In the previously mentioned article they have had their flag state recind their permit on 2 different occassions by 2 different countries. It doesn’t take long for the countries to figure out how much of a liability they are.
What puzzles me is how they keep getting reflagged.
I guess this is the only way Daryl Hannah can get on TV these days???
If I remember from the book, their vessels are flagged in the “Iroquois Nation” or something like that. I’m not kidding. Talk about a runaway-flag! Maybe someone can verify this, or maybe they changed again.
I found the information on their "flag’ from the Sea Shepherd website.
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-070705-1.html
They fly the flag of Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. Are they on the IMO White list?
I’m not a doctor but I’ve seen a lot of people that were sick mostly of heart conditions that had that same drained look as the “Capt of the Steve Irwin” has on his face. Have you ever noticed how his mouth is always gaped open like he can’t get enough air and his eye’s are real droopy like he is chronically fatigued? And he spends most of his time sitting down. I don’t know I mean I know this guy’s not playing with a full deck and some of the decisions he makes just don’t seem rational at all. I think if this show keeps going someone will get killed. Look at the crab fisherman, all they dwell on is someone going overboard, or somehow getting killed, and yet they manage to lose someone every year. The crew of the Steve Irwin sit around watching dvd’s or having costume parties all day and then think that they can stage and assault on another ship. They can’t even remember to stay in communication with the wheel house. These guys are idiots.
just my 2 cents…
I watched another episode last night, where they try to chase down the Fukyu Too Maru or some such. Watching them attempt to launch the RIBs would have been funny if I hadn’t been so worried about someone getting killed. No mates in the boats? No comms? “Oh, it was turned off”. No leadership?! Even an all volunteer, inexperienced crew can be whipped into shape with a proper example set by the officers, these “officers” don’t seem to want to get dirty. It is so ridiculous I just have to record the season finale and watch it when I get home from my next trip.
Change.org is calling for “IMMEDIATE U.S. NAVAL SUPPORT” of Sea Shepard (LINK) dare I ask your thoughts? 
Yeah, because they’ve got nothing better to do?
Haha, those guys are a bunch of idealistic, narrow minded idiots. Why would we incite a war over some whales. Especially if it means defending eco-terrorists/pirates along the way.
Wow, what a bunch of wacko’s at that site!
According to Equasis, the Steve Irwin is flagged in the Netherlands. The US Navy would have no particular particular obligation to provide “support” to the Steve Irwin, actually they probably couldn’t even go on board in international waters without authorization from the Flag government.
Interestingly, the Steve Irwin used to be classed by Lloyd’s, but class was “withdrawn by society for other reasons”.
John wrote:
“Change.org is calling for “IMMEDIATE U.S. NAVAL SUPPORT” of Sea Shepard ([<font color=”#3354aa]LINK</font>](http://www.change.org/ideas/view/whale_wars_needs_immediate_us_naval_support_2)) dare I ask your thoughts? ;)"
Hmm. Well, just who would the Navy support then (legal/flag state ramifications aside). Isn’t one of the primary missions of any navy to keep the seas free for commercial purposes (in so many words)? In my view, they would have to arrest the Sea Shepard folk, then. I find it interesting that no less an expert on international maritime law than Darryl Hannah has stated that the whalers need to learn them. . . . .
From what I have gathered, this “captain” of the Irwin probably can’t (and hasn’t been able to) get a job on a commercial vessel as ANY officer, let alone a deck hand. I think the simple fact that their flag shows the skull and crossbones demonstrates that they have absolutly no understanding of what it is that they are getting into; instead they are just out there playing, and on the donations of niaive contributors. Of course when they are asked to be held accountable for their actions as “pirates” (terrorists) they deny responsibility.
They can bypass a lot of international regulations, including Class, Loadline, safe manning levels, licensing, etc. by registering these vessels as yachts. I just wonder who they are getting insurance coverage from.
My records show that Class was withdrawn from Lloyds in July of 2007. In December of 2007, the Vessel was “in casualty”.
Ahhhh… well John, since you asked…
All the talk of whether the crew is licenesed seems moot based on one reality. The officers are not onboard because they are capable mariners. They are onboard because they obey and enforce the dillusional policies and tactics of Watson. The ship is merely a means to get them to the frontlines.The ordinary crew seem to be the only ones that even consider that any they are doing is foolish.
I actually think the entire show is a great comedy.
I saw a sign somewhere back in the day… God watches out for drunks and sailors.
I wonder if the crew of the Steve Irwin qualifies as sailors in Gods eyes?
Maybe they’re drunks!
Sea Shepard and Greenpeace are competing for the same donation dollars. Their approach is over the top because they need headlines in order to get the nice people in the midwest to send in a check to them rather than the other guys. The risks Watson takes with other peoples lives can not be justified even in the context of saving an endangered species (of which Humpbacks are not). He is a pirate and needs to be treated as such by international courts. Of course that will result in more publicity and in turn more contributions. Animal Planet is doing a huge disservice to professional mariners by putting this garbage on the air and legitimizing a criminal.
I finally got all episodes put on my harddrive by our little academy engineer…stay tuned for my in-depth analysis of the future of maritime seamanship and self inflicted gun shot wounds.
Yours, after viewing all the episodes?
In 1983, while protesting Canadian sealing, Watson and 3 others abandoned 17 crew members and fled across the ice fom the Canadian Coast Guard. They were apprehended and arrested.
In 1986 Sea Shepherd fired line guns and flare guns at Faroe Island police in RHIBS, later they poured fuel in the water and attempted to light it with flare guns. They were arrested.
In 1981, armed with rifles, Watson rammed a Mexican Fishing Vessel.
In 1982 Sea Shepherd fired on a Costa Rican Fishing Vessel.
In 1992 Watson rammed a Norwegian Coast Guard Vessel.
In 1993 Watson fired a cannon at a Japanese Fishing Vessel.
In this latest incident, he was the only one aboard with a flak-jacket.
This man is insane.
I wonder if Animal Planet really knew what they were getting themselves into when they decided to film and air this show. You would think they would check this guy out first. Or, maybe they already knew he was nuts, and just decided to do it anyway. I can say that I have never watched Animal Planet, but do now only because of this stupid show.
I love the big South Park style disclaimer they throw on the screen just prior to the insanity that is each episode.