New Zealand demands Japan move stricken whaler off Anartica coast

[medeak]

http://www.guerrillanews.com/



By Ray Lilley
Republished from Envirolink Associated Press
New Zealand Demands Japan Prioritize Move of Stricken Whaler from Antarctic Coast
New Zealand demanded Friday that Japan explain why its oil-laden whaling ship has not yet been moved away from the pristine Antarctic coast eight days after being crippled by fire.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter said New Zealand wants the stricken Nisshin Maru urgently moved out of the area to avoid an environmental disaster if the weather deteriorates and the ship founders.

“That ship is still stationary in the water. It has got 343,000 gallons of toxic oil in it and we want it out of there,” Carter said.

Japan appears determined that the 8,000-ton ship will leave the region under its own steam, while New Zealand and conservationists say it should accept offers to help tow it away to ease fears it could spill oil or toxic chemicals near Antarctica’s largest penguin rookery.

“It isn’t posing any threat to the Antarctic environment and the best thing to do for the safety of the crew is to complete … getting the vessel seaworthy,” said Glenn Inwood, spokesman for Japan’s Institute for Cetacean Research.

[DRoseDARs]

1. Institute for Cetacean Research? Whaling ship? Erm, whaaa?????

Oh no no no, we're not out here on our WHALING SHIP hunting whales, we're out here RESEARCHING whales ... on our whaling ship. :eyes:

[medeak]

2. 343,000 gallons of toxic oil in it?

good spot!

[DRoseDARs]

3. Whoever their spokesman is that first announced the ship's problems should have chosen his words...

...more wisely and not called it what it is: A whaling ship. Whaling ships are for hunting whales by definition. Orwellian doublespeak doesn't work if you call things what they are.

[medeak]

4. indeed!

and a big hello from down the road on 1-80!

[Esra Star]

6. You just know that in fifty years the Japanese are going to deny

that they ever did any whaling at all. Just like the "comfort women" myth.
It shows that this country has a particular psychosis that I can't fathom.
I can understand that they are still very upset about the live nuclear
testing during WW2 though.

[bananas]

5. Could tactical nukes be used to clean up oil spills?

If this thing starts leaking, it could be a disaster.
What would happen if Bush ordered a tactical nuclear strike?
What effect would an air burst have on an oil spill?
Would the oil be turned into a huge diamond?
What if a bunker-buster was used, detonated under the spill?
Would it rain diamonds?