MY Steve Irwin

In January 2007, the ship was struck from the British Ship Register after a Japanese request.[http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/britain-to-deregister-antiwhaler-after-japan-pipes-up/2007/01/29/1169919275322.html Britain to deregister anti-whaler after Japan pipes up], The Age, January 30, 2007 The ship has been registered in the Netherlands as of October 8, 2007.[http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/11/05/071105fa_fact_khatchadourian?currentPage=all Neptune’s Navy], The New Yorker, November 5, 2007

The FPV Westra was laid up ready for disposal in 2003 when Sea Shepherd purchased her in November 2006 and renamed her Robert Hunter.

In February 2007, Robert Hunter joined Farley Mowat in order to prevent the Japanese whaling vessel Nisshin Maru from hunting in an action Sea Shepherd called Operation Leviathan. Sea Shepherd members threw bottles of foul-smelling butyric acid onto the decks of the Nisshin Maru. The Japanese say three members of the whaler were injured in the attack. Robert Hunter and Farley Mowat obstructed the path of the whaling ship,[http://www.icrwhale.org/gpandsea-img.htm 2007.2.12 Sea Shepherd rammed The Kaiko Maru] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118145721/http://www.icrwhale.org/gpandsea-img.htm |date=January 18, 2008 }}, Institute of Cetacean Research and Robert Hunter and Kaiko Maru collided with each other. One Japanese official accused the Sea Shepherd organisation of behaving "like pirates". Robert Hunter sustained a 3-foot gash in the hull above the waterline at the stern of the ship.[http://en.ce.cn/World/Asia-Pacific/200702/15/t20070215_10442215.shtml Japanese whaler, anti-whaling ship collide], China Economic Net, February 15, 2007

Steve Irwin has also participated in "Operation Migaloo" (named after Migaloo, the albino humpback whale) that started in November 2007,[http://www.wildlifeextra.com/japanese-whaling927.html Sea Shepherd Launches Campaign to Disrupt Japanese Whaling: Operation Migaloo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122145052/http://www.wildlifeextra.com/japanese-whaling927.html |date=January 22, 2008 }}, wildlifeextra.com and after repairs were completed in Launceston and a brief stop over in Melbourne, she was scheduled to depart for the Antarctic on December 1, 2007.

On January 15, 2008, after throwing packages of butyric acid onto the decks and attempting to entangle a hunting ship's propeller,{{Cite news|url=http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200801170099.html |title=Japan to release whaling activists |newspaper=IHT/Asahi |date=January 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118062913/http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200801170099.html |archive-date=January 18, 2008 }}– ^{[https://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=intitle%3AJapan+to+release+whaling+activists&as_publication=&as_ylo=2008&as_yhi=2008&btnG=Search Scholar search]} two Sea Shepherd members boarded the Japanese whaling vessel Yūshin Maru No. 2. Paul Watson stated that it was his intention to create an international incident through the boarding and expected detainment.{{cite web|url=http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/editorial-080221-1.html|title=Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=Sea Shepherd|date=February 21, 2008|access-date=July 22, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525121018/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/editorial-080221-1.html|archive-date=May 25, 2011|df=mdy-all}} They later stated that their intent had been to present a protest note to its captain.[http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23060426-29277,00.html Read the anti-whaling activists' letter] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118061318/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C23060426-29277%2C00.html |date=January 18, 2008 }}, news.com.au, January 17, 2008 Benjamin Potts, a 28-year-old cook from Sydney, Australia, and Giles Lane, a 35-year-old engineer from Leeds, United Kingdom, were detained by crew of Yūshin Maru No. 2.

