I could see it in the distance, as I walked towards the pier. Each step I took, it loomed larger and larger. The bow of the Sea Shepherd ship ‘Steve Irwin’, soon towered over my head. The ship sat high, alongside the dock. It was painted in a blue, grey and black camouflage. A ship tour was about to begin. I was with my mum and my 8-year-old labrador. We decided to take the free tour. It was here, where I decided I wanted to join Sea Shepherd. My labrador came along, easily able to navigate the steep stairs and narrow corridors aboard the ship. I’m sure my dog Bart, was enthralled listening to the crew member, talk about their conservation work.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, was set up by Paul Watson in 1977. They are a marine conservation group, known for their controversial tactics. This has, in the past, involved ramming and sinking whaling ships. As well as using their own bodies to prevent seals from being killed in Canada. I first came across the group, on an outdoor education camp in high school. I was watching a documentary, about shark conservation in Costa Rica. The film maker, Rob Stuart, had teamed up with Sea Shepherd for a campaign. Stuart, who has sadly passed away since, was explaining the organisation’s tactics and history.
It was something along the lines of, Sea Shepherd do, what governments won’t. Explaining that volunteers fundraise and provision their own ship, then set out for the open ocean. Their aim is to intercept, and intervene against illegal activities at sea. Sea Shepherd try to uphold international conservation laws, by stopping the perpetrators. Often from countries that are deliberately breaking the law.
When I joined, Sea Shepherd had been intervening against the Japanese whaling fleet, in Antarctica. This they had done for a number of years. They started with one vessel, back in 2002. Over the years, it grew to four ships. With each passing year, Sea Shepherd became ever-more sophisticated. Eventually owning a helicopter, all manner of small boats, camera-equipped weather balloons and drones. I had no intention of joining the ship’s crew, rather to volunteer on shore, and help anyway I could. As I found out this meant, a number of weekend market stalls. I helped sell all manner of t-shirts, stickers and jumpers. There were lots of other opportunities that volunteers could be involved in, which I did as well.
Approaching a festival atmosphere, there were all manner of stalls, activities and food trucks. This was spread across the indoor area, of Sea Works in Williamstown. Outside, a December sun beat down, while attendees cued to tour the various Sea Shepherd ships. While others, wondered about and enjoyed theme park style rides. There was a stage set up, for musical entertainment. The same stage later on, would be used by guest speakers. Former Greens leader, Bob Brown was one of them. As well as Captain Peter Hammarstedt, who, by then, was a veteran of many Sea Shepherd campaigns. This was Sea Shepherd’s largest annual fundraising event. All proceeds going to fund the anti-whaling campaign.
During my time volunteering, I met some great people. I also got my girlfriend, now my wife, involved as well. Often, we’d be walking in public, wearing Sea Shepherd clothes, and people would comment. They’d say, I love the work that you do. We’d say thanks, and briefly talk about conservation and Sea Shepherd Campaigns. Although, in reality, we scarcely ever were on any of the ships. The most action that we ever saw, was calculating sales on a spread sheet, at the end of the day.
For all of Sea Shepherd’s fearsome reputation, it really was an inspiring experience. Things have changed since, different people in charge, different ships, but I hope the Sea Shepherd organisation hasn’t changed that much.
Here is a painting I did of the ‘Steve Irwin’ ship in Antartica.
You can read more from RagingBull (Callum Quirk) Here.
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Well done Callum – a most worthy cause. Love the painting!