News / Danish navy seize Sea Shepherd small boat
A DANISH naval vessel sailed into Lerwick harbour on Friday afternoon to impound the inflatable boat used by the environmental campaign group Sea Shepherd to disrupt the Faroese whale hunt, known as the Grindadráp.
At around 3pm the HDMS Knud Rasmussen entered the harbour and left again 30 minutes later with the small boat Echo on board.
The Echo had been seized from the Dutch-registered Sea Shepherd ship Sam Simon on 1 September by Lerwick police at the request of the Danish authorities, in response to a letter of request issued by the Faroese chief of police on 22August.
The seizure followed the small boat’s involvement in the defense of 61 pilot whales at a grindadráp at Sandavágur on 12 August.
On Thursday police informed Sea Shepherd’s lawyers that the Echo would be held for a week, giving the lawyers time to appeal the seizure.
It was not until Friday that Sea Shepherd was advised that Danish authorities had fast tracked extradition proceedings in an effort to obtain the small boat.
Queens Council representing Sea Shepherd then lodged a “Bill Of Suspension” to block the extradition of the small boat.
At approximately 3.43pm the High Court issued a warrant granting the suspension, however, the small boat was already on board the Rasmussen, en route to Faroe Islands.
No effort was made to retrieve the Echo from the Rasmussen.
Sea Shepherd global chief executive Alex Cornelissen said: “It seems that there is no level that Denmark won’t stoop to in order to continue its support of the pilot whale slaughter in the Faroe Islands.
“However, if the Danish government thinks that by confiscating the Echo they will stop Sea Shepherd, they are very sadly mistaken.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.