is because it made me laugh, not because I'm joking - IIRC, that's exactly what they told them)

Love watching this show. Hard to believe that they get enough funding from people to go out and play Pirate Ship. They practice throwing the rancid butter, but forgot to practice launching the runabout, navigation and communications.

Eventually, this is going to have a very ugly ending, but until then, it's entertaining watching their ineptitude.

They don't seem to have trained much at at and then blame the rookies when things go south. I can just imagine the whales asking "Is there anybody else?"

If the hull was compromised, just what were the duo in the rope locker expected to do? Use that bucket?

I was wondering the exact same thing! What is it they were supposed to do? All I could think of was the TV show 'Lost in Space' from when I was a kid. Several times they had a hull breach on the Jupiter 2, and they had what looked like a large hockey puck with a handle that they would stick over the hole to stop the air leak.

How does this operation get and keep insured? I can't believe any insurance would'nt be revoked for someone intentionally taking a ill-designed ship into major ice fields.

Also, no rescue should be done for these reckless criminals if they go down. It's one thing to put themselves in danger but then to expect others to come to their rescue and risk everything is not right. These criminals conviniently change their world view to their benefit to save their own skin but would kill all onboard a Japanese vessel if given the chance.

I've worked on a few big ships before and those shots of the hull flexing due to ice pressure are so frightening I can't believe that ship isn't on the bottom. Absolutely suicidal.

Well, the Captain of the Steve Irwin continully shows to be what wreckless dumbass he is. The helicopter finds the japanese ship, and gives them directions. The crew is so incomptitant that they sail right past their turn, so in order to make up for their mistake, they decide to sail right into a densly packed ice field which their ship's hull isn't designed for.

Like last season, it will be a miracle if they don't end up killing someone.
Amen, What an idiot. That guy should be tried for attempted murder heading into that ice with an unfit ship. And then they send 2 guys down inside the hull and tell them to fix it if it rips open?????? The only thing those two are going to do down there is die 10 minutes earlier than the rest of those idiots.

As far as the show goes we had one episode getting into the ice and now another episode stuck in the ice. Did they run out of material??? We are to endure 3 weeks of this idiots decision to go into the ice?

Amen, What an idiot. That guy should be tried for attempted murder heading into that ice with an unfit ship. And then they send 2 guys down inside the hull and tell them to fix it if it rips open?????? The only thing those two are going to do down there is die 10 minutes earlier than the rest of those idiots.

As far as the show goes we had one episode getting into the ice and now another episode stuck in the ice. Did they run out of material??? We are to endure 3 weeks of this idiots decision to go into the ice?

If you say this life threatening situation has occurred before on tape and they put themselves in the same/or worse again...how can this be accepted even by the most stanch activist of any persuasion? I've been starting to view this crew in a different way...I see in their eyes a 'suicide bomber' mentality. Be ionized...I see some very scared people too...many on the bridge but those two or three people in the rope room have their fate in a lunatics hands.

If you say this life threatening situation has occurred before on tape and they put themselves in the same/or worse again...how can this be accepted even by the most stanch activist of any persuasion? I've been starting to view this crew in a different way...I see in their eyes a 'suicide bomber' mentality. Be ionized...I see some very scared people too...many on the bridge but those two or three people in the rope room have their fate in a lunatics hands.
I was thinking this too, but then I remembered he didn't seem this idiotic last year. With this being the 2nd season its possible potential volunteers would see what he is really like.

Did others catch it when they mentioned it would be "weeks" before others could reach them in order to rescue them if something were to happen, i.e. their boat sinks ? Where do they think they'll be sitting waiting for the rescuers ?

They don't seem to have trained much at at and then blame the rookies when things go south. I can just imagine the whales asking "Is there anybody else?"

If the hull was compromised, just what were the duo in the rope locker expected to do? Use that bucket?

Thats the same thing I thought when I saw that bucket. :p

Did others catch it when they mentioned it would be "weeks" before others could reach them in order to rescue them if something were to happen, i.e. their boat sinks ? Where do they think they'll be sitting waiting for the rescuers ?There will be no rescue. Recovery maybe, rescue no.

I don't know what it is, but for as much as I despise the "protagonists" of this show, somehow it all ends up being rivetting! :p

Regarding the incidental malfunctions along the way, it's like Star Trek meets Real Life, where somebody manages to fix critical systems just in the nick of time to save the ship. I don't know how that is remotely possible for real life circumstances, but nonetheless, these instances are supposedly captured in live footage. Seems like there should be more likelihood of being SOL, so I don't know how they manage to keep pulling it out in the nick of time.

I don't know what it is, but for as much as I despise the "protagonists" of this show, somehow it all ends up being rivetting! :p

Regarding the incidental malfunctions along the way, it's like Star Trek meets Real Life,

Hey, maybe they can sling shot around Antartica, go back in time, grab up a couple of whales that they know are about to be killed, come back to their normal time, and release the whales far away from the Japanese fleet!

...sorry. I just couldn't resist.

I love the look on the face of the new chick (who was in the U.S. Navy) on several occasions. She has the look of, "Are you freakin' kidding me?" when the captain or 1st mate make a decision.

The 1st mate (the guy that's been with him since the early 80's) has no clue how to navigate that vessel, and has no business being at the helm. Some of his comments kill me:

"I don't keep up with all that technology like these kids do, just give me the sun and stars to navigate" (Or something like that)

Then a few moments later, while navigating through the ice:

"Don't tell me 270-degrees, I don't know what that means, it confuses me, say something like 20-degrees starboard"

This guy is going to get someone killed.

And what did the captain say? Something like, "This is why I don't want professionals, professionals are only in it for the money. Volunteers do it because they want to." The only way I'd ever step foot on that ship is if I were the helicopter pilot.

I'm seriously surprised the Japanese haven't paid someone to assassinate this guy yet, since in their culture, they're very honorable.

btw, in Season 1, when Pottsie and the other guy boarded the ship, the first thing I thought was, hell, throw them overboard, the zodiac is right there, they'll be alright. They boarded the ship illegally, I doubt they'd have gotten in trouble for it.

How do you know when your an idiot?

When you take a ship full of ~100 people into an area known for ice and your ship isn't rated for ice.

The captain reminds me of a radicalist version of Captain Kangaroo! :p (Anybody remember that guy?)

The captain reminds me of a radicalist version of Captain Kangaroo! :p (Anybody remember that guy?)

Would that make Peter the moose?

And all that ice is really ping pong balls!

It's really just another reality show, only this one has a political purpose. Some might like it while others will be turned off.

I love the look on the face of the new chick (who was in the U.S. Navy) on several occasions. She has the look of, "Are you freakin' kidding me?" when the captain or 1st mate make a decision.

The 1st mate (the guy that's been with him since the early 80's) has no clue how to navigate that vessel, and has no business being at the helm. Some of his comments kill me:

"I don't keep up with all that technology like these kids do, just give me the sun and stars to navigate" (Or something like that)



I was thinking the same thing. This guy is supposed to be an experienced seaman? Where did he learn how to sail... with Colombus? I almost half expected him to go out and drop a drag line to see how many knots they're going.

Did anyone see last nights episode (yet)? Anyone believe that there was really a missing person from that Japanese ship Keishan (spelling guess) Maru?

I Googled some words right now but could not find any info.

The Jpn are getting smart and leveraging propaganda (my suspicion) to their benefit, when the opportunity arises. ;)

I was highly amused (with the last episode- finally got caught up with the show) when it seemed like our merry band of eco-warriors got themselves in a life-threatening situation on the count of not enough global warming (glaciers gone mad).


