After refuelling in Melbourne, the Steve Irwin steamed to intercept the slower factory ship Nisshin Maru, which it is now shadowing in an attempt to prevent the landing of whales.
Yesterday, Sea Shepherd has stated, the Irwin's crew lobbed 'over two dozen bottles of rotten butter' aboard the factory ship in an attempt to make life as uncomfortable as possible for its crew.
The butter created a stench which should 'remain for days'. According to one Irwin crew-member, the Irwin later dropped off 'half a mile to starboard', as the subsequent stink was 'too bad to stay any closer'.
Also lobbed on to the Nisshin Maru's decks were 'packets of a slippery chemical' which 'becomes even more slippery with water' and, difficult to wash off the decks, should 'make it very difficult to cut up the whales'.
'I guess we can call this non-violent chemical warfare,' said Captain Paul Watson of the Steve Irwin. 'We only use organic, non-toxic materials designed to harass and obstruct illegal whaling operations.'
A message from the Nisshin Maru, which carries armed guards, stated: 'Stop your destructive actions immediately. If you dare to board this vessel you will be taken into custody and restrained as illegal intruders under Japanese law.'
Capt Watson replied that the Japanese have 'no authority in the Australian Antarctic Territory', and that the Nisshin Maru should cease whaling and 'comply with the Australian Federal Court ruling that prohibits the Japanese whaling fleet from killing whales in the Australian Antarctic Territory waters'.
Sea Shepherd, which is committed to placing its ship between the factory ship and landing whalers if necessary, claims that no whales have been taken since the Steve Irwin resumed operations. It had managed, it said, 'to shut down illegal Japanese whaling operations for over four and a half weeks'.
Related link
Sea Shepherd commits to long-term disruption
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