Agy Gil vs Shonan Maru 2

It’s that time of year again. That’s right folks it’s time for Whale Wars. First let me state my position on whaling. I don’t really have a problem with Japan killing Minke whales for scientific research (i.e eating). I do however have a problem with them doing it in the Antarctic sanctuary and the loophole which allows them to do so needs to be closed. That would however mean that Garrett and Rudd would have to grow some balls. However this is not about a whaling debate but about the collision between the Ady Gil and MV Shōnan Maru 2 and who is going to lose when this eventually ends up in court.

Let’s look at the Vital stats of these boats. (From Wikipedia)

Ady Gil:


Type: Trimaran
Displacement: 13 ton
Length: 78 ft (24 m)
Beam: 23 ft (7.0 m)
Draught: 4 ft (1.2 m)
Draft: 14 ft (4.3 m)
Propulsion: 2 x 350 kW (540 hp) Cummins MercruiseGearboxes: ZF 305A (single speed)
Speed: 45 knots (83.3 km/h)


Shonan Maru 2


Class and type: Fisheries
Tonnage: 491
Length: 52.3 metres (172 ft)
Beam: 8.6 metres (28.2 ft)
Draft: 3.4 metres (11.2 ft)
Decks: 80 square metres
Propulsion: 1 x Diesel 1100BHP
Speed: 12 knots

Now if you haven’t seen the videos than get on youtube and have a look. I find it interesting that the Ady Gil made no attempt to move out of the way. This leads me to believe that Captain Paul Watson (not really a captain by the way) may have sacrificed this boat in the name of publicity. I’ll keep my opinions of this moron out of this though.

One of the videos would have you believe that the Shonan Maru 2 turned suddenly to hit the Ady Gil. Um a 500 ton boat does not turn suddenly. This appears so due to the fact that the boat taking the film was moving and it’s viewing angle changed.

Both side blames the other off course but at the end of the day the very fast and nimble Ady Gil could have got out of the way if it wanted to. The Video from Shonan Naru shows Ady Gil moving in front of the Japanese ship, not idling as the activist would have you believe

My opinion is this. If you put your little 13 ton carbon fiber boat directly in front of a near 500 ton fishing boat which could not have stopped even if it was so inclined (which it wasn’t) than don’t whine when you get run the fuck over.

Even if you were sitting there doing nothing then it is probably wise to move when you see and hear a big boat heading straight for you. Case dismissed.

One more thing. I can’t condone the Japanese not helping after the collision. That’s naughty.

Goodbye.