Anti-whaling boat damaged in collision sinks

2010-01-08 18:17 BJT

 

The high-tech anti-whaling boat damaged in a collision with a Japanese whaler off Antarctica earlier this week, sank Friday. The nose of the powerboat was sheared off Wednesday after a collision with a far larger Japanese vessel.

Observers say the clash is the most serious conflict, in what is an annual confrontation off the frozen continent. The crew of the 'Ady Gil ' say they cleaned up any leaking oil, and the electronics of the vessel, to avoid polluting the ocean, before the boat submerged. The Japanese whaler, Shonan Maru Number 2, suffered no apparent damage. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is sending its second powerboat, the 'Bob Barker', to resume its pursuit of Japanese whalers.

The Australian Environment Ministry says Prime Minister Kevin Rudd hasn't ruled out taking legal action against the whalers.

Editor: Zheng Limin | Source: CCTV.com