Space age ship to thwart Japanese whalers

The high speed Tri-maran will enable Sea Shepherd to thwart Japanese whalers

October 2009. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society  has unveiled their newest ocean defence vessel: the Ady Gil. The vessel, previously known as the Earthrace, is a fast, futuristic looking tri-maran that recently set the world record for global circumnavigation. The vessels renaming reflects the ship's benefactor, Ady Gil, who helped acquire the vessel.

Sea Shepherd is currently preparing for its 6th Whale Defense Campaign - Operation Waltzing Matilda. The campaign will feature Sea Shepherd's flagship, the Steve Irwin, which will be accompanied to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary by the new Ady Gil. Together, the ships and the volunteer crew will intervene in Japanese whaling in Antarctica.

50 knots
Due to its stunning speed capabilities, it can travel as fast as 50 knots, Captain Paul Watson (Sea Shepherd President and Founder) intends to use the Ady Gil to intercept and physically block the harpoon ships from slaughtering whales.

Says Captain Watson, "We're very excited that the Ady Gil will be joining the Steve Irwin in Antarctica this campaign. With these two ships, we will mount the most ambitious and aggressive effort to date to obstruct the slaughter of the whales in the Southern Ocean."

Aim to shut down the whaling operation
Says Chuck Swift, Deputy CEO in charge of ship's operations, "The Ady Gil gives us the speed necessary to catch and stay with the Japanese whaling fleet. We are very optimistic that with these two ships, and some other surprises, we will shut down whaling in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary."

Courtesy of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Sea Shepherd will use the 50 knot 'Ady Gill' to thwart Japanese whalers