southern ocean operations

Oceanic Viking whaling surveillance  

Operational updates

Operational update 18 January 2008 1500 AEST - Retrieval of Sea Shepherd activists

The Customs patrol vessel Oceanic Viking rendezvoused with the Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No.2 in the Southern Ocean approximately 3500 km south-west of Western Australia in the early hours of 18 Jan 2008 (AEST).

Customs officers used the Oceanic Viking's tenders to approach the Yushin Maru No.2 and retrieve two anti-whaling activists from the conservation vessel Steve Irwin.

Customs officers did not board the Japanese vessel and the transfer occurred without incident.

The activists were returned to their own vessel, the Steve Irwin, later the same day (18 January 2008).

This compile also includes vision of the Oceanic Viking encountering icebergs in the Southern Ocean the day before the retrieval.

Photo gallery

Please credit photos to Australian Customs

Arnela rescue

Media releases

Photo gallery

Sound

Audio grabs from Customs Contingent Leader Tim Spencer, of the Customs Marine Unit, on board the Oceanic Viking. It was recorded via satellite telephone on 21 December 2004.

Viarsa chase

Operational updates

 		  

Operational update Friday 03 October 2003, 1100 EST. Viarsa 1 formally seized by Australia

The Australian Government has formally seized the Uruguayan-flagged fishing boat Viarsa 1 and its catch following the arrival of the vessel in Fremantle, Western Australia today (3 October 2003).

Customs Minister Senator Chris Ellison and Fisheries Minister Senator Ian Macdonald welcomed home the Fisheries, Customs and Navy personnel who took part in the pursuit and apprehension of the Viarsa 1.

The Viarsa 1 arrived in Fremantle with its escort, the Australian Customs and Fisheries patrol vessel Southern Supporter, exactly eight weeks after it was first sighted and challenged in Australian waters in the remote Southern Ocean.

After a hot pursuit stretching 3,900 nautical miles - the longest chase in Australian maritime history - fisheries officers with operational support from South Africa and the United Kingdom boarded the Viarsa 1 in the Atlantic Ocean on 28 August and directed it to the nearest Australian port.

The Southern Supporter and the Viarsa 1 (jpg 195KB) 03/10/03
(Please credit Australian Customs.)

The Southern Supporter (jpg 155KB) 03/10/03
(Please credit Australian Customs.)

 		  

Operational update Friday 12 September 2003, 0900 EST. Viarsa and Southern Supporter leave South African waters

Australian Customs and Fisheries vessel Southern Supporter and alleged illegal fishing vessel Viarsa are on their way to Australia after reprovisioning and refuelling off Cape Town, South Africa.

The Viarsa left South African waters on 10 September under the control of a steaming party from the Royal Australian Navy. The Southern Supporter has now also completed formalities in Cape Town and sailed for Australia.

Both vessels are expected to arrive in Fremantle, Western Australia, on or about 4 October 2003.

 		  

Operational update Monday 08 September 2003, 1200 EST. Customs contingent leader describes Viarsa boarding

Customs contingent leader Steve Duffy has spoken about the boarding of the Viarsa and the hot pursuit of the vessel, allegedly detecting fishing illegally in Australia's waters.

In a satellite phone call from the Southern Supporter, he describes events leading up to the boarding and how it was carried out.

The Southern Supporter and Viarsa have now been refuelled and reprovisioned in preparation for their journey to Fremantle, Western Australia.

Interview with Customs officer on board the Southern Supporter, MP3 file 5.0MB (04/09/03)

The interview is conducted by Customs Media and Public Affairs Manager, Matt Wardell. He is speaking to Contingent Leader Steve Duffy, of the Marine Unit, on board the Southern Supporter. The interview has been edited to remove some questions and delays caused by the satellite telephone transmission.It was recorded on Wedensday 03 September 2003.

Duration: approximately 10min 30sec

 		  

Operational update Friday 5 September 2003, 1400 EST. Southern Supporter due in Cape Town today

The Southern Supporter is due to arrive in Cape Town at 0800 local time (1600 EST) today, following the record hot pursuit of alleged illegal fishing vessel Viarsa.

A media conference is expected to held in alongside the Southern Supporter at approximately 1000 local time (1800 EST).

The Australian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ian Wilcock, Australian Customs contingent leader Steve Duffy, and representatives from the South African Department of the Environment and Tourism will speak at the media conference.

