MY Ady Gil

The vessel was designed by LOMOcean Marine (formerly Craig Loomes Design Group Ltd.) and built by Calibre Boats in Auckland, New Zealand.{{Cite web|url=https://www.seabreeze.com.au/News/Power+Boats/Earthrace-around-the-world-in-60-days_2162526.aspx|title='Earthrace' - around the world in 60 days | Seabreeze|website=seabreeze.com.au|access-date=11 April 2023}} The wave-piercing trimaran design allowed for improved speed and stability. The boat was fully submersible, able to cut through {{Convert|15|m|ft|0|adj=on}} waves and go {{Convert|7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} underwater. The hull was composed of a composite carbon fibre and kevlar with a non-toxic anti-fouling paint.

The vessel was powered by two 540 horsepower Cummins Mercruiser engines that ran on an animal fat and vegetable oil mix biodiesel. It could be run on diesel, biodiesel or blends.In general, diesel engines will run on a wide variety of oils—Otto Diesel demonstrated the first one running on peanut oil at a World's Fair—and typically any engine that will run on biodiesel will also run on petroleum-based diesel. The main problem in using biodiesel is keeping it from congealing and clogging fuel tanks, lines, filters, etc., and this problem does not exist for petroleum diesel fuel, which stays liquid at all normal operating temperatures. To cool and provide fresh air to the engines, intakes were located on two dramatic fins.{{cite news|url=http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/silver-butterfly-spreads-its-wings/3682101/|access-date=6 January 2010|title=Silver butterfly spreads its wings|last=Powley|first=Kathryn|date=27 April 2006|newspaper=The Northern Advocate|publisher=APN News & Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719003255/http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/silver-butterfly-spreads-its-wings/3682101/|archive-date=19 July 2011|url-status=dead}} The Ady Gil's twin propellers were mounted under the main hull, while the rudders were mounted in the pontoons. This design provided good turning at speed, but limited maneuverability at speeds below 12 knots. Despite its design as an "eco-boat", Sir David MacKay calculated that it had significantly greater energy consumption per passenger-kilometre than a jet-ski or the QE2.{{Cite book|last=Mackay|first=David|author-link=David J. C. MacKay|title=Sustainable Energy – without the hot air|place=Cambridge|publisher=UIT|year=2009|isbn=978-0-9544529-3-3|pages=128, 130|url=http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/withouthotair/c20/page_128.shtml}}

The $2.5 million cost was mostly funded by sponsors, and the only luxury item aboard was the $10,000 toilet.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/personalities/news/article.cfm?c_id=72&objectid=10376534&pnum=0| title=Mad sailor Peter Bethune not a nutcase | last=Hewitson | first=Michele | date=8 April 2006 | work=The New Zealand Herald| access-date=26 July 2010}} When asked, "Regrets about the cost of it all?" skipper Pete Bethune replied, "No ... You know, I do have the coolest boat in the world."{{cite news|first=Erik |last=Lacitis |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003176794_weirdboat05m.html |title=Strange watercraft visits Seattle |work=The Seattle Times |date=5 August 2006 |access-date=26 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622082419/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003176794_weirdboat05m.html |archive-date=22 June 2011 }}

File:Earthrace in Hamburg.jpg

Earthrace was intended to showcase environmentally friendly technologies. It broke the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a motorised boat. It set the record in 60 days 23 hours and 49 minutes. This beat the record of 74 days, 20 hours, 58 minutes set by the Cable and Wireless Adventurer (then the Ocean 7 Adventurer),{{cite news|title=Avatar pilot turns sights in whalers|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whale-watch/avatar-pilot-turns-sights-in-whalers-20101123-184xw.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 November 2010|first=Andrew|last=Darby}} in 1998, by 13 days 21 hours and 9 minutes. It is unclear if the circumnavigation was faster than the disputed time set by the US Navy's USS Triton nuclear-powered submarine during Operation Sandblast.{{cite book |title= Confronting Poseidon: Around the World Against the Odds |last= Tully |first= Clive |year= 2002 |publisher= Offshore Publishing |location= Portsmouth, England |isbn= 978-0-9544093-0-2 |page= 15 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LP2pMgsEGd4C&q=Guinness+%22USS+Triton%22&pg=PA15|access-date=2010-05-21}}

The time established by Earthrace did not supersede the overall record set by the 103-ft sailing trimaran Groupama 3 skipped by Franck Cammas with 48d 7h 44' 52" or the latest 2012 record set by Banque Populaire V, a 131-ft trimaran skipped by Loïck Peyron, with 45d 13h 42' 53".