I was thinking the same thing. This guy is supposed to be an experienced seaman? Where did he learn how to sail... with Colombus? I almost half expected him to go out and drop a drag line to see how many knots they're going.

I could swear that's the same guy that was in a mail order cd commercial about 15 yrs ago- "Is that Feedom Rock?! Turn'it up, dude!!!" :p

Quote:
I was thinking the same thing. This guy is supposed to be an experienced seaman? Where did he learn how to sail... with Columbus? I almost half expected him to go out and drop a drag line to see how many knots they're going.


I could swear that's the same guy that was in a mail order cd commercial about 15 yrs ago- "Is that Feedom Rock?! Turn'it up, dude!!!" :p

He missed the turn to get out of the ice. How many times is this guy going to mis-navigate the ship? He screws up, every time he's at the helm. Not to mention his dissing of Ice Charts and the Check List for the proper launching of the Zodiacs. It's becoming comical at how he covers up his own failings and inabilities by putting down modern technology and proper navel procedures.

He missed the turn to get out of the ice. How many times is this guy going to mis-navigate the ship? He screws up, every time he's at the helm. Not to mention his dissing of Ice Charts and the Check List for the proper launching of the Zodiacs. It's becoming comical at how he covers up his own failings and inabilities by putting down modern technology and proper navel procedures.

I really didn't understand how they screwed up missing the turn. Seriously, all the pilot had to do is copy down the GPS coordinates of where the glaciers where. Once the "Steve Irwin" was anywhere near those coordinates, it wouldn't be that hard.

And they complained that it was night-time, they couldn't really see. I'm sorry NVGs don't cost that much. Kill all external lights, and use the goggles.

EDIT: It's sad because I believe in the cause (of saving whales), but every time I watched this show, I'm actually rooting for the Japanese to get away, or do something back to them. I guess it's the whole, "If you're that stupid and incompetent, you deserve to fail" mentality that I have.

I missed the last episode, and it hasn't been posted on animal planet's website yet. Sounds like it was a fun one. I hope they get it up soon; usually it is up by now.

I think the trick with the ice chart and making the correct turn is that by time they reach this critical turn, the positions/formation of the chart data is already well over 24 hrs old. By then things shift around, openings may become less defined or gone altogether. Possibly new openings may have formed, as well.

Maybe the escape route was there, maybe not. I don't really know. I won't discount that it would be a precarious task to identify and navigate such a dated path in the dark of night. If it wasn't defined enough to acquire it visually at the predicted coordinates, that would still be quite an executive decision to turn right into the ice at the predicted spot on the hunch that a path should be there or may become more apparent once you drill in further. I'm not sure what decision I would make in those shoes.

Question is- for such a critical point in this operation, why didn't that ice chart guy make sure he was on the bridge at that time to help reassess the conditions? If he was asleep in his bunk, why didn't that old guy send to wake him once they reached that spot? I think they are both guilty of not doing all they could to exploit this opportunity.

I'm not sure we are presented in the show with clear enough information to say either way if the turn should have been taken. I think all of that drama was more about directing attention on that old guy as being a real luddite (whether he was truly right or wrong).

Im glad they missed the turn, greater chance of watching them sink now.

I missed the last episode, and it hasn't been posted on animal planet's website yet. Sounds like it was a fun one. I hope they get it up soon; usually it is up by now.

It repeats again on Sundays at 10:00pm!

Im glad they missed the turn, greater chance of watching them sink now.

Well, although I think they're all a bunch of nut balls... I don't really want to see any of them hurt.

I think the trick with the ice chart and making the correct turn is that by time they reach this critical turn, the positions/formation of the chart data is already well over 24 hrs old. By then things shift around... That's one case where 1st Mate Peter Brown is actually right. As he said, the ice maps never match what they can see since the data is at least 24 hours old and the ice is moving.

Did anyone see last nights episode (yet)? Anyone believe that there was really a missing person from that Japanese ship Keishan (spelling guess) Maru? And what shocked me was that Watson seemed to be going to help them find the missing person('s body).

And what shocked me was that Watson seemed to be going to help them find the missing person('s body).
It's a sailors code to help them out, no matter what the consequences.

It's a sailors code to help them out, no matter what the consequences. Yes, I realize that, but I wondered if they drew a line somewhere. I suspect some of them feel "he kills whales, screw him". In fact, didn't one of the American crew members allude to that (middle-aged guy, light-colored or maybe graying hair, cut short ... maybe his name was "Joe") ?

Yes, I realize that, but I wondered if they drew a line somewhere. I suspect some of them feel "he kills whales, screw him". In fact, didn't one of the American crew members allude to that (middle-aged guy, light-colored or maybe graying hair, cut short ... maybe his name was "Joe") ?

Yes, I thought I heard the same thing. In my book, send in the SEALS and take em out. The captain alone would be strung up in the Navy I belonged to for endangering his crew with his idiotic stunts. If the Sea Shepard would have attacked my last ship the way they did the Japanese, they would have had a couple of 50 cals up their collective rear ends and probably treading water if they survived our response.

Now if we were at war with a real hostile force, sacrifices will have to be made, but this is silly. We are talking about a bunch of fisherman running under questionable but still legal circumstances being terrorized by a bunch of very dangerous thugs driving a weapon on the high seas. I say take em out. :cool:

Just my .02

Mike

Yes, I realize that, but I wondered if they drew a line somewhere. I suspect some of them feel "he kills whales, screw him". In fact, didn't one of the American crew members allude to that (middle-aged guy, light-colored or maybe graying hair, cut short ... maybe his name was "Joe") ?

I think the Sea Shepherds would lose much of their support really quick if they put forth that kind of attitude officially or in practice. Even when they're throwing their stink bombs, etc., the are told don't hit any people, and to throw them away from any crew members. Right now, they're fighting a noble cause without deliberately hurting anyone. Which is one of the reasons I can still sympathize with them.

Yes, I thought I heard the same thing. In my book, send in the SEALS and take em out. The captain alone would be strung up in the Navy I belonged to for endangering his crew with his idiotic stunts. If the Sea Shepard would have attacked my last ship the way they did the Japanese, they would have had a couple of 50 cals up their collective rear ends and probably treading water if they survived our response.

Now if we were at war with a real hostile force, sacrifices will have to be made, but this is silly. We are talking about a bunch of fisherman running under questionable but still legal circumstances being terrorized by a bunch of very dangerous thugs driving a weapon on the high seas. I say take em out. :cool:

Just my .02

Mike

They may be crazy but they are not dumb enough to pull these stunts on a navy ship. Besides, they are not the ones killing the whales, the fisherman are, hence the whole concept of the show!

Something has gone drastically wrong with our international maritime laws when the Japanese vessels don't feel free to attack and sink the Steve Irwin for the actions it took in the last show. They should be able to do so with no ramifications.

Something has gone drastically wrong with our international maritime laws when the Japanese vessels don't feel free to attack and sink the Steve Irwin for the actions it took in the last show. They should be able to do so with no ramifications.

What set of laws governs the open ocean? Are there any laws, or is it every man for himself. Does it depend on what flag the ship sails under?

And what shocked me was that Watson seemed to be going to help them find the missing person('s body).Not to me. I thought it was clear he was going to attack them. The low life Scum.

I think the Sea Shepards would lose much of their support really quick if they put forth that kind of attitude officially or in practice. Even when they're throwing their stink bombs, etc., the are told don't hit any people, and to throw them away from any crew members. Right now, they're fighting a noble cause without deliberately hurting anyone. Which is one of the reasons I can still sympathize with them.
What happens when their little bottles of acid cause someone to fall off a ship and die?

Keep in mind just because they are being harassed, doesn't mean anyone should advocate them using deadly force (unless I missed that you are all joking).

