Support Captain Bethune

We at Sea Shepherd Conservation Society are deeply moved by the outpouring of support for Captain Pete Bethune, and we know you want to assist him in any way possible.

So, how can you help Captain Bethune?

1)   Send e-mail encouragement.
Captain Bethune wants to hear from you. Knowing that people are supporting him fuels his spirit. You may e-mail letters of positive support to Captain Bethune at: supportpete@seashepherd.org

Please note – Captain Bethune can only review your emails during his attorneys’ daily visits, so please keep them brief. He will not be allowed to keep these printouts in his prison cell, and he will not be permitted to respond. However, please know that he will appreciate these emails tremendously!

2)  Know what not to do.
Given Japan’s unique cultural and legal etiquette, it is equally important to behave with sensitivity and know what not to do. We know you would not intentionally do anything to negatively impact Captain Bethune’s case, so there are a few critical things you should know:

• Now is not the time to exert international pressure on Japan.
  Please refrain from appealing to the Japanese government with emails, phone calls, and/or protests on behalf of Captain Bethune. He has specifically asked that we not mount any sort of campaign to appeal for his freedom at this time, as doing so may actually be counter-productive to his situation.
• No visitors or gifts are allowed.
  Captain Bethune is not able to accept any gifts, food, or visitors at this time. So please, channel your positive energy instead into emails to Captain Bethune.  Don’t worry – his attorneys are ensuring that his needs are met and that he remains in good condition.

If Captain Bethune could thank you himself, we know that he would – and with any luck, he may be able to do so soon. In the meantime, thank you for your continued support of Captain Bethune, Sea Shepherd, and our shared mission to defend ocean wildlife worldwide.

BACKGROUND INFO:

During Sea Shepherd’s 2009-2010 Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign: Operation Waltzing Matilda, Captain Pete Bethune was volunteering his services as skipper of the Ady Gil. On January 6, 2010, the much larger and more maneuverable Japanese whaling vessel Shonan Maru No. 2 deliberately rammed and split the Ady Gil in two, then hosed its crew members down with water cannons as they scrambled for safety amongst the wreckage. As the Ady Gil began to take on water, the Shonan Maru No. 2 ignored Sea Shepherd’s multiple requests for assistance. Fortunately, another Sea Shepherd vessel, the Bob Barker, was nearby and was able to rescue the Ady Gil crew members. After repeated attempts by the Bob Barker to salvage and tow the remains of the Ady Gil to a nearby French base, and after removal of all remaining fuel and pollutants on board, the Ady Gil was ultimately deemed unsalvageable and sunk to a watery grave.

As a New Zealand citizen, Captain Bethune was empowered under New Zealand law to serve a citizen’s arrest warrant on the captain of the Shonan Maru No. 2 for the sinking of his vessel and the attempted murder of himself and his crew. On January 15, 2010, Captain Bethune made his first attempt to serve the Shonan Maru No. 2 with a citizen’s arrest, but he was unable to complete the service.  On February 15, 2010, Captain Bethune made a second attempt, and this time, he was able to successfully board the Shonan Maru No. 2 to deliver his citizen’s arrest warrant, along with an invoice for the loss of the Ady Gil.

Unfortunately, upon boarding the Shonan Maru No. 2, Captain Bethune was detained and taken all the way back to Japan, where he is currently being held in a Tokyo jail cell awaiting formal charges and a possible trial. At the moment, Sea Shepherd is working closely with Captain Bethune’s legal defense team in an effort to obtain his release from Japan as quickly as possible.

Bron :  Laurens De Groot