The attempt originally departed from Barbados on 10 March 2007 but encountered significant delays including problems with the propellers and other mechanical issues.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10443330|title=Earthrace highlights green cause|last=Griffin|first=Peter|date=3 June 2007|work=The New Zealand Herald|access-date=28 March 2010}}

A problem with an engine off Palau caused an 8-day delay because of the remoteness.{{Cite press release|url=http://earthrace.net/index.php?action=view_article&id=34&module=articlemodule&src=%40random456b8bd73bbc2 |title=Earthrace press release |date=9 May 2007 |publisher=Earthrace |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815095652/http://earthrace.net/index.php?action=view_article&id=34&module=articlemodule&src=%40random456b8bd73bbc2 |archive-date=15 August 2011 }} On the night of 19 March 2007, while around {{Convert|22|km|mi|0}} offshore from Guatemala, Earthrace collided with a local fishing boat. No Earthrace crew were hurt, but one of the three crew members from the fishing boat was never found.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10429738|access-date=6 January 2010|title=Earthrace chief in court over tragedy|newspaper=New Zealand Herald|publisher=APN News & Media|date=20 March 2007|archive-date=29 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092008/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10429738|url-status=dead}} The crew was absolved of any responsibility after a 10-day investigation during which they were held in custody.{{Cite press release|url=http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?action=view_article&id=62&module=articlemodule&src=%40random456b8bd73bbc2 |title=Judge frees Earthrace Captain |date=28 March 2007 |publisher=Earthrace |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723105051/http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?action=view_article&id=62&module=articlemodule&src=%40random456b8bd73bbc2 |archive-date=23 July 2011 }} The delays prevented Earthrace from completing the circumnavigation in record time, but because Earthrace took an official start time when leaving San Diego, the team decided to "restart" with this new start/finish line. They departed San Diego on 7 April 2007 and needed to return by 21 June to break the record. However, the attempt was abandoned on 31 May 2007 after a crack was discovered in the hull shortly after leaving Málaga, Spain.{{Cite press release|url=http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?action=view_article&id=39&module=articlemodule&src=%40random456b8bd73bbc2 |title=Earthrace Forced to Abandon Record Attempt |date=31 May 2007 |publisher=Earthrace |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723105058/http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?action=view_article&id=39&module=articlemodule&src=%40random456b8bd73bbc2 |archive-date=23 July 2011 }}

The biofuel came from a wide range of suppliers and was derived from various cash crops. Bethune reluctantly had to fall back on conventional diesel once due to a lack of availability.

File:203SFEC LONDON-20070917.JPG

File:EARTHRACE Cockpit wheel.jpg

File:EARTHRACE Skipper's seat.jpg seat.]]

File:EARTHRACE bunkroom.jpgs.]]

After a refit at the Vulkan Shipyard at the Port of Sagunto, a second attempt on the record began at 14:35 (CET) on 27 April 2008.{{Cite press release|url=http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?section=65|title=Captain's blog|publisher=Earthrace}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4497145a7693.html|access-date=6 January 2010|title=Biofuelled boat ready to resume challenge|agency=The Dominion Post|newspaper=stuff.co.nz|publisher=Fairfax New Zealand|date=26 April 2008}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.mby.com/auto/newsdesk/20080316104952mbynews.html |access-date=6 January 2010 |title=Earthrace will be at British Motor Show |work=Motor Boat & Yachting |publisher=IPC Media |date=16 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521175236/http://www.mby.com/auto/newsdesk/20080316104952mbynews.html |archive-date=21 May 2009 }} On board were Rob Drewett (cameraman), Adam Carlson (navigator), Mark Russel (engineer) and Bethune (skipper/owner).[http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?section=33 Boat Crew: Pete Bethune – Skipper] (from the 'Earthrace.net' website. Retrieved 2010-01-11.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} The route for the second world record attempt and estimated time for each leg was as follows:

