It doesn't say anywhere in the article that the Japanese rammed the protesters. The Ady Gil is a much more maneuverable ship than the whaling boat, and could have easily gotten out of the way. Too bad the idiots on board don't know how to run a ship.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8442808.stm

It notes they claimed it, I could also find an article stating it as a fact, but that one was from the Sea Shepherd site.

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if it really happened, though. The Japanese whalers value whales over human lives, too, apparantly. Which doesn't surprise me either.

Well if you actually read up on it, the Japanese rammed the ship and legal actions are being taken against them for it.

Dutch police are also investigating piracy claims against the Japanese.

The Sea Shepards claimed that the Japanese rammed them. And the article definitely takes up on their side. Yes an investigation is being made, but nothing is going to come of it. The Sea Shepards won't admit guilt and the Japanese will refuse to negotiate with what they view as terrorists.

You seem quite biased.

No s*** sherlock.

Anyway, the Sea Shepards themselves stated they were going to use the boat to physically block the whalers. What did they expect to happen?
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-med ... 020-1.html

Physically block.

It does not state they rammed the Japanese.

If they were blocking, it would mean the Japanese rammed then.

The Shōnan Maru weighs a couple hundred of tons and can't exactly stop or maneuver on a dime. The Ady Gil is practically a speedboat which could've dodged the Japanese ship. Instead they go right in front of it, thinking that will force the other captain to stop. The Sea Shepherd org also has a history of purposely colliding with the other Japanese ships. This is just another stunt by them to gain media recognition.

Even if you think the Japanese are at fault, you still have to ponder about the SS methods. Inexperienced crew performing dangerous tasks in an hostile environment is just irresponsible and reckless. They are putting lives at risk for a species of whale (minke) that are not even endangered!

I don't think they would all be inexperienced.

If you've watched the show, you'll quickly see that the crew mostly comprises of young college students. Most who can't seem to get along. Any professionals they bring along, quit as soon as they reach port due to the conditions they work in. I actually find the show hilarious since most of the episodes go like this:

"I've never seen a whale die, and I'm not going to start today!"
*Boat breaks down*
*Several whales are slaughtered in full view of the crew*

I don't think the show presents much of a clear view either. At best it might be a cut-and-edit soap.

Anyway, the Japanese are the ones violating a treaty here (scientific research, my hat).