# Japanese whale whores **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 7, 2010, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021 "2010-01-07T12:27:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/101 "2010-01-08T15:54:17Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > You can just reinforce the hull with whatever wood you have lying the ship when traveling through ice. At least that’s what they did for one episode. Therefore, it must work. And they did some serious damage to the hull at that time. ---
**Author:** ![Stoneburg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/102 "2010-01-08T15:59:50Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > We’re talking about an organization that scuttles whalers, rams other vessels, throws bottles full of chemicals at other ships, and has boarded whaling ships in the past. Otherwise known as ‘heroes’. And yes, I go through a sex change just to be able to have their children, if we had that technology. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/103 "2010-01-08T16:00:14Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > The Shonan Maru 2 is owned by Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha Ltd of Tokyo. It is Japanese flagged. It is listed in my source as a “whale catcher”. I can’t find anything else on public records. > > I doubt it has any particular capacities. All it seems to be doing is close quarters manouevres and aiming its fire hoses. No doubt they would say in self defence. They have always had ‘spotter’ ships which are lighter more maneuverable ships that go out and find the whales send the coordinates back to the harpoon ships who come and get the whales and then bring them back to the Nisshin Maru for processing. That ship looked a lot like the spotter ships they have always had. Does anyone have any evidence that this is some new ‘security’ vessel they bought to use against the Sea Shepherds? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/104 "2010-01-08T16:03:13Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > Actually, the security ship is probably trying to aim its water cannon. From what I’ve read here they are stationary and the only way to aim them is to maneuver the ship. Look at it from that point of view and you’d see why the bigger ship was going back and forth like it was. IMHO, of course. No, they are not fixed and stationary. They aim them all the time. The only way it would’ve been fixed and stationary is if it was unmanned at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/105 "2010-01-08T16:14:02Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Does anyone have any evidence that this is some new ‘security’ vessel they bought to use against the Sea Shepherds? Well, most reports refer to it as a “security ship”. I doubt it is something new but its purpose seems to be spotting the Sea Shepherd bunch and not whales in order to help the whaling fleet avoid the Sea Shepherds. If their purpose was to find whales why do they have sonic “weapons” on board to dissuade humans (which can be heard in the first video linked in the OP)? FWIW: > [@](#): > > The Australian government called for restraint by all parties after the hardline Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said its futuristic powerboat Ady Gil was cut in half by the Japanese security ship Shonan Maru No. 2. > > [http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE60509820100106](http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE60509820100106) > > * * * > > Watson’s protest ship, the Steve Irwin, had been trailed by the whalers’ security ship, Shonan Maru No. 2, ever since it left Australian waters in early December, its location having been pinpointed by a Japanese spy flight out of Albany. Watson could get nowhere near the fleet while the Shonan was around. > > [Whale war whips up a perfect storm](http://www.theage.com.au/national/whale-war-whips-up-a-perfect-storm-20100108-lyyr.html) > > * * * > > The Federal Government has ordered an investigation into the clash between a Japanese whaling security ship and a Sea Shepherd vessel in the Southern Ocean yesterday. > > [ABC News - Trusted Source of Latest News & Headlines](http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/07/2787453.htm) > > * * * > > The futuristic trimaran, which held the round-the-world record, had several metres (yards) of its front end sheared off in the collision with a Japanese security vessel on Wednesday. > > [http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hSrI1-fqtDRNkZhe19Z2qt09OIHQ](http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hSrI1-fqtDRNkZhe19Z2qt09OIHQ) Misnomer? No idea but you will find it called that over and over so going with that. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/106 "2010-01-08T16:15:18Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Well, most reports refer to it as a “security ship”. I doubt it is something new but its purpose seems to be spotting the Sea Shepherd bunch and not whales in order to help the whaling fleet avoid the Sea Shepherds. If their purpose was to find whales why do they have sonic “weapons” on board to dissuade humans (which can be heard in the first video linked in the OP)? They have sonic weapons aboard every ship. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/107 "2010-01-08T16:19:59Z")
I’m just wondering if it’s a new addition to the fleet. That’s all. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/108 "2010-01-08T16:21:21Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > And they did some serious damage to the hull at that time. IIRC at least one of their boats they bought has an ice capable hull (or whatever you call it). ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/109 "2010-01-08T16:35:50Z")