Just like I can't pull out my pistol and shoot the person in head who cut me off and almost ran me off the road and killed me. It simply doesn't work that way, although, I know it makes you feel like a big, tough guy by saying it.

If they damage the Japanese ship or hurt a crew members, I'd suggest taking the appropriate legal action (although I honestly don't know how it works for maritime incidents) and try to use the incident to shut them down. By advocating the ships start firing at the Sea Shepherds or sink them, you become just as bad as them by dropping down to their level.

Keep in mind just because they are being harassed, doesn't mean anyone should advocate them using deadly force (unless I missed that you are all joking).

Just like I can't pull out my pistol and shoot the person in head who cut me off and almost ran me off the road and killed me. It simply doesn't work that way, although, I know it makes you feel like a big, tough guy by saying it.

If they damage the Japanese ship or hurt a crew members, I'd suggest taking the appropriate legal action (although I honestly don't know how it works for maritime incidents) and try to use the incident to shut them down. By advocating the ships start firing at the Sea Shepherds or sink them, you become just as bad as them by dropping down to their level.

I doubt there is any legal authority to convict people of crimes in the middle of the ocean. What country has jurisdiction?

The USA Navy has a policy if an unauthorized ship gets too close they will shoot first and ask questions later. We learned that from what happened to the USS Cole. Why can't a private ship react the same way?

I doubt there is any legal authority to convict people of crimes in the middle of the ocean. What country has jurisdiction?

The USA Navy has a policy if an unauthorized ship gets too close they will shoot first and ask questions later. We learned that from what happened to the USS Cole. Why can't a private ship react the same way?
Presumably the country who's ship the incident occurred on or whatever country controls the water the incident occurred on. However, like I said, I know next to nothing about maritime law.

Armies/Navies/Etc can take offensive and defensive actions, that's their entire purpose of their existence. Private citizens aren't given that power, unless it's in direct defense of their life. IE, the Sea Shepherds get AK's and aim them at the Japanese ships, etc.

Like, I said, it's the same if someone almost rams my car and kills me. I still can't pull out my handgun and shoot them in the head. It's doesn't work like that, regardless of whether we are talking about a car, ship or whatever.

What happens when their little bottles of acid cause someone to fall off a ship and die?

Like I indicated, in that case the Sea Shepards are going to suffer a major PR disaster. Of course, the Japanese are fighting a PR war as well.

I just started watching this show. I hold a OUPV license (the smallest of Captain's licenses you can get) and am just floored at the Captain's total disregard for the lives on his vessel and others. His excuse that a vacuum pulled the 2 ships together is bull. He got too close and when he tried to turn away, his stern swung into the other ship (ships general pivot near the center). The Steve Irwin is not rated for ice yet he lets himself get stuck in an ice pack.

Can you image the lawsuit if/when he hurts/kills someone?

I believe in the cause but I don't believe we put animal's live in front of our own.

There are international maritime laws and admiralty laws would come into play.

Keep in mind just because they are being harassed, doesn't mean anyone should advocate them using deadly force (unless I missed that you are all joking).

If they damage the Japanese ship or hurt a crew members, I'd suggest taking the appropriate legal action (although I honestly don't know how it works for maritime incidents) and try to use the incident to shut them down. By advocating the ships start firing at the Sea Shepherds or sink them, you become just as bad as them by dropping down to their level.

Baloney.

I wouldn't trust my life and the lives of my crew to the skill and unknown intentions of the "captain" of the Steve Irwin.

Ramming a ship is an act of aggression. You don't wait until you are sinking to decide that you should have done whatever possible to neutralize the threat.

You'd have to be absolutely clueless to suggest that you should wait until you are hurt, or killed, and only then should you (or your widow) take legal action.



Just like I can't pull out my pistol and shoot the person in head who cut me off and almost ran me off the road and killed me. It simply doesn't work that way, although, I know it makes you feel like a big, tough guy by saying it.

If he runs your family's car off the road on the edge of a cliff, then puts his bumper against the side of your car and revs the engine in neutral. You absolutely can pull out your gun and shoot him in the head. It doesn't make you big and tough, it means you have the most basic grasp of common sense.

If someone doesn't take that action, they are single and childless - or should be.

Can you image the lawsuit if/when he hurts/kills someone? I'm sure that the "volunteers" on the Steve Irwin sign a waiver, though I don't know if it's truly binding, that is, "signing your life away".

We are talking about a bunch of fisherman running under questionable but still legal circumstances being terrorized by a bunch of very dangerous thugs driving a weapon on the high seas. I say take em out. Last season, one thing the Steve Irwin crew was doing was looking for anyone with a weapon on the Japanese ship(s). They made a big deal out of it, implying that no weapons are allowed on commercial ships. I've read similar stories about when the Coast Guard or Navy boards a ship and finds a gun that it's a big deal and people get in trouble (????). Anyway, they suggested that the Japanese may have put military personnel on board these commercial fishing ships and that "they weren't allowed" to do that.

Keep in mind just because they are being harassed, doesn't mean anyone should advocate them using deadly force (unless I missed that you are all joking).


When a pirate illegally boards your ship you kill them. Once that happens a few times this nonsense will end.

Last season, one thing the Steve Irwin crew was doing was looking for anyone with a weapon on the Japanese ship(s). They made a big deal out of it, implying that no weapons are allowed on commercial ships. I've read similar stories about when the Coast Guard or Navy boards a ship and finds a gun that it's a big deal and people get in trouble (????). Anyway, they suggested that the Japanese may have put military personnel on board these commercial fishing ships and that "they weren't allowed" to do that.

You can have weapons on commercial vessels, it's the insurance companies that frown upon it. Plus, some countries won't allow you to port if they know you're carrying weapons.

I'm sure that the "volunteers" on the Steve Irwin sign a waiver, though I don't know if it's truly binding, that is, "signing your life away".

Right. I think most waivers and hold harmless agreements, protect an entity from being sued for negligence, but not gross negligence.

I really didn't understand how they screwed up missing the turn. Seriously, all the pilot had to do is copy down the GPS coordinates of where the glaciers where. Once the "Steve Irwin" was anywhere near those coordinates, it wouldn't be that hard.

And they complained that it was night-time, they couldn't really see. I'm sorry NVGs don't cost that much. Kill all external lights, and use the goggles.

EDIT: It's sad because I believe in the cause (of saving whales), but every time I watched this show, I'm actually rooting for the Japanese to get away, or do something back to them. I guess it's the whole, "If you're that stupid and incompetent, you deserve to fail" mentality that I have.

I agree I end up rooting for the japanese in this show, and laughing at those eco terrorists while they make mistakes.

Whale meat is tasty anyways.

I agree I end up rooting for the japanese in this show, and laughing at those eco terrorists while they make mistakes.

Whale meat is tasty anyways.

I wonder how the Steve Irwin crew would react if the Japanese ship started throwing eggs?

They'd run into the path of the flying egg in order to get hit and hopefully injured for the cause. Then Paul Watson would put out a press release stating they were violently attacked by the whalers... :D

It would be funny if the Japanese fired that harpoon of theirs right through the side of the Irwin. Now that would make for some great tv.:D

It would be funny if the Japanese fired that harpoon of theirs right through the side of the Irwin. Now that would make for some great tv.:D

Well, that's the point of the show. They want the japanese to do something dumb so they can get some more media attention.

Well, that's the point of the show. They want the japanese to do something dumb so they can get some more media attention. And so far, I think the Japanese are doing the smart thing and not responding at all.

They'd run into the path of the flying egg in order to get hit and hopefully injured for the cause. Then Paul Watson would put out a press release stating they were violently attacked by the whalers... :D
Then say they were shot with a gun.