• Sagunto (Spain) – Azores: 3 days
• Azores – Puerto Rico: 3 days
• Puerto Rico – Panama: 3 days
• Panama – Manzanillo (Mexico): 3 days
• Manzanillo – San Diego: 3 days.
• San Diego – Hawaii: 5 days
• Hawaii – Majuro (Marshall Islands): 5 days
• Majuro – Koror (Palau): 5 days
• Koror – Singapore: 5 days
• Singapore – Kochi (India): 5 days
• Kochi – Salalah (Oman): 4 days
• Salalah – Suez Canal (Egypt): 4 days
• Suez Canal – Sagunto: 4 days

The boat experienced problems with the autopilot two days after departure, and then on 30 April the lift pump of the starboard engine became blocked. However, although some time was lost, the boat arrived at the Azores slightly ahead of schedule for the world record attempt and with all technical problems apparently solved.

The next two legs went without any major problems and the crew managed to bypass a big backlog of ships in the Panama Canal. On day 22 about halfway to Hawaii, a severe vibration caused them to stop and after Bethune went under the boat in the dark with a torch to investigate, he discovered that some nylon netting was entangled in one prop and had to be removed.

Shortly after leaving Palau on day 34, Earthrace struck submerged debris which sheared two blades off the port propeller and bent the drive shaft. This necessitated a return to Palau in order to assess the damage and remove the prop. The boat then continued to Singapore on one engine, while plans were set in motion to manufacture a new drive shaft and obtain another propeller. Once in Singapore, Earthrace was hoisted from the water in a sling and repairs were effected on the dockside in record time.

On day 48 the crew were suffering from heat and high humidity and were all affected by heat rash. At this time they had also encountered monsoon weather and their speed was much reduced due to mountainous waves. The heavy seas continued all the way to Oman and beyond before entering the Red Sea. During this stretch the boat's transponder was damaged and the marine tracker stopped working. On day 56, en route to Port Suez, the lift pump malfunctioned, limiting their speed to 16 knots. This required three hours worth of maintenance to change it.

On Friday, 27 June 2008, Earthrace set a new world record for powered circumnavigation of the globe, when it crossed the finish line at 14:24 CET at Sagunto, Spain.

File:Ady Gil 2.jpg in late 2009, with the new black paint job evoking a 'stealth design', backed by special radar-scattering paint.]]

File:Ady Gil 1.jpg

{{Main|Sea Shepherd Conservation Society operations#Operation Waltzing Matilda (2009-2010)| l1=Sea Shepherd Conservation Society operations}}

It was announced that the Earthrace would accompany Sea Shepherd in its 2009–10 operations (named 'Waltzing Matilda') against Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Bethune said that an agreement was reached with Sea Shepherd for the boat to adopt a support role.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/29/2611001.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702115958/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/29/2611001.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 July 2009|title=Futuristic boat to join whale protest|date=29 June 2009|work=The Age|access-date=30 September 2009}} Sea Shepherd noted that the vessel had been the only one in the fleet fast enough to keep up with all vessels of the Japanese whaling fleet.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jan-10-la-me-whale-boat10-2010jan10-story.html |title=Fundraiser aims to replace Ady Gil anti-whaling trimaran |last=Sahagun |first=Louis|work=Los Angeles Times|date=10 January 2010 |access-date=15 January 2010}}

On 17 October 2009, the Earthrace was presented to the media with a new black paint job, and it was renamed Ady Gil, after the name of a major sponsor (a Hollywood lighting-equipment magnate who had donated $1 million to the group).{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article6982236.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629141039/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article6982236.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2011|title=Ady Gil downed by Japanese whalers|date=10 January 2010|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=2010-01-10 | location=London | first=Peter | last=Millar}} The new paint job and futuristic appearance of the boat itself often evoked comparisons to Batman vehicles and stealth craft in the media.{{cite news| title= Whaling Protesters Pioneer Non-lethal Warfare| magazine= Wired| date= 2010-01-15|url=https://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/01/whaling-protesters-pioneer-non-lethal-warfare/| access-date= 2010-01-16| first=David| last=Hambling}}{{cite news| title= Street Fight on the High Seas| magazine= The New Yorker| date= 2010-01-12|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2010/01/sea-shepherd.html | access-date= 2010-01-16}}