File:MY Steve Irwin-Sea Shepherd Conservation Society-bow.JPG Docklands, UK 2011]]

Sea Shepherd claimed that the two had been kidnapped and tied to the radar mast for several hours with ropes and zip ties.[http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23059320-2,00.html Whale protesters taken hostage] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116055708/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C23059320-2%2C00.html |date=January 16, 2008 }}, news.com.au, January 15, 2008 Potts and Lane, however, later stated that they were tied for only fifteen minutes to the side of the ship and a couple of minutes to the radio mast before being taken below deck.{{Citation|title=Whaling protesters free on their ship|newspaper=The Australian|date=January 18, 2008|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23069680-601,00.html|access-date=January 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221102014/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23069680-601,00.html|archive-date=February 21, 2009|url-status=dead}} Glenn Inwood, a spokesperson for the whalers from the Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR), said that the activists were being held in an unlocked office, but were being guarded.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080118153006/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/16/2139273.htm Sea Shepherd demands activists' release] ABC News, January 16, 2008, accessed January 16, 2008 In another statement, they stated that the action of boarding their vehicle was illegal and that the men were being held pending decisions on their future.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7189580.stm|work=BBC News|title=Japanese detain whaling activists|date=January 15, 2008|access-date=May 19, 2010}}

On January 16 the ICR issued a statement claiming that the protesters had thrown canisters of acid on board the ship and attempted to damage property. They also denied claims that the men had been assaulted and tied to the ship's mast. Hideki Moronuki further stated that "The ICR (Institute of Cetacean Research) is ready to release the two Conservationists provided that full security can be secured for our research vessel. Sea Shepherd is a very violent organisation." In a letter faxed to Steve Irwin, the ICR stated that part of the handover conditions include that Sea Shepherd "must not take any violent action or video/photo shooting activities against us."[http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23063842-5001021,00.html Whalers won't release hostages] Daily Telegraph, February 17, 2008, accessed January 17, 2008 The acid in question was, according to Sea Shepherd, butyric acid, which was used not to damage the ship itself but to render the work-deck unusable due to its foul and long-lasting smell.[http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_070217_1.html Sea Shepherd – How We Destroyed the Nisshin Maru] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112090732/http://seashepherd.org/news/media_070217_1.html |date=January 12, 2008 }}

On January 17, the Australian customs ship {{MV|Oceanic Viking}} started preparation to transfer the two men held on the whaling vessel.[http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,25197,23064648-601,00.html Australian ship Oceanic Viking may end Japanese whaling hostage drama] Daily Telegraph, January 17, 2008, accessed January 17, 2008 On the morning of January 18, the two men were safely transferred to the {{MV|Oceanic Viking}}.[https://archive.today/20120711085151/http://news.theage.com.au/antiwhaling-pair-return-to-sea-shepherd/20080118-1mnk.html Anti-Whaling pair return to Sea Shepherd] After an investigation by the Australian Federal Police, no criminal action was taken against the conservationists.[http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23068974-2,00.html?from=mostpop Canberra casts off whaling activists] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121172001/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C23068974-2%2C00.html?from=mostpop |date=January 21, 2008 }}

Both sides accused the other of terrorism during the incident. The ICR called the butyric acid attack on Yūshin Maru No. 2 an "inhumane terrorist attack" and called on the Australian Government to seize the Steve Irwin.{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/whale-watch/protesters-turn-on-each-other-in-sea-hunt-for-whalers/2008/01/19/1200620274594.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|title=Protesters turn on each other in sea hunt for whalers|date=January 20, 2008}} Conversely, Steve Irwin 1st Officer Peter Brown stated that "the Institute of Cetacean Research is acting like a terrorist organisation [...] Here they are taking hostages and making demands. Our policy is that we don't respond to terrorist demands."{{cite web|url=http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_080116_2.html|title=Japanese Whalers Make Demands for Return of Hostages|publisher=Sea Shepherd News|date=January 16, 2008|access-date=February 5, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218203215/http://seashepherd.org/news/media_080116_2.html|archive-date=February 18, 2008|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080409/NEWS/804090347 |title=Cape man fights whalers |publisher=CapeCodOnline.com |access-date=July 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708115351/http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080409%2FNEWS%2F804090347 |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }}

