Meet the Pirates of Whale Wars

One of the first things we learned about the Steve Irwin is that Sea Shepherd's ships are all vegan, "So even if you aren't vegan yourself all the time, you are when you are on board," our guide explained. Like most of the crew visible throughout our tour, she was young, and exuded passion and commitment. Hailing from Australia, she said she had a 4-year-old daughter at home.

Our guide explained that the ship had been originally built in the 1970s in Scotland for fisheries management, but now served as a platform for direct action on behalf of whales, dolphins and other marine life. She said although the mood was relaxed and playful in the safe harbor of New York, things can get really intense, and dangerous, when they are "on campaign," facing off against those they believe are poaching the seas in violation of international law (which is often not enforced).

In close quarters with whalers, and to rescue injured animals, Sea Shepherd often relies on small, quick craft.

Our guide said the helicopter on board the Steve Irwin can be launched with a half hour's notice. The small craft is used for reconnaissance, rescue missions and filming.

A view of the bridge on the Steve Irwin. The captain's chair is at left. The tubes beside that, for communicating with the engineers, are no longer needed in today's wired world. Now hear this!

Sea Shepherd crew combine technology with traditional maritime, and pirate, tactics.

Crew told the story of New Zealander Pete Bethune, a member of Sea Shepherd who had been captain of the Ady Gil, the high-tech boat that was recently rammed, and destroyed, by Japanese whalers. The whalers refused to honor the sinking Ady Gil's distress call, in violation of international law. Although no government is pressing charges against them, the Japanese arrested Bethune for subsequently boarding their ship and serving them with an arrest and a bill for the damage. He faces steep charges, which Sea Shepherd claims are trumped up. Incidentally, Japan has issued an arrest warrant to their Coast Guard for Paul Watson as well.

The comm center is just aft of the bridge.

A water cannon remains from the previous service of the boat in fisheries protection. If you've seen Whale Wars, you know that battles with whalers can involve water cannon pissing contests, as well as blocking, ramming, flash grenades and attempts by activists to cut whales free, or as a last resort pour acid on the carcasses to make them less sellable. Sea Shepherd is quick to point out that in more than 30 years on the high seas, there have been no known incidents of human injuries as a result of their actions.

Watson said that his organization is sometimes criticized for having "inexperienced crew." "But I say I prefer their passion," he said. "Shackelton had been told the same thing, but he answered that he didn't want professionals, he wanted people who could get him to the South Pole and back."

Sea Shepherd ships have rammed and sunk vessels they believe violate international fisheries laws, although they claim no human injuries have resulted. At the gala in New York, Watson told the crowd he didn't mind that some people called him a "terrorist." "We represent the whales, tuna and other creatures of the sea," he said. "If people support us, fine. If people disagree, then tough."

Looks like WWII. Is that Whale Wars II?

Paul Watson adopted the pirate persona years ago, to intimidate whalers and capture the imagination of the public. E Magazine founder Doug Moss remembers Watson even donning a patch at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio.

This was the first time Sea Shepherd had brought one of their ships into New York, but they seemed to receive a hearty welcome from members of the public who support their daring tactics.

Sea Shepherd volunteers need not all serve on ships; there are many opportunities for landlubbers to get involved as well, such as by educating the public or advocating in other ways. If you're interested check out Sea Shepherd's Website.

At the eclectic artist space Collective Hardware in downtown NYC, Sea Shepherd threw a fundraising gala. Various memorabilia was auctioned off, including a flag from a campaign.

"The domestic cat eats more tuna than seals do," boomed out Paul Watson, as guests sipped on their "Blue Rage" cocktails to signify Sea Shepherd's newest campaign. "The bluefin tuna is the equivalent of the cheetah of the sea: it is the fastest animal." Watson accused fishers of "wanting the bluefin tuna to go extinct," so they could charge "a million dollars" per fish for all those he said they are storing in warehouses, up from the $100,000 they each fetch today in Tokyo markets.

Watson said the seas are being destroyed, and that he recently saw fish offered, at considerable price, in a Parisian market that no one would consider eating in recent memory. "A few years ago I predicting that people would start eating jellyfish, and then in Vancouver recently I saw people being served jellyfish salad," he explained.

Yummy snacks were provided by Vegan Treats of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Watson said his group's upcoming mission in the Mediterranean will be hazardous, since it is opposed by heads of state there, as well as the mafia, who he accused of participating in illegal fishing of bluefin tuna. "We intimidate but we don't hurt," said Watson. "We anticipate interesting run-ins."