4–8 layers of Kevlar were added to protect the hull against ice with the thickness depending on the location, with all areas under the waterline getting the extra laminations of kevlar as well as some areas above the waterline.{{cite news|url=http://www.ecorazzi.com/2009/08/28/exclusive-the-earthrace-begins-a-sea-shepherd-transformation/|title=Exclusive: The Earthrace Begins A Sea Shepherd Transformation|last=d'Estries|first=Michael|date=28 August 2009|access-date=15 January 2010|archive-date=11 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111074015/http://www.ecorazzi.com/2009/08/28/exclusive-the-earthrace-begins-a-sea-shepherd-transformation/|url-status=usurped}} To reduce its radar profile for the Japanese fleet, the ship was painted with a paint intended to scatter radar signals and a broadband radar which has near-zero radar emissions. Despite being referred to as a stealth craft, the Ady Gil lacks the angles and curvature of form designed to deflect radar away from the emitter rather than back to them.{{cite web|url=http://www.howstuffworks.com/question69.htm|title=How does stealth technology work?|access-date=16 January 2010|date=April 2000}} Other electronics upgrades included FLIR cameras, Iridium satellite communications as well as an array of speakers which were intended for communication purposes. Bethune said that he intended to play songs like Tangaroa from New Zealand musician Tiki Taane to the whalers, a "growling big sort of a song about the God of the Sea who looks after us".{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/wail-for-whales-stealth-boat-to-blast-japanese-20091130-k18l.html|title=Wail for whales: stealth boat to blast Japanese|date=29 June 2009|work=The Age|access-date=30 November 2009 | location=Melbourne | first=Andrew | last=Darby}}

Sea Shepherd crew said before the journey that Ady Gil would not be used as a confrontational vessel like the Steve Irwin.{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Earthrace-the-new-weapon-against-whaling/tabid/423/articleID/125767/cat/64/Default.aspx|title=Earthrace: the new weapon against whaling|date=16 October 2009|work=New Zealand TV3|access-date=21 October 2009}} However, Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson, President of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, later stated in October 2009 that with a top speed of 50 knots, the vessel would be used to intercept harpoon ships and physically block them from harpooning whales, allowing Sea Shepherd to "mount the most ambitious and aggressive effort to date to obstruct the slaughter of the whales in the Southern Ocean."{{cite web|url=http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-091020-1.html|title=Sea Shepherd Unveils the Ady Gil|date=20 October 2009|access-date=11 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023033620/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-091020-1.html|archive-date=23 October 2009}}

{{Hatnote|For the wider response / legal aftermath of the collision, see Sea Shepherd Conservation Society operations}}

During the days before the collision, the Ady Gil engaged Japanese whaling vessels during their hunt.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/whale-war-whips-up-a-perfect-storm-20100108-lyyr.html|title=Whale war whips up a perfect storm|last=Darby|first=Andrew|date=9 January 2010|publisher=The Age|access-date=15 January 2010 | location=Melbourne}} The crew towed ropes in an attempt to foul the propellers of the Japanese ships and used a potato cannon to fire capsules of foul-smelling butyric acid which taints the whale meat the whalers get from their hunts.

On 6 January 2010, the vessel was involved in a collision at sea with the Japanese vessel Shōnan Maru 2, which was engaged in security and support for the whaling fleet. One Ady Gil crew member, a New Zealand cameraman, sustained six broken ribs.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10618810 |title=Govt calls for restraint after ocean clash |author=Fitzgerald, Julie |date=7 January 2010 |agency=NZPA |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=27 October 2011}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/japanese-ship-destroys-whale-protest-boat--ady-gil-20100106-ltp4.html|title=Japanese ship destroys whale protest boat Ady Gil|first=Andrew|last=Darby|date=6 January 2010|website=The Age|access-date=11 April 2023}} Crew on three vessels, the Shōnan Maru 2, the Ady Gil, and the {{MY|Bob Barker}}, a Sea Shepherd Conservation Society support ship, took footage of the incident,{{Cite press release|url=http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-100105-4.html |access-date=6 January 2010 |title=Japanese Whalers Ram Sea Shepherd Ship Ady Gil |date=5 January 2010 |publisher=Sea Shepherd Conservation Society |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114015158/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-100105-4.html |archive-date=14 January 2010 }} and video of the incident has been released by both the Institute of Cetacean Research[http://www.icrwhale.org/eng/100106SS2.wmv Ady Gil collides with the Shōnan Maru No. 2] (from the Institute of Cetacean Research website. 2010-01-06. Retrieved 2010-01-15. and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rar9zxH1kts Ady Gil Being Rammed, View From Bob Barker] (YouTube video taken from the Bob Barker showing collision. Retrieved 2010-01-15.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfGM-LzGKjc Footage from the Ady Gil, right before its ramming by the Shōnan Maru No. 2] (YouTube video taken from the Ady Gil showing collision. Retrieved 2010-01-15.

