Latest News Ftiday. The Ady Gil known to us all as Earthrace has now sunk, this vessel was uninsured so here at Dive Planet we are going to do all we can to raise Funds for rebuilding her. Many thanks to Sponsors coming onboard like Pinnacle Watersports donating items for us to Auction. Many thanks to OceanHunter NZ Dive Planet auctions will expand over the Next week Go to our Sea Shepherd Fund Raiser Ady Gil. See Video Key Points on Dive Planet of Japan mowing down Eartheace also known as Ady Gil.
Have Your Say What are your thoughts
Please use this Forum below to post your thoughts about this tragic event.
This forum is not moderated - posts appear with a screen refresh
The stealth boat belonging to anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd, Ady Gil, has reportedly been cut in half by a Japanese security vessel in the Antarctic. Captain Watson told The Age online the $1.5 million high tech vessel's remains were sinking. It's six man crew had been rescued and was uninjured.
He said the Ady Gil was idling in waters near Commonwealth Bay when it was suddenly approached and rammed by the Japanese ship Shonan Maru, which has been detailed to provide security to the fleet. Earlier today the fleet was contacted for the first time by the Ady Gil, and Sea Shepherd's surprise third vessel, the Bob Barker.
Captain Watson, aboard the Steve Irwin, said he was still 500 miles from the scene. "This seriously escalates the whole situation," Captain Watson said of the collision. "According to the Institute of Cetacean Research, the Ady Gil's crew were launching projectiles at the Nisshin Maru, and attempted to entangle its propellers with rope."
The biodiesel-powered trimaran Ady Gil had arrived at the Southern Ocean stand-off between Japanese whalers and activists yesterday, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. It was reported this morning to be about 50 nautical miles away from the whaling fleet. Japan's Fisheries Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu had earlier warned two security ships would be used to protect the whaling fleet, intervening when Sea Shepherd tried to block the transfer of harpooned whales to the factory ship Nisshin Maru.
Captain Watson this morning announced the existence of a secret third ship in the Sea Shepherd flotilla. He said he was confident that with three ships, Sea Shepherd would be able to cause maximum disruption to the whaling, which has been underway for around a month.
The Rudd Government has repeatedly called for caution by both sides in the wilds of the Antarctic.
Earthrace The Boat Links to Earthrace
World's Coolest boat!
Earthrace is a 24m (78ft) tri-hull wavepiercer that has been designed and built specifically to get the record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe. She is an advanced endurance vessel, capable of submarining up to 7m (23ft) underwater as she powers across oceans. One journalist recently reported "Earthrace is like a rally car but for oceans, with her ability to handle rough seas and storm conditions at high speed."
Now you can get a close up view of the helm and the deck here
Horns on Earthrace
There are a many features that stand out on Earthrace. Firstly the distinctive horns. These are actually ducts. Hot air from around the engines is expelled out the top of these, while cool air is sucked through the lower channel and funnelled under the engines. This however is not powered, it runs simply by convection. In big seas (waves over 8m (26ft)) the horns get submerged, however any water ingress is ducted out the sides automatically. Also, because Earthrace is only underwater for a few seconds at a time, the engine bay holds enough air to keep the 1080hp of Cummins Mercruiser engine roaring along.
The Hulls of Earthrace
Another feature about Earthrace is her unusual appearance, especially the extremely narrow hulls and flowing lines. She has this shape to allow her to pass easily through waves, rather than riding over the top like conventional designs.
The Range of Earthrace
The range of Earthrace depends on speed. At 6 knots she can go an incredible 13,000nm (24,000km) on one tank of biodiesel. That's over half way around the globe! Of course your crew gets grumpy at 6kn when you're in such a high speed vessel. At 25 knots she has a range of about 2,000nm (3,700km).
At the Helm of Earthrace
Much of the Earthrace helm has has been modelled on race cars. In the image here you can move around the earthrace helm using your mouse. The file may take a few minutes to load, but it is really cool. Recent additions to the helm are custom carbon / kevlar racing seats by Corbeau and a custom made pre-preg carbon steering wheel by Reverie.
Paul of Dive Planet NZ here, I have started a Fundraiser to raise as much money as we can to give to the Sea Shepherd Society for the repair or loss of the New Zealand Vessel Ady Gal also known to us all as Earthrace. Please follow link here to current auctions with more auctions coming soon on Trade Me.
Please be generous as this is the time to show how much you really care.
Latest report from Antartica: Earthrace is right now under tow as a salvage operation is being thoughtout. There may br a glimmer of hope for saving the Earthrace boat. Latest report updated at 0600hrs Thursday. Keep up to date as we stay up for the latest updates.
Above Earthrace a New Zealand Vessel
Tell Japan how it Is
I would like you all to use the contact info below and tell Japan how it is. Show your support and Tell Japan that we have had enough and this has to stop now!! Dive Planet recieves 40,000 visits per month lets all send a good clear message!!
Physical Address Level 18 & 19 The Majestic Centre 100 Willis Street Wellington 6011
Postal Address PO Box 6340 Marion Square Wellington 6141
Phone: (04) 473 1540 Fax: (04) 471 2951
Ady Gil Crew
Six crewmembers Rescued by the Sea Shepherd Ship Bob Barker
In an unprovoked attack captured on film, the Japanese security ship Shonan Maru No. 2 deliberately rammed and caused catastrophic damage to the Sea Shepherd catamaran Ady Gil.
Six crew crewmembers, four from New Zealand, one from Australia, and one from the Netherlands were immediately rescued by the crew of the Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker. None of the crew Ady Gil crew were injured.
The Ady Gil is believed to be sinking and chances of salvage are very grim.
Who Speaks for the Whales
Support Sea Shepherd
Hi all, Paul of Dive Planet NZ here, I am asking you all to make a donation to Sea Shepherd as they are the only ones out there trying to save the life of our oceans that we take for granted at times when we dive with the Whales.
Here at Dive Planet we are putting our online shop up now early as we want to raise funds to help the Sea Shepherd organisation. Purchase any of the following products on Dive Planet knowing that 50% of sale price will be donated to this cause. Together we can make a difference!
Buy this little 20cm Penguin for NZ$20.00 and help raise monies for Sea Shepherd.
More Whales and other products coming by Thursday 07/01/10
Dive Planet will be publishing other planned events in the next few days of our Fund raising for Sea Shepherd. For more info or items that you wish to donate that we can auction off please Email paul@diveplanet.co.nz or call my mobile 0210485633
Buy this little 20cm Penguin for NZ$20.00 and help raise monies for Sea Shepherd.
Buy this little 60cm Penguin for NZ$90.00 and help raise monies for Sea Shepherd. 
Buy this little Silky Soft Penguin for NZ$30.00 and help raise monies for Sea Shepherd.
