Sea Shepherd News

Sea Shepherd Makes History with Gojira

First Vessel with Australian Registry is Complete

click
to enlargeThe mayor of Fremantle, Western
Australia, officially christened Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s
newly acquired, fast interceptor vessel Gojira, during a
ceremony in Fremantle’s fishing boat harbor earlier this week. Mayor
Brad Pettitt presented Fremantle’s flag and an engraved plaque with
the city’s coat of arms to Captain Locky MacLean for Gojira’s
maiden voyage to defend the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

Gojira Captain Locky MacLean expressed, “Fremantle has
once again proven to be one of the strongest support bases for Sea
Shepherd. From the onshore volunteers, to the local businesses and
people of Fremantle, we would not have been able to be leave on time
without their support.”

Perhaps the real ceremony highlight was the unveiling of
Gojira’s registration with the homeport of Fremantle. The
significance here is for the first time in Sea Shepherd’s 33 years
of operation, they will have an Australian-registered vessel, with
Australian crewmembers, defending Australia’s territory, and
upholding the Australian Federal Court ruling.

“Having Fremantle as a homeport for Gojira, and flying the
Australian flag, optimizes Australia as the most passionate defender
of whales in the world,” said Sea Shepherd’s Australian Director
Jeff Hansen.

click
to enlargeGojira is currently en route to
Hobart, Tasmania to join the rest of Sea Shepherd’s fleet with a
mission to defend the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. On December 2,
Captain Paul Watson and his international crew will embark upon
their annual journey aboard three ships Steve Irwin, Bob Barker,
and Gojira, on a mission to enforce international
conservation law and prevent the illegal slaughter of endangered
whales.

Sea Shepherd sends a special mention of great appreciation for
onshore support to the following individuals and businesses:  Hayley
Radford, Olly Klokhag Rowlett, Liza and Mike Dicks, Brendon Clark
and all the team from Clark Australia Group, Macca and all the team
at BME Engineering, John and the team from Nail Ale Brewery, Peter
Wales and all the team from Kailis Marine, all the team from Eye
In The Sky Magazine, and the Perth Chapter of Sea Shepherd -
thank you!

Sea Shepherd would also like to extend a big thank you to
Fremantle’s mayor Brad Pettitt who showed his support in
representing Australia’s wishes in having the compassion and
conviction to stand up to the illegal whalers.

Mayor Brad Pettitt and SSCS Australian Director Jeff Hansen on Gojira’s bridge

Kevin McGinty, Georgie Dicks, Mayor Brad Pettitt, Jeff Hansen and Locky MacLean onboard the Gojira

Mayor Brad Pettitt presents plaque to Jeff Hansen

Mayor Brad Pettitt, Captain Locky MacLean and Jeff Hansen proudly display the Australian flag

Sea Shepherd and Australian flags with Eye in the Sky Magazine’s chopper

Captain Locky MacLean, Mayor Pettitt and Jeff Hansen onboard Gojira’s during sea trial

Operation No Compromise