Each side blames the other for the incident, arguing that the skipper of the other vessel miscalculated during a dangerous maneuver. Bethune has said that he believes the captain of the Japanese vessel had miscalculated while trying to scrape the bow of the Ady Gil.{{Cite episode|title=Sliced in Two|episode-link=List of Whale Wars episodes#ep24|series=Whale Wars|series-link=Whale Wars|network=Animal Planet|airdate=16 July 2010|season=3|number=6|minutes=36:53|quote=... but I think they wanted to just scrape the bow. If they took off six inches of bow we would be limping back to Hobart. He was trying to take off a foot and he took off three or four metres in the end. The guy just miscalculated.}} In a statement released by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Chuck Swift, who witnessed the incident from his ship, the Bob Barker, claimed that both vessels were stationary in the water when the Shōnan Maru 2 "started up and then steered deliberately into the Ady Gil". Paul Watson initially claimed that the Ady Gil was almost stationary in the water when the Shōnan Maru 2 suddenly changed course and then steered deliberately into it.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jan/10/paul-watson-sea-shepherd-whales|author=John Vidal|title=Paul Watson: Sea Shepherd's stern 'warrior' defies Japanese whalers|publisher=The Observer|date=10 January 2010 | location=London}} However, Watson later stated that "One only needs to watch the video to see that Bethune negligently stopped his ship in the path of the whaling vessel and it was cut in half".{{cite web | url=http://www.tmz.com/2013/01/16/whale-wars-star-captain-paul-watson-ady-gil-lawsuit/ |title = 'Whale Wars' Star -- I Didn't Sink That Boat| date=16 January 2013 }} Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research blames the collision on Sea Shepherd, who they say were attempting to entangle their rudder and propeller by repeatedly crossing their bow with lines.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/environment/whale-watch/japanese-ship-destroys-whale-protest-boat--ady-gil-20100106-ltp4.html|title= Japanese ship destroys whale protest boat Ady Gil |last=Darby|first=Andrew|date=6 January 2010|work=The Age|access-date=11 February 2010 | location=Melbourne}} The Japanese Fisheries Agency said that the Shōnan Maru 2 had employed a water cannon to deter the Ady Gil, but the anti-whaling vessel undertook manoeuvres like suddenly reducing speed, resulting in the collision.{{cite news|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100106x2.html |title=Sea Shepherd boat crippled when struck by whaler |date=6 January 2010 |work=The Japan Times |access-date=18 January 2010 |location=Sydney/Tokyo (Kyoto) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109100529/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100106x2.html |archive-date=9 January 2010 }} Opinions in news media organisations vary similarly. Some blame the Ady Gil for powering up to intentionally propel itself into the whaler's path, some accuse the Shōnan Maru 2 of intentionally ramming a stationary vessel – with both sides basing their views primarily on the released video footage.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/new-footage-from-ady-gil-before-high-seas-smash-appears-to-back-sea-shepherd-claims/story-e6frf7jo-1225818006595|title=New footage from Ady Gil before high-seas smash appears to back Sea Shepherd claims|publisher=HeraldSun|date=11 January 2010|access-date=11 January 2010}} Others place the blame more evenly.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10619393|title=Hardline warrior in war to save the whale|publisher=The New Zealand Herald|date=11 January 2010}} An investigation into the collision by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was inconclusive and unable to assign blame for the collision. AMSA was unable to verify claims made by Sea Shepherd, while the Japanese government declined to participate with the investigation saying any information it had might be needed for an inquiry by its own authorities.{{cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/inquiry-into-ady-gil-crash-inconclusive-20100508-ukx4.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | first=Michelle | last=Draper | title=Inquiry into Ady Gil crash inconclusive | date=8 May 2010}} New Zealand authorities found both parties were at fault for the collision. The inquiry by Maritime New Zealand found that the Shonan Maru No. 2 should have kept clear of the Ady Gil under international collision regulations, and had ample opportunity to avoid hitting it. It also found that the Ady Gil failed to take avoiding action, and its helmsman did not see the Japanese ship bearing down until seconds before the impact.{{cite news|last=Darby|first=Andrew|title=Ady Gil and whalers both at fault for collision: inquiry|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whale-watch/ady-gil--and-whalers-both-at-fault-for-collision-inquiry-20101118-17y8u.html|access-date=18 November 2010|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 November 2010}}