Responsibility for the Viarsa has now been transferred from Customs to the Australian Defence Force.

 		  

Operational update Wednesday 3 September 2003, 0900 EST. Vessels prepare for replenishment at sea

The Southern Supporter and Viarsa continue to head north-east towards Cape Town to rendezvous with a South African naval ship at sea.

The two vessels have already received some supplies via helicopterfrom the South African ship SA Agulhas, which is now returning to Marion Island.

The Southern Supporter and Viarsa are approximately 800 nm from Cape Town, with morale on both vessels reported to be high.

A contingent of Australian naval personnel arrived in Cape Town on 02 September and is scheduled to embark on the South African naval vessel Drakensberg today.

The Drakensberg will meet the Viarsa and Southern Supporter at sea to transfer personnel and additional equipment. The Australian naval contingent will then assume responsibility for the Viarsa on its voyage back to Australia.

The Southern Supporter passed Gough Island on 31 August, the first land sighted since departing Fremantle, Western Australia on 22 July 2003.

 		  

Operational update Monday 1 September 2003, 0900 EST. Australian maritime's longest hot pursuit over

The longest hot pursuit in Australia's maritime history came to an end on Thursday 28 August when Australian Customs and Fisheries officers from the Southern Supporter, supported by South African enforcement officers, boarded the alleged illegal fishing vessel, Viarsa 1, in the South Atlantic.

The chase began on 7 August when the Southern Supporter allegedly sighted the Viarsa 1 operating illegally inside the Australian Fishing Zone in the Southern Ocean.

In the following 21 days, the vessels covered 3,900 nautical miles through some of the most inhospitable seas and weather conditions.

The Viarsa 1, escorted by the Southern Supporter, is now being brought back to Fremantle, Western Australia. The vessels are expected to arrive in late September.

 		  

Operational update Thursday 28 August 2003, 0600 EST. Customs and Fisheries officers board Viarsa 1

Australian Customs and Fisheries officers from the Southern Supporter, supported by armed South African enforcement officers, today boarded the alleged illegal fishing vessel Viarsa 1 in the South Atlantic.

The boarding occurred at 1.50am AEST (3.50pm local time).

South African ocean-going tug John Ross and British fisheries patrol vessel Dorada provided support at the scene, some 2000 nautical miles south-west of Cape Town, South Africa.

No injuries were reported to the boarding party or the Viarsa 1's crew.

The Viarsa 1 was allegedly detected fishing illegally inside the Australian Fishing Zone near Heard Island and McDonald Islands on 7 August 2003.

The boarding brings to a close a 21-day, 3900 nautical mile chase - the longest in Australia's maritime history.

Media release: Viarsa is boarded - Thursday 28 August 2003

Boarding the Viarsa 1 (jpg 175KB) 28/08/03
CAPTION: Australian Customs and Fisheries officers from the Southern Supporter, supported by armed South African enforcement officers, board the Viarsa 1 as the crew musters at the stern of the vessel. (Please credit Australian Customs.)

Boarding the Viarsa 1 (jpg 201KB) 28/08/03
CAPTION: Australian Customs and Fisheries officers from the Southern Supporter, supported by armed South African enforcement officers, board the Viarsa 1. (Please credit Australian Customs.)

Dorada and Viarsa 1 (jpg 194KB) 28/08/03
CAPTION: British Fisheries patrol vessel Dorada shadows the Viarsa 1. (Please credit Australian Customs.)

 		  

Operational update Wednesday 27 August 2003, 0600 EST. South African and UK vessels close in on Viarsa 1

An international contingent of vessels has converged on the alleged illegal fishing vessel Viarsa 1 in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Overnight a South African ocean-going salvage tug has rendezvoused with the Australian Customs and Fisheries patrol vessel Southern Supporter and the Viarsa 1.

The John Ross left Cape Town on 21 August with an Australian fisheries officer and armed South African fisheries officers on board to join the pursuit of the Viarsa 1.

In addition, a UK fisheries vessel based at the Falkland Islands has arrived to join the pursuit.

All four vessels are now in visual range of each other approximately 1800 nautical miles west-south-west of Cape Town.

The South African polar ice-breaker SA Agulhas is still proceeding to the scene to offer additional support as required.

The operation is continuing.

The record-breaking hot pursuit of the Viarsa 1 by the Southern Supporter has now entered its 20th day.

