Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10CANBERRA14
2010-01-06 07:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
CORRECTED COPY -- JAPANESE WHALING SHIP COLLIDES
how-toVZCZCXRO1416 OO RUEHPT DE RUEHBY #0014 0060740 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 060740Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2490 INFO RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3789 RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6882 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 5146 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 5153 RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEAHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000014
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/OA BALTON, PHELPS, COMMERCE FOR NOAA MEDINA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2020
TAGS: EFIS SENV EWWT AS
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY -- JAPANESE WHALING SHIP COLLIDES
WITH, SINKS SEA SHEPHERD BOAT
REF: 09 CANBERRA 1099
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4(b
)(d).
CORRECTED COPY -- ADDED CORRECT CAPTION
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000014
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/OA BALTON, PHELPS, COMMERCE FOR NOAA MEDINA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2020
TAGS: EFIS SENV EWWT AS
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY -- JAPANESE WHALING SHIP COLLIDES
WITH, SINKS SEA SHEPHERD BOAT
REF: 09 CANBERRA 1099
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4(b
)(d).
CORRECTED COPY -- ADDED CORRECT CAPTION
1. (SBU) A Japanese whaling vessel collided with and sank a
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) vessel, the Ady Gil,
on January 6. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and
the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed
media reports that the Gil, a 79-foot New Zealand-flagged
vessel, sank following a collision with a Japanese vessel
(reportedly the Shonan Maru) with six persons aboard. No one
was injured and no AMCITS were involved. All six were
transferred to the Bob Barker, another SSCS vessel. The
sinking took place 1300 nm south of Tasmania in Australia's
search and rescue zone (location 64 degrees, 03 minutes
South; 143 degrees, 10 minutes East). No SAR response by
Australia was required. No official statement has been
issued as of close of business local time, but we expect the
GOA to respond either tonight or early tomorrow. Although a
formal investigation will be the responsibility of the flag
state, New Zealand, AMSA told us they will assist GONZ
authorities as needed in any investigation.
2. (C/NF) This sinking, a major escalation of the
confrontation over whaling in the Southern Ocean, will be the
major media item over the next few days. It will increase
public and opposition pressure on the government to more
actively confront Japan, monitor whaling and protest
operations in the Australian search and rescue zone, and to
investigate the actions of both Japan and the SSCS. It
contravenes Australia's calls for maximum consideration of
safety in these activities and, if Japan is at fault, will
further chill Australia's diplomatic engagement on whaling.
3. (U) Post will report any additional steps or statements by
Australia as they develop.
CLUNE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/OA BALTON, PHELPS, COMMERCE FOR NOAA MEDINA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2020
TAGS: EFIS SENV EWWT AS
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY -- JAPANESE WHALING SHIP COLLIDES
WITH, SINKS SEA SHEPHERD BOAT
REF: 09 CANBERRA 1099
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4(b
)(d).
CORRECTED COPY -- ADDED CORRECT CAPTION
1. (SBU) A Japanese whaling vessel collided with and sank a
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) vessel, the Ady Gil,
on January 6. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and
the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed
media reports that the Gil, a 79-foot New Zealand-flagged
vessel, sank following a collision with a Japanese vessel
(reportedly the Shonan Maru) with six persons aboard. No one
was injured and no AMCITS were involved. All six were
transferred to the Bob Barker, another SSCS vessel. The
sinking took place 1300 nm south of Tasmania in Australia's
search and rescue zone (location 64 degrees, 03 minutes
South; 143 degrees, 10 minutes East). No SAR response by
Australia was required. No official statement has been
issued as of close of business local time, but we expect the
GOA to respond either tonight or early tomorrow. Although a
formal investigation will be the responsibility of the flag
state, New Zealand, AMSA told us they will assist GONZ
authorities as needed in any investigation.
2. (C/NF) This sinking, a major escalation of the
confrontation over whaling in the Southern Ocean, will be the
major media item over the next few days. It will increase
public and opposition pressure on the government to more
actively confront Japan, monitor whaling and protest
operations in the Australian search and rescue zone, and to
investigate the actions of both Japan and the SSCS. It
contravenes Australia's calls for maximum consideration of
safety in these activities and, if Japan is at fault, will
further chill Australia's diplomatic engagement on whaling.
3. (U) Post will report any additional steps or statements by
Australia as they develop.
CLUNE