> [@Noel\_Prosequi](#): > > Does anyone know the origin of the “security” vessel? Not even the ships near Somalia or Malacca hire security vessels (other than regular navies) AFAIK. It’s not as though the world’s shipping lanes have a regular market for private nautical bouncers. > > So where did it come from? What special “security” capacities does it have, if any? Who crews it? Ex military types? What is their brief? In a previous season, the whalers had a decommissioned factory ship with a huge radar mast installed chasing the SS around. I thought it was just brilliant and wonder why they discontinued the practice. I imagine that any “security” ship is just an idle whaling ship who harasses the SS a bit with no special crew nor equipment. As for their existence, cargo ships near Somalia have a chance of being attacked. The whaling fleet has absolute certainty it will happen. > [@levdrakon](#): > > Sorry, but if a bunch of bicyclists are riding around you and your semi truck and you decide to play demolition derby with the bicyclists, you’re attempting murder. Pure and simple. > > Stink bombs and gumming up your rudder is vandalism and harrassment - which they cop to quite happily. Destroying an occupied boat - IN THE ANTARCTIC OCEAN - is attempted murder. Very true, but at some point popular opinion becomes open to the “not touching” defense. If the cyclists have a reputation for always doing this and the semi is just staying the course (maybe suddenly changing lanes because there was a stone on the road). Well, who are we to judge and all that. Doesn’t make it right, or less murder but there you go. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/110 "2010-01-08T16:40:19Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > IIRC at least one of their boats they bought has an ice capable hull (or whatever you call it). Maybe the Bob Barker has an ice-rated hull. The Steve Irwin does not. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/111 "2010-01-08T16:44:27Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > They have sonic weapons aboard every ship. [Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_range_acoustic_device). > [@](#): > > At maximum level, it can emit a warning tone that is 146 dBSPL (1,000 W/m2) at 1 metre, a level that is capable of permanently damaging hearing, and higher than the normal human threshold of pain (120–140 dB). The maximum usable design range extends to 300 metres. At 300 metres, the warning tone (measured) is less than 90 dB. The warning tone is a high-pitched shrill tone similar to that of a smoke detector. > [@](#): > > Carl Gruenler, former vice president of military and government operations for American Technology Corporation (and who now runs a company making a competing device), says that being within 90 metres (98 yd) of the device is extremely painful, but its use should be limited to 270 metres (300 yd) to be effectively used. He concedes that the device is powerful enough to cause permanent auditory damage, but that it is only meant to be used for a few seconds at a time. > [@](#): > > In February 2009, the Japanese whaling fleet operating in Antarctic waters near Australia installed LRADs on their vessels. The devices were later used to deter activists of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society after they attacked the factory ship of the Japanese whaling fleet by throwing bottles filled with butyric acid.[10] In December 2009, the Japanese fleet then escalated the use of LRAD, deploying it against a helicopter. A fucking helicopter??? [Butyric Acid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butyric_acid). > [@](#): > > Butyric acid is found in rancid butter, parmesan cheese, vomit, and body odor and has an unpleasant smell and acrid taste, with a sweetish aftertaste (similar to ether). > [@](#): > > Butyric acid is used in the preparation of various butanoate esters. Low-molecular-weight esters of butyric acid, such as methyl butanoate, have mostly pleasant aromas or tastes. As a consequence, they find use as food and perfume additives. Ooh, scary stuff. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/112 "2010-01-08T16:48:00Z")