Isn't it obvious, all the Japanese need to do is throw snowballs at the hull.

They'd run into the path of the flying egg in order to get hit and hopefully injured for the cause. Then Paul Watson would put out a press release stating they were violently attacked by the whalers... :D

All of a sudden I flashed back to the M*A*S*H* episode when Frank gets a Purple Heart for shrapnel (eggshell) in his eye!

It would be funny if the Japanese fired that harpoon of theirs right through the side of the Irwin. Now that would make for some great tv.:D

The proper first step after they ignore warnings is to try and take out their rudder or prop. If they can do that with the harpoon, that's perfectly acceptable - and proper.

If that doesn't work, then you move on to deadly force.

On last night's episode, they replayed part of what I mentioned above... The crew member said "he has reservations" about mounting an attack on the whaling ships while they're searching for the body.

Since no one's commented about last night's episode yet, I presume most DVR it so I'll hold off saying anything else for now. We DVR it too, but my son wanted to watch it already, which we did.

The proper first step after they ignore warnings is to try and take out their rudder or prop. If they can do that with the harpoon, that's perfectly acceptable - and proper.

If that doesn't work, then you move on to deadly force.

We would have been at deadly force in the first episode, and a search and rescue for any survivors on my last ship. Not that there would have been much left to search for.:D

Mike

On last night's episode, they replayed part of what I mentioned above... The crew member said "he has reservations" about mounting an attack on the whaling ships while they're searching for the body.

Since no one's commented about last night's episode yet, I presume most DVR it so I'll hold off saying anything else for now. We DVR it too, but my son wanted to watch it already, which we did.

I believe that the forum rules are that once an episode airs in it's regular time spot, spoilers and content are fair game.

Looks like the Japanese are getting a lot sneakier this year. And how about all of those counter measures! It will be interesting to see how effective they are later in the season.

Yeah, the counter-measures were awesome! I can't wait to see them in action. I loved the Shepards faces when they were told about them. If it were up to me, I'd probably outlaw all whaling, I just don't see much of a point in it. But, the shepards are such jerks, that I find myself routing for the Japanese more often than not.

So far, the first half of their campaign was pretty much a waste. I don't think the Japanese stopped whaling for one day because of the shepards.

Yeah, the counter-measures were awesome! I can't wait to see them in action. I loved the Shepards faces when they were told about them. If it were up to me, I'd probably outlaw all whaling, I just don't see much of a point in it. But, the shepards are such jerks, that I find myself routing for the Japanese more often than not.

So far, the first half of their campaign was pretty much a waste. I don't think the Japanese stopped whaling for one day because of the shepards.

I didn't see the show mentioned, but I did record it. So, it is getting viewers, but from reading these posts, it does not look like it is having the desired left wing response. With that said, it still does not justify harassing the Japanese the way they are, supposedly there may already be a life lost and this is beyond acceptable no matter how it happened. And please don't spoil this, I plan on watching it tonight.

Mike

I didn't see the show mentioned, but I did record it. So, it is getting viewers, but from reading these posts, it does not look like it is having the desired left wing response.
Mike

I don't think the Sea Shepherds are looking for a 'Left-Wing' response. That's preaching to the choir. I think they're looking for much broader response than that. Let's face it, what they physically do to the Japanese whaling fleet, isn't going have much impact on Japanese whaling. So they're primary objective is use what they do and this show as a pulpit to garner wide enough support to try and get such whaling outlawed. So as I mentioned earlier, it's a PR campaign. And both the Sea Shepherds and the Japanese Whalers are waging it.

Spoiler below:


I don't know what the Sea Shepard can do now that Japanese have nets and those speaker things. I think a cruise ship fended off pirates with one of those things. Either way this show makes for some good entertainment.

Where do they recruit volunteers? Is there a rogues guild? I'm surprised the ecoterrorists haven't accepted a serial killer as a member of their crew. That would be entertaining TV! Out in the middle of the ocean, the clock strikes midnight, a serial killer starts killing the crew 1 by 1, starting with the crew members that are having sex, and showing the viewers gratuitous shots of titties.





I've been watching too many horror slasher movies. They should put Michael or Jason on that ship.

I was kinda amazed that 1st mate (tool) Peter Brown doesn't get paid anything. I would figure someone at that high on the chain of command would. So the only person(s) getting paid on the boat are the camera men?

All I have to say is good that 1st tool is leaving the ship. Dude is an ass.

The whole thing with the gas, so they one guy was guessing about 5 tonnes of fuel left, and 1st tool said they had plenty left. Umm, they had fuel left either way, so what was his big deal?

Yeah, the counter-measures were awesome! I can't wait to see them in action. I loved the Shepards faces when they were told about them. If it were up to me, I'd probably outlaw all whaling, I just don't see much of a point in it. But, the shepards are such jerks, that I find myself routing for the Japanese more often than not.

So far, the first half of their campaign was pretty much a waste. I don't think the Japanese stopped whaling for one day because of the shepards.

I'm in a similar position. Thought I'd be rooting against the whalers until I saw the show, now I'm hoping the Japanese expand their fleet.

What's the alternative? Watch while whales gradually become extinct, one species at a time? The Japanese won't respond to anything other than a show of force, apparently. Kinda' like WWII. Unfortunately, these hapless people aren't really affecting anything other than producing a TV show that demonstrates how bumbling they are. But at least somebody's trying to do something to help these magnificent creatures besides poor Claire Bennet.

What's the alternative? Watch while whales gradually become extinct, one species at a time? The Japanese won't respond to anything other than a show of force, apparently. Kinda' like WWII. Unfortunately, these hapless people aren't really affecting anything other than producing a TV show that demonstrates how bumbling they are. But at least somebody's trying to do something to help these magnificent creatures besides poor Claire Bennet.

The alternative is to work in Japan to change their minds about eating whale -- cut the demand. Right now the Sea Sheppards actions just serve to harden their opposition. They may save a couple of whales every whaling season, but their hard-line and unreasonable stance causes people in Japan to harden their pro-whaling stance, thereby extending the day when whaling will cease. So really they are causing more harm to whales than good.

It is kind of like the whole dolphin free tuna thing. To stop the deaths of dolphins (which aren't endangered) fishermen were forced to use different techniques for fishing... unfortunately these new techniques catch a lot of fish (many endangered) that weren't being caught before. The end result is that to save 1 dolphin you are harming dozens of other fish with the end result being greater environmental destruction.

The only way out of a Chinese finger puzzle is to stop pulling and change directions.

Id like to see those bottles caught and thrown right back at Watson and crew. Let them get sick from the stench.

Rooting for the Japanese here. And yes, the Steve Irwin crew is going about this bassakwards. Just because it "feels" like the right thing to do, does not mean it will get the desired effect or results.

Where is my harpoon?

Mike

The alternative is to work in Japan to change their minds about eating whale -- cut the demand. I'd be curious to know what the general opinion of Sea Shepard is in Japan. I know on the show that they claim the Japanese consider them terrorists, but which Japanese ? Those who like whale meat or who know people who work in the whaling industry ? Or does the average citizen in Japan feel that way ?

I'd be curious to know what the general opinion of Sea Shepard is in Japan. I know on the show that they claim the Japanese consider them terrorists, but which Japanese ? Those who like whale meat or who know people who work in the whaling industry ? Or does the average citizen in Japan feel that way ?

I'd imagine since the majority of people here in America, where we don't eat whale meat and are mostly against whaling, think they are eco-terrorists - it's a safe bet that their claim is accurate.

