As the saying goes, there are always two sides to every story. In the latest at-sea confrontation between Japanese whalers and protesters, accusations are flying in both directions.

Bob Barker, a Sea Shepherd Conservation Society vessel, and Japanese whaling ship Yushin Maru 3 collided late Saturday afternoon in Australian waters.

The Sea Shepherd claims Bob Barker was intentionally rammed by the Yushin Maru 3 while the activist vessel blocked the slipway of the Japanese whaling fleet’s factory ship. The Institute of Cetacean Research has a different story, claiming the Yushin Maru 3 was attempting to evade projectiles being launched by Bob Barker when the Sea Shepherd ship smashed against its stern.

According to the Sea Shepherd: “The Bob Barker had been actively blocking the slipway of the Nisshin Maru, the Japanese whaling fleet’s factory ship when the collision occurred. Four harpoon ships, the Yushin Maru 1, 2, and 3 and Shonan Maru 2, were circling and making near passes to the stern and bow of the Sea Shepherd vessel. The Bob Barker did not move from its position. At which point, the Yushin Maru 3 intentionally rammed the Bob Barker, creating a 3-foot long 4-inch deep gash in the mid starboard side of the Sea Shepherd vessel above the waterline.”

According to the Institute of Cetacean Research: “The Togo-registered ship Bob Barker collided today around 1310JST with the Japanese Antarctic research vessel Yushin Maru No. 3. The Bob Barker had suddenly approached the Yushin Maru No. 3 to launch butyric acid-containing bottle projectiles. When the Yushin Maru No. 3 tried to avoid this, the Bob Baker collided against its stern.”

CBS compiled a video capturing multiple collisions from different vantage points. Watch the video and decide for yourself.



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