The Institute discovered the wreck of the Ady Gil and released video footage reportedly showing it to be leaking diesel fuel into the Southern Ocean.[http://www.icrwhale.org/eng/100108SS.wmv Video footage] icrwhale.org It also recovered a number of large-size arrows floating near the wreck, arguing that these proved Sea Shepherd was willing to endanger human life with their tactics.{{cite news | title=Whaling Bombshell: Ady Gil Armed With Deadly Arrows; Sea Shepherd 'Willfully Polluting' Antarctic |url=http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=30846971521 | work=Underwatertimes | date=8 January 2010 | access-date=24 July 2010}} The crew of the Ady Gil claim the arrows were to be used for shooting the dead whales, poisoning their flesh and causing the whale to be of no use to the whalers and statements to this effect were made during filming for an episode of Whale Wars. The discovery of the arrows was later used by Sea Shepherd to justify the expulsion of Bethune from the Sea Shepherd organisation.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jun/08/sea-shepherd-expels-peter-bethune | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=Sea Shepherd expels Peter Bethune over weapons | date=8 June 2010}}

Having sustained severe damage, Ady Gil was towed towards the French Dumont d'Urville Station in Antarctica.news.com.au, 8 January 2010, [http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/ady-gil-abandoned-and-leaking-oil-japan/story-e6frfku0-1225817467945 Ady Gil abandoned and leaking oil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116021254/http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/ady-gil-abandoned-and-leaking-oil-japan/story-e6frfku0-1225817467945 |date=16 January 2016 }}Herald Sun, 8 January 2010, [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/govt-cant-guarantee-legal-action-against-japanese-whaling/story-e6frf7jx-1225817484238 Govt can't guarantee legal action against Japanese whaling] While weather conditions had been reported as favourable for the salvage attempt, the process of towing the vessel was reported to have caused it to take on more water. Sea Shepherd claimed that all fuel and oil had been taken off-board the drifting vessel, at risk to the crew.{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/whalers-now-claim-ady-gil-was-armed/story-e6frg6nf-1225817485505 |title=Whalers now claim Ady Gil was armed | work=The Australian |date=9 January 2010 | access-date=24 July 2010 |first1=Debbie |last1=Guest |first2=Natasha |last2=Robinson}} However, Japanese sources later provided photographs allegedly showing the abandoned wreckage to be leaking diesel fuel into the Southern Ocean.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/ady-gil-wreckage-leaking-oil-in-antarctica-japan-complains-20100108-lyty.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Ady Gil wreckage leaking oil in Antarctica: Japan complains | date=8 January 2010}}

Bethune posted an open letter to his Facebook page on 6 October 2010, in which he said that after colliding with the Shōnan Maru 2, Watson directed him to deliberately sink the Ady Gil for PR purposes.{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Bethune-quits-Sea-Shepherd-over-lies/tabid/1160/articleID/180068/Default.aspx |last=Speedy |first=Juliet |title=Bethune quits Sea Shepherd over lies |publisher=3 News |date=6 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714051937/http://www.3news.co.nz/Bethune-quits-Sea-Shepherd-over-lies/tabid/1160/articleID/180068/Default.aspx |archive-date=14 July 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/news/Boss-of-Sea-Shepherd-39told.6571035.jp |title=Boss of Sea Shepherd 'told me to scuttle clash ship' |publisher=The Scotsman |first=Ray |last=Lilley |date=8 October 2010}}