Following the March 3 clashes between Sea Shepherd members aboard Steve Irwin and Japanese whalers, the Dutch government announced that it was investigating the incident as the vessel sails under the Dutch flag.{{cite web|url=http://www.minbuza.nl/en/News/Newsflashes/2008/03/The_Netherlands_investigates_anti_whaling_campaign|title=The Netherlands investigates anti-whaling campaign|date=March 5, 2008|access-date=December 9, 2009}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On February 6, Steve Irwin collided with the vessel Yūshin Maru No. 2 ({{langx|ja|第2勇新丸}}) and later with the vessel Yūshin Maru No. 3 ({{langx|ja|第3勇新丸}}) while they were whaling in the Southern Ocean.{{cite web|url=http://www.icrwhale.org/pdf/090206-3Release.pdf|title=MEDIA|access-date=July 22, 2011}} The Japanese-based Institute of Cetacean Research claimed that MY Steve Irwin deliberately turned into the stern side of the vessel Yūshin Maru No. 3 to ram her. Video footage of the incident was later released by the institute showing the incident.{{cite AV media |url=http://www.icrwhale.org/eng/090206SS2.wmv |title=090206SS2.wmv |format=WMV |author= Institute of Cetacean Research (Japan) |date=6 February 2009 }} Steve Irwin{{'}}s operator Paul Watson denied the ramming, saying "They weren't rammed, two vessels collided—the Yushin Maru 3 and the Steve Irwin when they shot in front of us to transfer whale."{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2485138.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210105855/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2485138.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 10, 2009|title=Garrett urges calm as whaling conflict escalates – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)|work=Abc.net.au|date=February 7, 2009|access-date=July 22, 2011}}

For the next year, the ship was drydocked in Brisbane while repairs to the hull and other alterations could be made. Included in these renovations was the installation of Steve Irwin{{'}}s own water cannon for use in campaigns.{{cite web|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/spaceship-boosts-antiwhaling-force-against-japans-might-20090626-cyi4.html|title='Spaceship' boosts anti-whaling force against Japan's might|work=Brisbanetimes.com.au|date=June 26, 2009|access-date=July 22, 2011}} After three days, a suspected Japanese-chartered aircraft located the Steve Irwin en route to the Southern Ocean and instructed the {{MV|Shōnan Maru 2}} to observe the movements of the vessel. Heavy swells barred the Delta from reaching the vessel, and, upon arrival, a Japanese LRAD was used against the helicopter which forced it to stand down.Whale Wars, Season 3, Episode 1: "Surrounded by Spies" For the next two weeks, Shōnan Maru 2 continued to observe Steve Irwin, despite continued attempts by the ship to lose the tail. Ultimately, Steve Irwin returned to Australia, where Shōnan Maru was unable to track her due to a heavy storm, in addition to legal complications.

In January 2010, the ship continued to hunt for the Japanese fleet. After the loss of {{MY|Ady Gil}} in a collision with Shonan Maru No.2, Steve Irwin met up with {{MY|Bob Barker}}, with which she exchanged fuel, supplies, and crew.{{cite web|url=http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/editorial-100208-1.html|title=Countering Japan's Ministry of Truth|publisher=Sea Shepherd|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=July 22, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414113932/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/editorial-100208-1.html|archive-date=April 14, 2010|df=mdy-all}} The ship then returned to Fremantle to restock, departing on January 30.{{cite web|url=http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-100202-1.html|title=Steve Irwin Rejoins Pursuit of Illegal Whalers|publisher=Sea Shepherd|date=February 2, 2010|access-date=July 22, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026212734/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-100202-1.html|archive-date=October 26, 2010|df=mdy-all}} In the meantime, Bob Barker had located the factory ship, Nisshin Maru, and was tailing the ship. On February 8, Steve Irwin joined Bob Barker in pursuit of Nisshin Maru. Once the two Sea Shepherd vessels had linked up, Steve Irwin took up position behind Nisshin Maru to obstruct the factory ships slipway and engaged her with water cannon. On February 15, Pete Bethune departed from Steve Irwin on a jet ski, boarding Shōnan Maru 2. He was subsequently detained and later arrested by the Japan Coast Guard for trespassing.{{cite news|title=Japan indicts anti-whaling activist|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/04/02/japan.activist.indicted/index.html|publisher=CNN|date=April 3, 2010|access-date=April 3, 2010}}{{cite news|title=Japan charges New Zealand whaling activist Pete Bethune|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8600458.stm|publisher=BBC|date=April 3, 2010|access-date=April 3, 2010}}{{cite news|title=Japanese Coast Guard Arrests Anti-Whaling Skipper|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/world/asia/13whale.html| work= The New York Times|date=March 12, 2010|access-date=March 12, 2010|first1=Martin|last1=Fackler|first2=Mark|last2=McDonald}} The two ships remained behind the whaler until Steve Irwin was forced to return to Australia on February 18, arriving in Hobart on March 6.{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}}