I'd imagine since the majority of people here in America, where we don't eat whale meat and are mostly against whaling, think they are eco-terrorists - it's a safe bet that their claim is accurate.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Because Americans consider them eco-terrorists, the Japanese public does too ? Not sure about that...

The Japanese aren't eating whale meat, its obvious those ships are doing research, it says so right on the ship. ;) With that said the people on the ship are nothing but morons who just may end up one day getting one of them killed. They do NOT have any skill or training that makes them affective at what they are trying to do.

Peter Brown the 1st mate, oh yeah that guy is a total tool, I didn't see anyone that's not happy hes leaving. I hope those noise things just mess people up on that ship, but I have a feeling its like most of this show, a lot of hype and drama with little results. I love watching it though just to watch the 3 stooges like antics of a bunch of Eco-morons. The ONLY thing I think will stop the whaling is if all the ways were killed, other then that they wont ever succeed.

That 1st mate, I imagine if there was a clandestine saboteur aboard, it would be him...not because he wants to foil the whale saving mission. It's just the compulsiveness of it all, like the scorpion sitting on the frog's back. Now that he is leaving, if the most simple of things now run smoothly, when the team has to "roll", that will seal my suspicions. ;)

Because Americans consider them eco-terrorists, the Japanese public does too ? Not sure about that...

The Japanese girl on the Irwin has her face hidden because she said in Japan they are considered terrorists. She said her family in Japan disowned her because she joined the Steve Irwin crew.

They should find a different name for the boat than Steve Irwin. That was a good guy, and these guys are nothing like him. I doubt Steve Irwin ever threw acid on anyone.

The Japanese aren't eating whale meat, its obvious those ships are doing research, it says so right on the ship. ;)

Maybe they are doing research.

Some people believe that shark fins can stop or slow some cancers. In China it is popular. In some nations they banned it. Just because its not used as research in one nation does not mean another nation has alternative uses.

Maybe they are doing research.

Some people believe that shark fins can stop or slow some cancers. In China it is popular. In some nations they banned it. Just because its not used as research in one nation does not mean another nation has alternative uses.

Nah, even though I'm sure they do some scientific research, the term "research" is just legalese for "internationally sanctioned whaling." It is basically a loophole in the anti-whaling treaty.

Maybe they are doing research.

Some people believe that shark fins can stop or slow some cancers. In China it is popular. In some nations they banned it. Just because its not used as research in one nation does not mean another nation has alternative uses.

The only research they are doing is new recipes for the meat. :D

Nah, even though I'm sure they do some scientific research, the term "research" is just legalese for "internationally sanctioned whaling." It is basically a loophole in the anti-whaling treaty.

I Agree, you don't have to kill that many whales in the name of science. There has to be another agenda and we all know what that is.

With that said, I don't know how many of you have ever gone on a whale watching cruise but they really are a magnificant species.

If any of you are ever up this way this summer, I recommend you catch one of them that goes out of Gloucester Harbor. About 25-30 miles off it's coast is one of the prime whale watching areas in the world. I went for the first time last year and found it to be a breath taking experience as these mamoth creatures come up right along the side the boat. Although I don't agree with the tactics used by the Sea Shepard crew, I do have sympathy for the whales and believe this planet would be at a great loss without them.

I Agree, you don't have to kill that many whales in the name of science. There has to be another agenda and we all know what that is.

With that said, I don't know how many of you have ever gone on a whale watching cruise but they really are a magnificant species.

If any of you are ever up this way this summer, I recommend you catch one of them that goes out of Gloucester Harbor. About 25-30 miles off it's coast is one of the prime whale watching areas in the world. I went for the first time last year and found it to be a breath taking experience as these mamoth creatures come up right along the side the boat. Although I don't agree with the tactics used by the Sea Shepard crew, I do have sympathy for the whales and believe this planet would be at a great loss without them.

Yeah, I agree. I seem to remember reading that no one whaled the minsk whales until the other species became endangered. It seems to me that without strict control we'll just fish and whale until the oceans are barren. It is the old public goods problem. So all things being equal I'd just as soon outlaw whaling for the time being.

That being said, I can't agree with the Sea Sheppards. I think they set back the environmental movement for years.

Yeah, I agree. I seem to remember reading that no one whaled the minsk whales until the other species became endangered. It seems to me that without strict control we'll just fish and whale until the oceans are barren. It is the old public goods problem. So all things being equal I'd just as soon outlaw whaling for the time being.


Man has little control over his baser impulses, especially where the "right to earn a living" is concerned; that's why there are governments, regulations, and treaties. Unfortunately, the oceans have always been viewed as providing unlimited, inextinguishable bounty. No more.

The giant bluefin tuna, for example, that used to cruise the Atlantic by the millions have been fished almost to extinction - again, primarily to fuel the insatiable appetites of Japanese consumers. Fisherman lie in wait by the choke point at the Straits of Gibraltar to literally "shoot fish in a barrel" as these huge animals go to their breeding grounds in the Mediterranean. Hundreds of millions of sharks are killed every year, many just for their dorsal fins - the mutilated corpses are thrown back. It's just greed, pure and simple, and the eventual result is mass extinction of numerous species, upsetting the delicate apple cart of ecological balance, which causes other species to crash, and so on. Few people seem to care as long as they can continue to buy frozen fish sticks. Good thing the massive American appitite has never had a sample of whale meet, eh? They'd all be extinct by now. Hey, I'm guilty too - I've probably eaten a whole tuna's worth of sushi in my lifetime. I love the stuff. :o Dolphins are relatively safe because most people see them as "dogs that live in the sea" (which they really are, actually), and Michael Vick's recent experience shows how much we love our dogs.

It's unfortunate that the misguided tactics of these people will have the effect of causing sympathy with the whalers, where the problem actually lies. We see it right here in this thread. Something tells me that wasn't the intention of the producers when they conceived this series.

Something tells me that wasn't the intention of the producers when they conceived this series.

I don't believe it was either, but as the old saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The sad thing is, is that these "feeling and caring" people never think their actions through to the end. That is the problem when one runs on raw emotion.

Mike

I think the producers got what they were hoping for. If not, they certainly could provide a more favorable edit. The Sea Shepherd, OTOH, is likely not getting the image they thought they'd get.

Then again, they signed for a second season - and no publicity is bad publicity when you are just looking for a handful of donors to keep your organization afloat.

Nah, even though I'm sure they do some scientific research, the term "research" is just legalese for "internationally sanctioned whaling." It is basically a loophole in the anti-whaling treaty.

When I worked at Hardees, my manager told us we weren't allowed to eat any of the waste (over 20 minutes under the heat lamp). She said, "If you're allowed to eat waste there will be more waste to eat."

That bit of wisdom has stuck with me for 25 years and applies to so many different situations - including this one.

When I worked at Hardees, my manager told us we weren't allowed to eat any of the waste (over 20 minutes under the heat lamp). She said, "If you're allowed to eat waste there will be more waste to eat."

That bit of wisdom has stuck with me for 25 years and applies to so many different situations - including this one.

And 'not wasting' the excess during these 'science experiments' are how the Japanese justify it. But I think we all know that this is really more about the whale meat, than it is about scientific study.

It's a shame that this captain comes off as a reckless doooosh, someone who seems to take young impressionable kids, & puts them in harms way, since really deep down, they're on the right side of this issue ...

Imagine if it were Captn. Sig Hansen doing this, in a SAFE ice-rated boat, with a responsible crew, with his brother Edgar, & Phil Harris' sons, tossing those stink bombs @ the dirt-bag Japanese whalers .. That would be entertaining!

And 'not wasting' the excess during these 'science experiments' are how the Japanese justify it. But I think we all know that this is really more about the whale meat, than it is about scientific study.

