Three Australian Prisoners Now Detained on a Japanese Whaler in Australian Waters Outbackjack: Shonan Maru #2 Early this morning The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society assisted Forest Rescue Australia in a complex and daring move to board the Shonan Maru #2 in waters off Bunbury, Western Australia Geoffrey Owen Tuxworth (47) of Perth, Simon Peterffy (44) of Bunbury and Glen Pendlebury (27) of Fremantle, all from Forest Rescue came by boat from shore to intercept the Japanese vessel the Shonan Maru #2 which was tailing the Sea Shepherd ship the Steve Irwin 16.2 miles off the coast and 22 miles Northwest of Bunbury, Western Australia. The Shonan Maru's position when boarded was 32 degrees, zero minutes south and 115 degrees, 21 minutes east. They were met by two small boats from the Steve Irwin. The boats approached the Shonan Maru under the cover of darkness and the three negotiated their way past the razor wire and spikes and over the rails to sucessfuly board the Japanese whaling vessel. They came with a message. “Return us to shore in Australia and then remove yourself from our waters.” At the present time, three Australian citizens are being held as prisoners onboard the Japanese vessel the Shonan Maru #2. They are being held in the twenty-four mile contiguous zone of Australia by an invading Japanese vessel containing armed Japanese military personnel. Statement from Forest Rescue We have come from the forests of Australia to defend the whales being slaughtered in Australian territorial waters. We are Australian citizens and we have boarded the Japanese flagged Shonan Maru #2 in Australian territorial waters at a position of (32 degrees zero minutes south and 115 degrees 21 minutes east) We have taken this action of boarding the Shonan Maru #2 to protest the fact that this vessel is part of a whaling fleet that is operating in contempt of the Australian Court and is in Australian waters in defiance of the Australian Federal court ruling and the will of the Australian people. Outbackjack: “We are onboard this ship because our government has failed to uphold its pre-election promise to end whaling in the Southern Ocean,” said Simon Peterffy. Forest Rescue has decided to take action to prevent the Shonan Maru #2 from tailing the Steve Irwin back to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Forest Rescue is making a stand to assist Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in their campaign to end illegal whale poaching in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. We are taking this action to remind the Australian government of their obligation to enforce existing laws pertaining to the prohibition of whaling ships in our waters. We as Forest Rescue are insulted and disappointed in our government for allowing the transit of whale poaching vessels in Australian waters.  PureSilver67: oh .. I hope they are returned safely Japanese or others, should not be whaling in Australian waters. Nicotina2: These people are true heroes Geoffrey Owen Tuxworth (47) of Perth, Simon Peterffy (44) of Bunbury and Glen Pendlebury (27) of Fremantle.  chronology: Hey Jack. Check out some of the Boats the Anti-whaling Guys are using out there on the Deep and Salty. Pretty cool boats to say the least. I was checking out the Specs on one boat and it was full stealth (RADAR evasive) and fast as any Monty Carlo Martini sipper. Outbackjack: Its pretty hardcore what the Sea Shepherd mob have.I would encourage anyone to support this couragous organisation.This has sure raised the profile of Forest Rescue which are currently camped on a blockade in the Warrup forest near Nannup. chronology: Forrest Protesters? Wow, better watch out for the Lumber Jack Lads, they are a rough bunch of Guys. Some Gays went to a Lumber Camp in Canada to demonstrate against Homophobic remarks made by the Lumber Guys on a Radio Station, the Lumber Jacks grabbed the Gays and after a briefe scuffle an Ambulance was called and three Gays were rushed to Hospital where they had to have Pick Axe Handles removed from .... (well you know where). 'Don't f*ck with the Lumber Guys. Outbackjack: I could tell you a few stories about deadheaded rednecks we have encountered over the years.Thick as two planks. dave3974: The action of the japanese towards the environment , the mass harvesting of fish that has devastated the pacific ocean , the slaughter ofv the whales , the driving to extonction of some tuna species ----all proves that the japanese have changed little since the last war . these people are heroes----i hope they have the support of the aussie government |