Heh, I think people in this thread should watch the two seasons of Whale Wars that have been on already to see the escalation of this. There have been MANY MANY collisions to date. The Sea Shepherds continually put themselves in positions to cause collisions and the Japanese Whalers escalate it to actual violence. Anywhere from throwing metal bolts at people, to using the LRAD on the helicopter. They stop short of lethal tactics, but they don’t seem to mind the idea that they actually hurt someone. I bet the Whalers are celebrating that they dealt a blow worth over $ 1m to the Sea Shepherds who do not have the cash to absorb it. **Whack-a-mole** The way I see it, it was the rifter pilot’s fault, he should’ve been watching his transversal. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/113 "2010-01-08T16:49:49Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Maybe the Bob Barker has an ice-rated hull. The Steve Irwin does not. Looked it up. It is the R/V Farley Mowat: > [@](#): > > In August 1996, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society purchased a new long-range, ice-class, heavy-duty, conservation enforcement ship in Edinburgh, Scotland. > > Originally christened Sea Shepherd III, she was re-named Ocean Warrior in 1999 to reflect the missions and campaigns that face her in the new millennium. > > She is definitely up to withstanding the ice floes of the Labrador coast, the harsh unpredictable waters of Antarctica and challenging any pirate whaler on the high seas. > > SOURCE: [http://www.seashepherd.org/who-we-are/the-fleet.html](http://www.seashepherd.org/who-we-are/the-fleet.html) ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/114 "2010-01-08T16:50:54Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Looked it up. It is the R/V Farley Mowat: How positively ridiculous that they don’t use this one for Whale Wars. Watson makes poor tactical choices again and again. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/115 "2010-01-08T16:54:57Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > **Whack-a-mole** The way I see it, it was the rifter pilot’s fault, he should’ve been watching his transversal. lol…I posted the following on EVE forums: “The anti-whalers are going in to low sec to pew pew with the whalers (guess they didn’t read the patch notes where bumping mechanics were changed so ramming your inty into an Orca [see what I did there] doesn’t turn out as well as it once did).” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/116 "2010-01-08T17:00:42Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Ooh, scary stuff. :rolleyes: I recall seeing a video looong ago when they were just starting to use Butyric Acid against the whalers. They pelted the whaler with that stuff but their ship was a bit too slow to keep up and the whaler pulled ahead. The Sea Shepherd ship was something like a mile behind the whaler and the crew was laughing at how bad the stink was…remember they were a mile away (albeit following in the stink wake left by the other ship but still). :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/117 "2010-01-08T17:01:44Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > [Butyric Acid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butyric_acid). > Ooh, scary stuff. :rolleyes: Imagine someone dropping a single drop of ink on every page you print at work (or do the conversion for your actual line of work). Nothing scary about a drop of ink, right? Until you lose your job because you never finish anything. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/118 "2010-01-08T17:06:57Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > Imagine someone dropping a single drop of ink on every page you print at work (or do the conversion for your actual line of work). Nothing scary about a drop of ink, right? Until you lose your job because you never finish anything. And if I’m dropping ink all over your work because I don’t like the fact that your “work” is illegal maybe you should get the hint and find new work. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/119 "2010-01-08T17:08:14Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > It is illegal not because the Japanese are hunting whales per se, but because they claim they are doing it as scientific research, whereas that is just a figleaf cover for the fact that they wish to go on hunting whales as a point of pride, but lack the nerve to come out and say so. They are signatories to an agreement not to hunt whales commercially, which they plainly break every year. They’re certainly exploiting a loophole in the agreement and violating it in spirit, but they aren’t actually doing anything illegal (to the extent the word has any meaning here). ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021/120 "2010-01-08T17:18:55Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > [Butyric Acid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butyric_acid). > > Ooh, scary stuff. :rolleyes: IIRC from the show, they’re trying to get the butyric acid onto the whale being processed, since it will ruin the whale meat. Not so much to piss off the crew, though that’s a side benefit as well. Of course, they’re just as incompetent as that as anything else - rather than set up some kind of sling or slingshot, they just throw the bottles. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whale-whores/524021.md?page=7)