Yep - that's the point. If they weren't allowed to sell/eat the waste, you'd see the interest in "research" dry up pretty quickly.

It's a shame that this captain comes off as a reckless doooosh, someone who seems to take young impressionable kids, & puts them in harms way, since really deep down, they're on the right side of this issue ...

Imagine if it were Captn. Sig Hansen doing this, in a SAFE ice-rated boat, with a responsible crew, with his brother Edgar, & Phil Harris' sons, tossing those stink bombs @ the dirt-bag Japanese whalers .. That would be entertaining!Well it would be better, but still piracy and assault. No matter who the captain and crew are they are still vigilantes or pirates. I agree that Watson is a total coward/scum bag.

Not that it would make anything better on the ship, but it sure does seem like Watson spends alot of time in his quarters on the computer then he does in the wheel house. Maybe its just editing, I dunno, I see the stooges doing more work then he does. Do you folks consider saving 500 whales a success, or does even one whale dying mean they are failing, I feel they are failing.

Not that it would make anything better on the ship, but it sure does seem like Watson spends alot of time in his quarters on the computer then he does in the wheel house. Maybe its just editing, I dunno, I see the stooges doing more work then he does. Do you folks consider saving 500 whales a success, or does even one whale dying mean they are failing, I feel they are failing.

I'd say they could claim "success" in any year in which they prevent the Japanese fleet from meeting their annual quota.

But that's just PR success. All that would do is raise the price of whale meat for that year.

I'd say they could claim "success" in any year in which they prevent the Japanese fleet from meeting their annual quota.

But that's just PR success. All that would do is raise the price of whale meat for that year.

I don't think that is even a success. The Japanese set their own quota. I bet they set it higher than what they really intend to catch for PR purposes. That way they can say look we only caught half our quota because that is all we needed for the research. It also allows them some wiggle room to catch more if some of their whales ever do get tainted by Sea Sheppard antics.

I have been curious on how they get their information, who tells them how many whales were killed each season.

Here are a couple of funny clips on whaling from an Australian comedy group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vf9TgvFqQw

This second one is missing the intro, in which they said that since Japan whales, they thought they see what the Japan would think of eating animals that are special to them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0axOCcfRho

It's a shame that this captain comes off as a reckless doooosh, someone who seems to take young impressionable kids, & puts them in harms way, since really deep down, they're on the right side of this issue ...

Imagine if it were Captn. Sig Hansen doing this, in a SAFE ice-rated boat, with a responsible crew, with his brother Edgar, & Phil Harris' sons, tossing those stink bombs @ the dirt-bag Japanese whalers .. That would be entertaining!

I would highly enjoy that....Sig is the man.

The only research they are doing is new recipes for the meat. :D

fine with me.

Not much happened this last episode. The white powder evidently was nothing. They had another ship-wide power failure. And they discovered that the Janpanese have a new counter measure which uses 'sound'. At the end, it was unusual that the Japanese were taking a more aggresive stance against the Sea Shepherds.

That quote by the first mate (played endlessly on the promos) that "The Japanese are stepping up their violence on us" is just too funny. Does he mean that throwing acid at a ship full of people ISN'T a violent act?

Do the producers really think they are doing the "save the whales" movement a favor by showing this? It's the equivalent of MADD mounting an anti-drinking campaign by showing a college frat/spring break party and hoping that the kids "get the message" :rolleyes:

And they didn't even show the Japanese using the sound device on the Sea Shepherd crew. THAT would have been worth watching. :)

Do the producers really think they are doing the "save the whales" movement a favor by showing this?

I think the only thing the producers of this show care about, is creating an interesting enough show to get ratings. In fact, I would bet that the show's producers would love to be able to cameras on board the Japanese ships as well.

And they didn't even show the Japanese using the sound device on the Sea Shepherd crew. THAT would have been worth watching. :)

If we don't get some good LRAD shots against the Sea Shepherd crew next week, I'm going to be very disappointed.

Can't imagine the Japanese crew isn't itching to try out their new toy. (Although it looks like they get pretty effective with their water cannons next week. :) )

I think the only thing the producers of this show care about, is creating an interesting enough show to get ratings. In fact, I would bet that the show's producers would love to be able to cameras on board the Japanese ships as well.

They need only make an offer, I suspect. It's only money. The Japanese are good businessmen, as American industry discovered long ago. And no doubt they would love to present "their side" of the issue to an American audience as well.

Last night was a total letdown. It was nothing but edited previews that made us watch. The show was boring. The Dutch telling them they cant throw stuff from the main ship, Hahahahahaha, those little ships are just junk being out there in those rough seas. Every show they say whaling ends today, gimme a break if they sunk the main ship the Japanese would just send another or build one whatever. The powder, what another joke, soon as they see white stuff they start saying Anthrax, WTF, yeah man I was 1 billion % sure it was NOT going to be Anthrax. These people are complete idiots and prove so more and more each week.

It looks like next weeks one will be pretty good. They all seemed to be crying because they just saw them kill a whale. That coupled with the LRAD and them getting hit with from the hoses on the boat should make a good show.

I have to ask this, the area where they go and whale, do any whale watching boats take tourists out there? If the answer is no then whats the big deal them killing a certain amount of whales. If no one ever sees them I don't understand. The people on the boat keep talking about saving the planet etc by stopping whaling, I don't see how whales save the planet. I have been out on boats here in So Cal and we saw whales, granted it was cool and all, but if I never saw one again I highly doubt my life will be ruined. I am not trying to sound like an ass or anything it just seems the place they are trying to stop whaling is kinda empty except for whalers and the activists, if I am wrong then I apologize.

I have to ask this, the area where they go and whale, do any whale watching boats take tourists out there? If the answer is no then whats the big deal them killing a certain amount of whales. If no one ever sees them I don't understand. The people on the boat keep talking about saving the planet etc by stopping whaling, I don't see how whales save the planet. I have been out on boats here in So Cal and we saw whales, granted it was cool and all, but if I never saw one again I highly doubt my life will be ruined. I am not trying to sound like an ass or anything it just seems the place they are trying to stop whaling is kinda empty except for whalers and the activists, if I am wrong then I apologize.

:eek: It's not merely that you're wrong; you don't seem to understand anything about biology or balanced ecosystems, and why they're important to the health of the oceans. These are some of the largest creatures ever to inhabit the earth (near as we can tell, the Blue Whale is the largest), a product of millions of years of evolution, and we probably share a distant ancestor with them as we do with dolphins and all other marine mammals. I've never seen a bald eagle either, but I feel certain we'd all be diminished if our national symbol were to suddenly go extinct because of our own actions. DDT almost made that happen.

That said, they'll probably end up extinct anyway as the oceans become ever more toxic from the activities and waste products of man. I just don't think we need to hurry them along.

:eek: It's not merely that you're wrong; you don't seem to understand anything about biology or balanced ecosystems, and why they're important to the health of the oceans. These are some of the largest creatures ever to inhabit the earth (near as we can tell, the Blue Whale is the largest), a product of millions of years of evolution, and we probably share a distant ancestor with them as we do with dolphins and all other marine mammals. I've never seen a bald eagle either, but I feel certain we'd all be diminished if our national symbol were to suddenly go extinct because of our own actions. DDT almost made that happen.

That said, they'll probably end up extinct anyway as the oceans become ever more toxic from the activities and waste products of man. I just don't think we need to hurry them along.

Once again they are only hunting whales in that area, they have quotas, if they hunted them to being extinct in that area they would kill their own business. I am not talking about killing every whale on the planet.

Once again they are only hunting whales in that area, they have quotas, if they hunted them to being extinct in that area they would kill their own business. I am not talking about killing every whale on the planet.