On 7 January 2013, Watson was sued in Los Angeles County by the owner of the boat for $5 million. Gil says his vessel was rammed by a Japanese whaling ship in 2010 and suffered damage to the nose but the damage was repairable. According to Gil, Watson saw the collision as an opportunity to spin the incident into a major publicity and money maker for his organisation so instead of towing the boat to port for repairs, he secretly gave an order to sink the ship "under the cover of darkness" and blamed the Japanese. Gil claims Watson knew that blaming the whalers for the destruction of his ship would garner sympathy for his cause and spark outrage against the whalers inspiring more people to donate to his anti-whaling organisation.{{cite news| url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/whale-wars-star-sued-for-5-million-by-ady-gil-ship-owner-report-says/ | work=Fox News | title='Whale Wars' star sued for $5 million by Ady Gil ship owner, report says | date=8 January 2013}} Bethune also took Sea Shepherd to arbitration court for the balance owed to him in the amount of $500,000.{{cite web|last1=Destries|first1=Michael|title=Pete Bethune: 'Sea Shepherd Treated Me Like a Used Condom'|url=http://www.ecorazzi.com/2012/07/30/pete-bethune-sea-shepherd-treated-me-like-a-used-condom/|website=Ecorazzi|access-date=19 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222074158/http://www.ecorazzi.com/2012/07/30/pete-bethune-sea-shepherd-treated-me-like-a-used-condom/|url-status=usurped}}

A complaint based on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act was filed by Ady Gil and Vince Dundee against Sea Shepherd and Paul Watson on 6 August 2014 in the Superior Court of Los Angeles regarding the solicitation of donations for a replacement for the vessel.{{cite news|url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/08/08/70217.htm|work=Courthouse News|title=More Trouble for Sea Shepherd Society|date=8 August 2014|access-date=21 September 2014}}

In September 2015, an arbitrator ruled that Sea Shepherd intentionally and wrongfully scuttled the MV Ady Gil, intending to capitalise on the publicity the sinking would bring.{{cite web |url=http://www.ecorazzi.com/2015/09/25/judge-rules-sea-shepherd-wrongfully-sank-whale-wars-vessel/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927120810/http://www.ecorazzi.com/2015/09/25/judge-rules-sea-shepherd-wrongfully-sank-whale-wars-vessel/ |archive-date=27 September 2015 |title=Judge Rules Sea Shepherd Wrongfully Sank Crippled 'Whale Wars' Vessel {{!}} Ecorazzi}} Sea Shepherd fought to have the ruling and award kept from the public, but was ultimately unsuccessful. In January 2016, it accepted the arbitrator's ruling, which once finalised will see the arbitration award made public.{{cite web|url=http://www.law360.com/articles/744447/whale-wars-star-nonprofit-agree-to-end-ship-dispute|title = 'Whale Wars' Star, Nonprofit Agree to End Ship Dispute - Law360}} Mr Gil and Earthrace Ltd were awarded US$500,000 in compensation plus 3.25% interest on that amount from 8 January 2010 to 15 September 2015, the date of the arbitrator's order.{{cite web|url=http://www.ady.com/Award-Final_Award-Kalicki.pdf|title=HFinal award|website=ady.com|access-date=4 February 2019|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124062034/http://www.ady.com/Award-Final_Award-Kalicki.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Bethune boarded the Shōnan Maru 2 on 15 February 2010, claiming to be conducting a citizen's arrest of her captain for what he said was the attempted murder of him and his crew, and to present a $3 million demand for his lost boat.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whale-watch/tokyos-angry-reception-for-antiwhaling-activist-20100312-q46s.html|author=john Powell|title=Tokyo's angry reception for anti-whaling activist|publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=13 March 2010}} He was detained by the ship's crew and taken to Japan, where he was arrested by the Japanese Coast Guard on 12 March on charges of trespassing.{{cite web|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/environment/whale-watch/japan-arrests-sea-shepherd-captain-20100312-q2qw.html|author=Shino Yuasa|title=Japan arrests Sea Shepherd captain|publisher=WA Today|date=12 March 2010|access-date=12 March 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VpAXYNErHk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422143237/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VpAXYNErHk&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=2020-04-22 |url-status=dead|title=Sea Shepherd activist faces jail in Japan|publisher=Lateline|date=13 March 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/world/asia/13whale.html|author=Martin Fackler and Mark McDonald|title=Japanese Coast Guard Arrests Anti-Whaling Skipper|work=The New York Times|date=12 March 2010}} On 2 April 2010, Bethune was indicted on five charges; trespassing, assault, illegal possession of a knife, destruction of property and obstruction of business.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/world/asia/03japan.html|author=Mark McDonald|title=Japan Indicts Anti-Whaling Activist|work=The New York Times|date=2 April 2010}} He was held without bond in a maximum security prison for five months. In July 2010 Bethune was sentenced to two years in prison, but received a five-year suspension of sentence and was deported back to New Zealand.[https://archive.today/20120716191637/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/10/2949999.htm Deported whaling protester back in New Zealand] Bethune was also seemingly expelled from Sea Shepherd in response to bringing a set of bow and arrows on board with intent of spoiling whale meat for commercial use;{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jun/08/sea-shepherd-expels-peter-bethune|title=Sea Shepherd expels Peter Bethune over weapons|agency=Associated Press|date=8 June 2010|access-date=11 April 2023|newspaper=The Guardian}}{{cite web|title=Tools and Tactics of Whale Wars|url=http://animal.discovery.com/videos/whale-wars-tools-tactics/|access-date=2010-07-13|publisher=Animal Planet}} however, Watson later said this was a legal strategy on the part of Sea Shepherd during Bethune's trial.{{cite news|title=Bethune welcome to rejoin Sea Shepherd: Watson|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whale-watch/bethune-welcome-to-rejoin-sea-shepherd-watson-20100708-101m5.html|access-date=2010-07-13|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=2010-07-08}}

