Japan's Antarctic Research Programme, legally authorized by Article VIII of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, has been continually subject to harassment and obstruction by Greenpeace.

On December 21, 1999, while harassing the Japanese whale research operations in the Antarctic, the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise rammed the stern section of the Nisshin Maru, in callus disregard of the life or safety of the scientists and seamen aboard. Greenpeace, recently refused classification as a charity by the Canadian government because it does not operate in the public interest, again demonstrated that it will stop at nothing to create the publicity it needs to support incessant fund-raising campaigns that bring in over $100 million a year.

Although Greenpeace claims to be a peaceful, non-violent organization, its actions belie its words. This is the second time a Greenpeace vessel has rammed a Japanese research vessel in the Antarctic. This time, it tried to make it appear that the ramming was done by the Japanese vessel and published the following cover-up "communiquﾈ" on its web-site.

"14:20 - The Nisshin-maru has rammed the M/V Arctic Sunrise. Sunrise captain Arne Sorensen confirmed that the Nisshin-maru rammed the Greenpeace ship while the Nisshin-maru was making an illegal overtaking maneouvre (SIC). It hit the Sunrise on the portside near the bow."

However, as can be seen in the photos, the Japanese vessel was damaged near its stern on the starboard side. If it had rammed the Greenpeace vessel while overtaking it from behind, damage would be at or near the bow, while the M/V Arctic Sunrise would most likely have suffered damage at the stern or amidships. The damage pattern on the Nisshin Maru shows conclusively that it was caused by a vessel striking it from behind.

Greenpeace freely uses lies, distortions and half-truths in support of its fund raising goals. And nowhere are these tools more evident than in their anti-whaling campaigns. They create fears of extinction where no threats exist. They untruthfully label Japan's Antarctic whale research program illegal when they know that the program is perfectly legal in terms of the international whaling convention, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and all other international legal compacts.

On December 20, 1999, Greenpeace commenced its latest effort to harass, obstruct and interfere with Japan's whale research program in the Antarctic. The Institute of Cetacean Research, in an effort to persuade Greenpeace to stop their vicious slander and extremely hazardous and life-threatening assaults on the Japanese research vessels, engaged in the following exchange of letters with Greenpeace Executive Director Thilo Bode . . . .

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Collision Damage Photos

The starboard stern shell of the Nisshin Maru Plates and paint were pushed
after it was rammed by the Arctic Sunrise. forward by the ramming, showing it was hit by a vessel coming up from behind.