First, the Japanese hunt whales all over the ocean, wherever they can find 'em. These are large creatures that grow slowly and don't produce big litters of calves (usually only one at a time; not completely sure). Second of all, you don't have to kill every single one of any given species to drive it to extinction. Once their numbers fall below a critical mass, there's not enough genetic diversity to sustain a healthy population and it will crash. Same result.

There's 2 sides here that are not getting well articulated, with all due respect.

-if the whales go or are driven near extinction, this could introduce an imbalance to the ecosystem which could cascade to other species; it's not about how big they are, how beautiful they are, or how long they've been around

-the radicalist nature of the anti-whaler hunters is such that they will protest any whaling, period, even if it was on a species in perfectly innocuous numbers on a completely thriving population; the whale is their hero symbol of the seas, and hunting said whales is none other than an attack upon them (in their perception)

It looks like next weeks one will be pretty good. You think ? Or will it be the same as pretty much every damn episode this season, all hype about what's going to happen in the "next episode" and it turns out to be a whole bunch of nothing ! Even my 10 year old son is losing patience...

You think ? Or will it be the same as pretty much every damn episode this season, all hype about what's going to happen in the "next episode" and it turns out to be a whole bunch of nothing ! Even my 10 year old son is losing patience...

You couldnt be more correct. Its just ridiculous. There are entire episodes of NOTHING. What a waste of my time this week was. :rolleyes:

First, the Japanese hunt whales all over the ocean, wherever they can find 'em. These are large creatures that grow slowly and don't produce big litters of calves (usually only one at a time; not completely sure). Second of all, you don't have to kill every single one of any given species to drive it to extinction. Once their numbers fall below a critical mass, there's not enough genetic diversity to sustain a healthy population and it will crash. Same result.

They are hunting their legal quota. If that is too much then change the quota. Whats next? turkeys? Pigs? Beef? :rolleyes:

They are hunting their legal quota. If that is too much then change the quota. Whats next? turkeys? Pigs? Beef? :rolleyes:

Do you honestly think turkeys, pigs, and "beef", domestic farm animals specifically engineered for our consumption, are endangered and at any risk of extinction? (Although we did come close with the buffalo killing frenzy back in the 19th century.) And furthermore, do you honestly think the Japanese have any interest in responding to international pressure on their quota system, if indeed such pressure could be applied?

And furthermore, do you honestly think the Japanese have any interest in responding to international pressure on their quota system, if indeed such pressure could be applied?

Sure they would. They are members of the IWC and have abided by their findings in the past.

From the IWC:
St. Kitts and Nevis Declaration 58th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission
June, 2006 (http://www.whaling.jp/english/history.html#08)

UNDERSTANDING that the purpose of the 1946 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) is to “provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry�E(quoted from the Preamble to the Convention) and that the International Whaling Commission (IWC) is therefore about managing whaling to ensure whale stocks are not over-harvested rather than protecting all whales irrespective of their abundance;

NOTING that in 1982 the IWC adopted a moratorium on commercial whaling (paragraph 10 e of the Schedule to the ICRW) without advice from the Commission’s Scientific Committee that such measure was required for conservation purposes;

FURTHER NOTING that the moratorium which was clearly intended as a temporary measure is no longer necessary, that the Commission adopted a robust and risk-averse procedure (RMP) for calculating quotas for abundant stocks of baleen whales in 1994 and that the IWC’s own Scientific Committee has agreed that many species and stocks of whales are abundant and sustainable whaling is possible;

CONCERNED that after 14 years of discussion and negotiation, the IWC has failed to complete and implement a management regime to regulate commercial whaling.

ACCEPTING that scientific research has shown that whales consume huge quantities of fish making the issue a matter of food security for coastal nations and requiring that the issue of management of whale stocks must be considered in a broader context of ecosystem management since eco-system management has now become an international standard.

REJECTING as unacceptable that a number of international NGOs with self-interest campaigns should use threats in an attempt to direct government policy on matters of sovereign rights related to the use of resources for food security and national development;

NOTING that the position of some members that are opposed to the resumption of commercial whaling on a sustainable basis irrespective of the status of whale stocks is contrary to the object and purpose of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling;

UNDERSTANDING that the IWC can be saved from collapse only by implementing conservation and management measures which will allow controlled and sustainable whaling which would not mean a return to historic over-harvesting and that continuing failure to do so serves neither the interests of whale conservation nor management;

Sure they would. They are members of the IWC and have abided by their findings in the past.


Ah, notsofast yankee fly-boy. One might reasonably surmise that that those inscrutable Japanese have, in reality, two whale harvesting operations - one which is properly implemented and reported as per international conventions, and one which... isn't. The oceans are awfully large places and enforcement as a practical matter is practically nonexistent. It's certainly possible.

Ah, notsofast yankee fly-boy. One might reasonably surmise that that those inscrutable Japanese have, in reality, two whale harvesting operations - one which is properly implemented and reported as per international conventions, and one which... isn't. The oceans are awfully large places and enforcement as a practical matter is practically nonexistent. It's certainly possible.

Surmise all you want, but the Sea Shepherd should use the donations they receive from like-minded, feeble-minded, people to substantiate that claim.

But that isn't something they surmise anyway. The Sea Shepherd has openly stated that they object to all whaling - even within the established quota. They aren't limiting their attacks to some hypothetical black market whale hunting ring.

The captain of the Sea Shepherd will continue his campaign as long as he can use it to fund his own livelihood and retirement. That's why he's targeting the Japanese instead of the Norwegians (who have an even larger quota of Minke whales) - because it is easier to vilify the more unfamiliar culture, and doesn't alienate his European donors.

Ouch!...now there's an interesting tidbit!

Im still rooting for the japanese to sink the sea sheppard. They are terrorists taking their idea of the law and morality into their own hands just as Bin Laden does.

Im still rooting for the japanese to sink the sea sheppard. They are terrorists taking their idea of the law and morality into their own hands just as Bin Laden does.

Wow, that's a little extreme. There's no point in wasting a perfectly good ship. :)

I love it how the new 2nd mate or whatever said he is more concerned with safety on the ship. He does know what he got himself into right?

I love it how the new 2nd mate or whatever said he is more concerned with safety on the ship. He does know what he got himself into right?

They've been lulled into complacency by the tremendous amount of Japanese restraint up to this point. When the Japanese crews finally take measures to protect themselves and respond with force, the SS crew is going to realize what is so blatantly obvious to the rest of us.

Im still rooting for the japanese to sink the sea sheppard. They are terrorists taking their idea of the law and morality into their own hands just as Bin Laden does.

First off, it's the 'Steve Irwin', not the Sea Shepherd. Second, although I'm pretty neutral when it comes to the subject of whaling, I think you can hardley put Paul Watson in the same catagory as Bin Laden. Watson and Sea Shepards don't murder innocent civilians for their cause. They're even careful not to hit any crew members of the Japanese ships with their stink bombs.

I love it how the new 2nd mate or whatever said he is more concerned with safety on the ship. He does know what he got himself into right?

That wasn't his attitude last season. But maybe now that it's his responsiblity, he's not being quite so cavalier when it comes to other people's well being.

Im still rooting for the japanese to sink the sea sheppard. They are terrorists taking their idea of the law and morality into their own hands just as Bin Laden does.

Same I was really excited to learn the Japanese had the LRAD's, cant wait to seem em in action!

Watson and Sea Shepards don't murder innocent civilians for their cause.

Not intentionally, but they are recklessly endangering the Japanese crews who are innocent civilians - and that could certainly lead to deaths that by any rational person's definition would be classified as murder.