In late February 2011, during Operation No Compromise, Steve Irwin was contacted by the Royal New Zealand Navy to take part in the search for Berserk, a polar exploration vessel owned by renowned explorer Jarle Andhøy, which had activated her emergency transponder near McMurdo Sound during a storm. The search was eventually called off after Steve Irwin found an empty life raft, which was later confirmed to have been from Berserk. The three people on board are presumed dead.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4709377/Three-die-in-Viking-yacht-off-Antarctica|title = Three die in 'Viking' yacht off Antarctica|date = February 26, 2011}}

Steve Irwin began patrolling the territorial waters of Libya in June 2011 in an effort to spot unauthorised bluefin tuna fishing boats and cut their fishing nets. She was met with attempts by some fishermen to incapacitate it, to which it responded with water hoses and stink bombs.{{cite news|last=Melvin|first=Don|title=Eco-group's founder uses 'aggressive nonviolence'|url=http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/06/13/activists_search_for_tuna_boats_with_helicopter/|access-date=July 6, 2011|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=June 13, 2011|agency=Associated Press|quote=He hoped to find boats whose names were not on the ICCAT list at all, making them clearly illegal. Those he would confront, sending in divers to cut the nets and free the tuna.}}{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Environmentalists-tuna-fishers-battle-at-sea-1418436.php|title=Environmentalists, tuna fishers battle at sea|last=Melvin|first=Don|date=June 11, 2011|newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=July 6, 2011|agency=Associated Press|quote=The fishermen also attempted to lay a rope in front of the activists' boat, the Steve Irwin—owned by the U.S.-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society—hoping to disable it. Environmentalists responded with fire hoses and stink bombs.}}{{dead link|date=May 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} On July 15, 2011 the ship was held by the British Government due to a pending lawsuit by a Maltese fishing company.{{cite web|url=http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2011/07/19/emergency-sos-from-captain-paul-watson-save-our-ship-1263|title=Emergency SOS from Captain Paul Watson: Save Our Ship!|publisher=Sea Shepherd Conservation Society|date=July 19, 2011|access-date=July 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120013043/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2011/07/19/emergency-sos-from-captain-paul-watson-save-our-ship-1263|archive-date=January 20, 2012|url-status=dead}} The ship was released on August 2, 2011 after a bond of £520,000 was posted.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110821/local/would-sea-shepherd-reimburse-donations-if-they-lose-case-fish-fish-asks.381232|title=Would Sea Shepherd reimburse donations if they lose case, Fish & Fish asks|work=timesofmalta.com|date=August 21, 2011|access-date=September 10, 2011}} {{As of|2011|9}}, the ship was docked in the South Quay of West India Dock, London.{{cite web|url=http://www.yellowad.co.uk/news.cfm?id=32432&headline=Sea%20Shepherds%20cruise%20in%20to%20West%20India%20Quay|title=Sea Shepherds cruise in to West India Quay|work=yellowad.co.uk|date=September 1, 2011|access-date=September 10, 2011}}