It has covered more than 4000 nautical miles (7400km) since the Viarsa 1 was allegedly detected fishing illegally inside the Australian Fishing Zone near Heard Island and McDonald Islands on 7 August 2003.

Media release: Diplomatic negotiations continue for apprehension of Viarsa - Wednesday 27 August 2003

Media release: South African and UK vessels close on Viarsa - Wednesday 27 August 2003

Track of the Southern Supporter (jpg 24KB) 27/08/03
CAPTION: The track of the Southern Supporter from its departure from Fremantle to Heard Island and its subsequent pursuit of the Viarsa 1. (Please credit Australian Customs.)
Track of the Southern Supporter print quality (PDF 18KB) 27/08/03

Southern Supporter navigating through the ice with the Viarsa 1 in the distance (jpg 103KB) 27/08/03
CAPTION: View from the starboard side of the Southern Supporter showing the Viarsa 1 in the distance (Please credit Australian Customs.)

Southern Supporter navigating through the ice (jpg 93KB) 27/08/03
CAPTION: View from the stern of the Southern Supporter during its hot pursiuit of the Viarsa 1 (Please credit Australian Customs.)

South African sea-going salvage tug John Ross (jpg 67KB) 27/08/03
CAPTION: The South African sea-going salvage tug John Ross (pictured alongside a wharf) has joined the Southern Supporter and a UK fisheries vessel in hot pursuit of the Viarsa 1 in the South Atlantic Ocean. The John Ross is carrying a party of armed fisheries officers.

 		  

Operational update Tuesday 26 August 2003, 0900 EST. Ice joined by snow in Southern Ocean

The Southern Supporter and Viarsa have encountered snow and more icebergs during the past 24 hours in the Southern Ocean.

The record-breaking hot pursuit of the alleged illegal fishing vessel has now entered its 19th day.

Icebergs are still common, with the Australian Customs and Fisheries patrol vessel reporting one of the largest at one kilometre long and 50 metres high. Navigation continues to be hazardous.

Both vessels have steamed a further 200 nautical miles west-north-west since yesterday. They are now some 1730 nautical miles to the south-west of Cape Town and 1800 nautical miles east-north-east of the Falkland Islands.

The Viarsa, which repainted its name and registration number onto its hull over the weekend, has declared its destination as Montevideo, Uruguay.

The Australian Government continues to urge the vessel to comply with the legal directions of the Southern Supporter and follow it to the nearest port.

Viarsa and iceberg (jpg 36KB) 26/08/03
CAPTION: The alleged illegal fishing vessel Viarsa passes by a large iceberg in the Southern Ocean on 25 August 2003. (Please credit Australian Customs.)

 		  

 Operational update Monday 25 August 2003, 0900 EST. Hot pursuit in 'Iceberg Alley' sets record

The Southern Supporter has set an Australian record for a high seas pursuit of an alleged illegal fishing vessel.

The Australian Customs and Fisheries patrol vessel has now been following the fishing vessel Viarsa westward across the Southern Ocean for the past 18 days.

Both vessels are now steaming through a field of extremely large icebergs, making the pursuit difficult.

The Southern Supporter has sighted 72 icebergs in the past 24 hours. Dubbed 'Iceberg Alley' by the crew, the Southern Supporter reports steaming conditions as "navigationally challenging".

The Viarsa was allegedly detected fishing illegally near Heard Island on 7 August 2003. Since then both vessels have travelled approximately 3700 nautical miles (6800km) from the island.

Both vessels are now some 1500 nautical miles south-west of Cape Town and over 1900 nautical miles east-north-east of the Falkland Islands. They are currently travelling west-north-west. Weather conditions remain poor.

The previous hot pursuit record was the Southern Supporter's successful chase of another illegal fishing vessel, the South Tomi. That vessel was detected in Australia's fishing zone on 29 March 2001. A boarding was effected on 12 April 2001, approximately 3300 nautical miles (6100km) later.

(Note to editors: 1 nautical mile equals 1.852km)

Media release: Dangerous ice pursuit of Viarsa now longest in Australian maritime history - Monday 25 August 2003

The Southern Supporter pounds through huge seas in the Southern Ocean (jpg 90KB) 25/08/03
CAPTION: The Australian Fisheries and Customs patrol vessel Southern Supporter pounds through huge seas in the Southern Ocean 1500 nautical miles south west of Cape Town, South Africa on 24 August 2003. (Please credit Australian Customs.)

 		  

 Operational update Sunday 24 August 2003, 0900 EST.