Personally, I don't weigh their intentions greater than their clear level of incompetence - certainly not enough to wait and see what the ramifications will be if they are left to carry out their aggressive attacks unchecked. It is time for the Japanese to respond with overwhelming force. They have a responsibility to their crew, other legal seagoing vessels, and even to the Steve Irwin. And more likely than not, the lives they save will probably by Sea Shepherd lives - in spite of their captain.

Tora,Tora,Tora, ROFL, this episode really showed that the entire crew has a total IQ less then my shoe size. Those things to get caught in the propellers, hahahahahaha, they didn't even work now the Japanese have one they can use back. I would LMAO if they use it and actually got it to work on the Steve Irwin. Best episode yet, hope it continues. :D

The Steve Irwin crew sure looked worried on this episode, didn't they ? And more than once...

My son and I laughed out loud as their screw-ups more than once.

Tora,Tora,Tora, ROFL, this episode really showed that the entire crew has a total IQ less then my shoe size. Those things to get caught in the propellers, hahahahahaha, they didn't even work now the Japanese have one they can use back. I would LMAO if they use it and actually got it to work on the Steve Irwin. Best episode yet, hope it continues. :D


I whole heartedly agree. :D The guy Dan couldn't even get right what the captain wanted of him from the beginning.

"OK guys, we got two cool new attack commands. Tora, Tora, Acid and Tora, Tora, Propeller." :rolleyes:

What bumbling morons. Then they get a guy that talks like Marvin the Martian and where do they put him?.... manning the radio on the bridge. Brilliant.

This was the first episode I have ever watched and I didn't realize that Whale Wars was a comedy. Is it bad that I find myself rooting for the Japanese? I mean, I don't have a real stance either way when it comes to whaling but, I hate environmental activist that take the law into there own hands or create there own law. They are no better then terrorist IMO. They are crazy if they truly believe that there beliefs give them the right to attack another ship only to get upset when that ship defends itself with bolts (which was hilarious!).

It might be interesting to see what the Sea Shepherds come up with to counter the Japanese counter measures. They appeared totally impotent in this attack against the Japanese.

And yes, I agree, this was the best episode so far this season.

This was the first episode I have ever watched and I didn't realize that Whale Wars was a comedy. Is it bad that I find myself rooting for the Japanese? I mean, I don't have a real stance either way when it comes to whaling but, I hate environmental activist that take the law into there own hands or create there own law. They are no better then terrorist IMO. They are crazy if they truly believe that there beliefs give them the right to attack another ship only to get upset when that ship defends itself with bolts (which was hilarious!).

I think most here feel about the same as you do. Watching the stupidity of the crew attacking the whalers and just making mistake after mistake is just hilarious. Almost every show someone says something about whaling ends today, and yet every show it DOESN'T. Whaling has been going on so long now common sense tells me they wont ever stop it, cause if they were really effective I think by now they Japanese would of given up.

I like how they were complaining about the whalers throwing "metal" at them (just say bolts please) and saying that they were trying to harm them, but yet, they throw glass bottles with acid in them. The crew said, we arent throwing at people trying to hurt them, but they are....so your not throwing acid where people are standing....??? Go Whalers!

I like how they were complaining about the whalers throwing "metal" at them (just say bolts please) and saying that they were trying to harm them, but yet, they throw glass bottles with acid in them. The crew said, we arent throwing at people trying to hurt them, but they are....so your not throwing acid where people are standing....??? Go Whalers!

Yeah, I was just about to comment on the same hypocritical statements out of these fools. I feel throwing glass bottles containing liquid designed to make the deck of a ship slippery is far more of a hazard at sea then 'brass nuts'. I have zero sympathy for anyone on the Steve Irwin and they do more harm to the whales cause than they help. Hypocrites to the max and now that they have been punched in the eye they don't look so brave and 'willing to risk life or limb' anymore. Eco-warriors??? I think not...more like eco-wimps to me.
And as a helicopter pilot for over 27years I can tell you that pilot is taking big risks flying a machine that has had any damage to the rotor blades no matter how slight. Aerodynamic forces can cause a minor issue to go bad very quickly and in that environment, very ugly. Not my opinion but personal experience. I've spent a good bit of time flying off a ship similar to the SI and the salt conditions, extreme cold can make that minor damage go bad in short order. No thanks.

"OK guys, we got two cool new attack commands. Tora, Tora, Acid and Tora, Tora, Propeller." :rolleyes:

What bumbling morons. Then they get a guy that talks like Marvin the Martian and where do they put him?.... manning the radio on the bridge. Brilliant.

Busting up!, Cpanther. I don't remember if Marvin the Martian crossed my ming when watching the episode, but his voice is sure annoying as hell. I was even making fun of it. I have co-worker that sounds exactly like that guy. This co-worker's voice also reminds me of Yoda for some reason.

I thought the Japanese throwing nuts at these "nuts" was great. Their reaction to the Japanese trying to "harm" was even better. If I were the Japanese I would be throwing a lot more than nuts at them. A couple of well placed bullets through the engines on the zodiacs, and the prop fouler on the SE. Let these eco-terrorist nut jobs set and wait for a tow.

I mean their are trying to sabotage a ship, and they are stunned when the Japanese actually fight back a little.

Well it does make for good TV regardless of how you feel about it!

I kinda root for the Japanese, because the Shepard folks seem kinda out of touch with reality. I hope the Japanese fire that LRAD thingy. I also hoped the rope tangled in the prop. Go figure. I like the fighting. It'd be cool if Adam and Jamie had a boat out there too.

I kinda root for the Japanese, because the Shepard folks seem kinda out of touch with reality. I hope the Japanese fire that LRAD thingy. I also hoped the rope tangled in the prop. Go figure. I like the fighting. It'd be cool if Adam and Jamie had a boat out there too.

Haha, whichever side Adam and Jamie would be on, they'd get bored quickly, because nothing is being blown up. They'd come up with a way to make their own torpedo.

And yeah, I'm getting tired of the whole "Whaling ends today!" battlecry.

Id love for the Japanese to foul the Sea Shepards prop and then who would rescue them? I suppose the Japanese would be the only ones close enough.

Id love for the Japanese to foul the Sea Shepards prop and then who would rescue them? I suppose the Japanese would be the only ones close enough. Hahaha ! I just thought... What if the Japanese did foul their propeller and then "rescue" the Sea Shepard ? I'd make damn sure to catch a few whale while they take the the SS folks back to Australia or NZ !! :D

The prop fouler run must be like trying to play chicken with a train on a railroad. The scale and distances of all involved are just so outside the realm of conventional perception, it must be devilishly difficult to figure when and what is the safe distance to make the final cut across the bow and drop the line so that the line actually crosses the path and not become a hood ornament in the process. Just doing that little part of the mission must take some serious ballz of steel, imo.

I wonder why the Jpn haven't figured out that they, too, could put that buteric acid stuff to work as defense? ;) They got the pressure hoses. All they need is to mix in some of that stuff in the stream, and I imagine that would make the delta craft excursions far more unappealing.

The prop fouler run must be like trying to play chicken with a train on a railroad. The scale and distances of all involved are just so outside the realm of conventional perception, it must be devilishly difficult to figure when and what is the safe distance to make the final cut across the bow and drop the line so that the line actually crosses the path and not become a hood ornament in the process. Just doing that little part of the mission must take some serious ballz of steel, imo.

I wonder why the Jpn haven't figured out that they, too, could put that buteric acid stuff to work as defense? ;) They got the pressure hoses. All they need is to mix in some of that stuff in the stream, and I imagine that would make the delta craft excursions far more unappealing.
Id rather they throw bottles of it on the deck of the sea sheppard.