In December, Steve Irwin joined Bob Barker and Brigitte Bardot in locating and pursuing the Japanese whaling fleet, which had passed by off the western Australian coast, on the way to the Southern Ocean for whaling operations. A drone surveillance aircraft launched from Steve Irwin located the whaling fleet some 500 miles off the southwest coast of Australia on December 24.[http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2011/12/24/sea-shepherd-intercepts-the-japanese-whaling-fleet-with-drones-1299 SeaShepherd News – Sea Shepherd Intercepts the Japanese Whaling Fleet with Drones] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727055740/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2011/12/24/sea-shepherd-intercepts-the-japanese-whaling-fleet-with-drones-1299 |date=July 27, 2013 }} December 24, 2011[http://ca.news.yahoo.com/conservationists-drones-monitor-japanese-whaling-fleet-southern-ocean-233702524.html  – The Canadian Press – Conservationists use drones to monitor Japanese whaling fleet in Southern Ocean] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121180450/http://ca.news.yahoo.com/conservationists-drones-monitor-japanese-whaling-fleet-southern-ocean-233702524.html |date=January 21, 2012 }} The Canadian Press – Sat, December 24, 2011 After chasing the fleet for four days, Steve Irwin had to break off and escort Brigitte Bardot back to Fremantle, after Brigitte Bardot was damaged by a rogue wave.[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/sea-shepherd-anti-whaling-ship-badly-damaged-by-rogue-wave-in-southern-ocean/story-e6frg6nf-1226232416751 TheAustralian.com Sea Shepherd anti-whaling ship damaged by rogue wave in Southern Ocean] – Lanai Vasek from The Australian, 30 December 2011 11:13AM

File:Steve Irwin at Williamstown August 2016.jpg

On January 5 Steve Irwin arrived in Fremantle Harbour escorting the severely damaged Brigitte Bardot from the Southern Ocean, monitored by the Japanese whaling ship Shōnan Maru 2.[http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/steve-irwin-to-head-back-to-southern-ocean-20120106-1pnx4.html The Sydney Morning Herald – Steve Irwin to head back to Southern Ocean] January 6, 2012 – 7:34PM While in port, Steve Irwin defied an order by the Fremantle harbourmaster to lower her Jolly Roger-styled flag after docking in Fremantle.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-06/sea-shepherd-refuses-to-take-down-flag/3761522?section=wa|title=Sea Shepherd refuses to take down pirate-like flag|work=ABC News|date=January 6, 2012|access-date=January 6, 2012}} After departing the port, a team from environmentalist group "Forest Rescue Australia" approached and illegally{{cite news | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/australia-japan-whaling-idUSL3E8C90YH20120109 | title = UPDATE 1-Australia urges release of whaling activists on Japan ship | first = Rob | last = Taylor | work = Reuters | date = January 8, 2012| access-date = February 5, 2012 }} boarded the security ship Shōnan Maru 2, climbing over spikes and razor wire in international waters{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whale-watch/japan-urged-to-hand-back-whaling-activists-20120109-1prbd.html|title=Japan urged to hand back whaling activists|date=January 9, 2012|work=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=February 5, 2012|publisher=Fairfax Media|location=Sydney|quote=The three Australian men, who the Japanese whalers claim illegally boarded the whaling security vessel Shonan Maru 2 in darkness off the coast of Western Australia state on Sunday, were subject to Japanese laws because they had been detained on the high seas; however, the men were never charged because while in violation of International maritime law, Australian conservation law protected the men. Australia's Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said on Monday.}} off the coast of Bunbury, Western Australia with the assistance of small boat crews from the Steve Irwin.{{cite news | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/australia-japan-whaling-idUSB32896820120108 | title = Activists board Japanese whaling vessel-Sea Shepherd | location = Sydney | date = January 7, 2012| work = Reuters }} While Japan agreed to release the activists, the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard slammed the action as "unacceptable" and warned that others who carry out similar protests would be "charged and convicted".{{cite news | url = http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whale-watch/gillard-slams-whaling-activists-as-japanese-agree-to-release-20120110-1ps7v.html | title = Gillard slams whaling activists as Japanese agree to release | first = Tim | last = Lester | date = January 10, 2012 | location = Sydney | work = Sydney Morning Herald | publisher = Fairfax Media | access-date = February 5, 2012 }}