The financial loss of the Ady Gil was estimated at $1.5 million. A donor had reportedly offered $1 million towards the construction of the Ady Gil 2.{{cite news |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Sea-Shepherd-captain-devastated-by-sinking/tabid/423/articleID/136574/Default.aspx |title=Sea Shepherd captain 'devastated' by sinking |last=Joliff |first=Emma |publisher=3news |date=8 January 2010 |access-date=8 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113050008/http://www.3news.co.nz/Sea-Shepherd-captain-devastated-by-sinking/tabid/423/articleID/136574/Default.aspx |archive-date=13 January 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Sea Shepherd instead acquired the Ocean 7 Adventurer (which is the vessel that held the race record until the Ady Gil beat it) to replace the Ady Gil for its 2011 campaign against Japanese whaling in the Antarctic and renamed it MV Gojira (Godzilla), then later, {{MV|Brigitte Bardot}}.

• List of circumnavigations

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{official website|http://www.earthrace.net}} (Earthrace record-attempt / vessel website)
• [http://omegataupodcast.net/5-earthrace-around-the-world-in-a-powerboat/ Interview with Skipper Pete Bethune] (from the 'omegataupodcast.net' website, taken before involvement with Sea Shepherd)

;Videos of collision

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120929130158/http://www.3news.co.nz/Whaling-crash---Japanese-point-of-view/tabid/313/articleID/136375/Default.aspx Video of the crash taken from the Shōnan Maru 2]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120929130544/http://www.3news.co.nz/Shocked-whaling-protesters-plan-salvage-of-rammed-boat/tabid/309/articleID/136353/Default.aspx Video of the crash taken from the Bob Barker]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120929130600/http://www.3news.co.nz/New-Ady-Gil-footage-backs-up-Sea-Shepherds-claims/tabid/423/articleID/136639/Default.aspx Video of the crash taken from the Ady Gil]

{{SSCS}}

{{2010 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ady Gil}}

Category:Ships built in New Zealand

Category:Biodiesel

Category:Motorboats

Category:Ships of New Zealand

Category:Experimental ships

Category:2006 ships

Category:Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ships

Category:Maritime incidents in 2010

Category:Shipwrecks in the Southern Ocean

Category:Trimarans

Category:Ships sunk in collisions

Category:2010 in Antarctica