On February 20, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society founder Paul Watson claimed the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru rammed Steve Irwin, {{MY|Sam Simon}} and Bob Barker multiple times in a confrontation in the Southern Ocean, north of Australia's Casey Research Station in Antarctica.{{cite news| url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Sea-Shepherd-claims-victory-in-Southern-Ocean-after-collisions/tabid/417/articleID/287594/Default.aspx| work=3 News NZ| first=Kim| last=Choe| title=Sea Shepherd claims victory over whalers| date=February 21, 2013| access-date=February 20, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926081649/http://www.3news.co.nz/Sea-Shepherd-claims-victory-in-Southern-Ocean-after-collisions/tabid/417/articleID/287594/Default.aspx| archive-date=September 26, 2013| url-status=dead| df=mdy-all}}

On December 2, 2018 Sea Shepherd announced that the ship will be retired, stripped and recycled in China, and the {{MY|Ocean Warrior}} will be taking its spot as the flagship vessel of the fleet.[https://maritime-executive.com/article/sea-shepherd-to-retire-flagship-m-y-steve-Irwin Sea Shepherd to Retire Flagship M/Y Steve Irwin]. The Maritime Executive. 2 December 2018.[https://safety4sea.com/sea-shepherd-to-scrap-m-y-steve-irwin/ Sea Shepherd to scrap M/Y Steve Irwin]. Safety4Sea 8 December 2018.

Following news of the ship's possible scrapping, the ship was saved by Kerrie Goodall, founder of the Ship4Good Philanthropic Organization, successfully leading the "Save the Steve" campaign. The Steve Irwin was moored in Williamstown, Victoria, with possible uses and future location of the ship being discussed. The 'Steve' is recognised as a historic ship by the Australian Maritime Museum. Currently there is a basic Sea Shepherd Museum, bar, cafe, ship tours, weekend and monthly events {{Cite web |url=https://www.starweekly.com.au/news/sea-shepherds-steve-irwin-ship-saved-from-scrapheap |title=Star Weekly | Sea Shepherd's Steve Irwin ship saved from scrapheap - Star Weekly |access-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607012345/https://www.starweekly.com.au/news/sea-shepherds-steve-irwin-ship-saved-from-scrapheap/ |url-status=dead }}

The vessel is temporarily in Newcastle Harbour for repairs and plans to eventually head north to Brisbane. {{cite news | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-10/sea-shepherd-my-steve-irwin-finds-temporary-retirement-home/101200986 | title=Kerrie bought this iconic anti-whaling ship for $10. She and 'the Admiral' have big plans | newspaper=ABC News | date=July 10, 2022 }}

The main engines of the Steve Irwin were restarted for the first time in 5 years. And a team began working on the vessel to get her back to sea, to work in another activist role towards ocean and wildlife conservation. {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PET8UQjPTQ|title=Can we start this old ship up after 5 years?|date=December 25, 2024|author=DIYLIFE|publisher=Youtube}}

• Neptune's Navy, a list of vessels operated by Sea Shepherd

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|IMO 7340370}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071110235235/http://www.seashepherd.org/fleet/fleet.html Sea Shepherd Fleet]

{{SSCS}}

{{Island class opv}}

{{Steve Irwin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Steve Irwin (ship, 1975)}}

Category:Ships built in Aberdeen

Category:Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ships

Category:Maritime incidents in 2013

Category:Ships built by Hall, Russell & Company

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:Steve Irwin