Media release: The Viarsa has admitted who it is - Sunday 24 August 2003

 		  

 Operational update Friday 22 August 2003, 0900 EST. Hot pursuit: weather worsens in Southern Ocean

Weather conditions in the Southern Ocean are deteriorating again as the Southern Supporter's hot pursuit of the alleged illegal fishing vessel Viarsa enters its 15th day.

With both vessels well clear of the ice pack they are under the influence of extreme weather conditions and 50 knot winds.

They have travelled 180 nautical miles in the past 24 hours and are now some 1100 nautical miles south-south-west of Cape Town, South Africa.

The pursuit is heading north-north-west through an area containing numerous small icebergs, including 'bergy bits' and 'growlers'.

The ice build up on the Southern Supporter's decks continues to melt as the pursuit heads north-west.

The South African polar ship SA Agulhas has joined the hunt and is steaming on an intercept course towards the Southern Supporter and Viarsa.

Media release: US working with South Africa and Australia as pressure mounts on suspected illegal fishing vessel - Friday 22 August 2003

The South African polar ship SA Agulhas (jpg 72KB) 22/08/03
CAPTION: The South African helicopter-equipped polar icebreaker SA Agulhas has joined the chase of the Viarsa in the Southern Ocean. Image courtesy of the South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

 		  

 Operational update Thursday 21 August 2003, 0900 EST. Hot pursuit enters 14th day

The Southern Supporter and the Viarsa are now approximately 1200 nautical miles south-south-west of Cape Town as the hot pursuit enters its 14th day.

The two vessels have altered course slightly onto a west-north-westerly heading and have travelled a further 198 nautical miles in the past 24 hours.

Although now well clear of pack ice conditions, large icebergs still abound. The weather forecast is for gale force winds to ease today.

The ice build up reported yesterday on the Southern Supporter is slowly beginning to melt as the pursuit moves to the west-north-west. Sea conditions are moderate but are expected to deteriorate as both vessels move further away from the influence of the ice pack.

South African authorities have confirmed the polar vessel SA Agulhas has now left its base and is on its way to join the pursuit.

Customs contingent leader Steve Duffy on board the Southern Supporter (jpg 88KB) 21/08/03
CAPTION: Customs contingent leader Steve Duffy plots the course of the pursuit on board the Southern Supporter. (Please credit Australian Customs.)

 		  

 Operational update Wednesday 20 August 2003, 0900 EST. Hot pursuit vessels clear pack ice in Southern Ocean

During the past 24 hours the Southern Supporter and the Viarsa have both steamed a further 200 nautical miles.

Both vessels cleared pack ice conditions yesterday after a day on a north-westerly course and have remained on roughly the same heading.

They are now approximately 1800 nautical miles (more than 3300km) from where the Viarsa was first located by the Southern Supporter near Heard Island, and approximately 1200 nautical miles due south of Cape Town.

The Southern Supporter is maintaining visual surveillance of the Viarsa from a distance of about one kilometre.

Large icebergs are still visible and there is heavy icing on the superstructure of both vessels. The daytime temperature has risen to minus nine degrees celsius.

The Australian Government is continuing discussions with several nations, including South Africa, which are keen to support Australia's efforts to require the Viarsa to comply with Australian and international maritime laws.

Media release: Australian patrol boat encounters pack ice danger as hot pursuit of fishing vessel enters 13th day - Wednesday 20 August 2003

Fisheries officer on board the Southern Explorer in the Southern Ocean (jpg 71KB) 20/08/03
CAPTION: A Fisheries officer on board the Southern Supporter maintains visual surveillance of the Viarsa in ice conditions. (Please credit Australian Customs.)

 		  

 Operational update Tuesday 19 August 2003, 0900 EST. Hot pursuit of illegal fishing vessel continues

An Australian Customs and Fisheries patrol vessel, Southern Supporter, remains in close proximity to a suspected illegal fishing vessel, Viarsa, in the Southern Ocean and is maintaining hot pursuit. At 9am EST today (19 August) they were approximately 2200 kilometres south of Cape Town, South Africa.

They were on a north-north-westerly course, moving away from floating ice packs. Weather conditions were difficult and were expected to deteriorate.

A South African vessel, Agulhas, which has been tasked to assist in the hot pursuit, remains at its base at Marion Island because of poor weather.

Media release: Australia welcomes international support for hot pursuit of suspect fishing boat - Tuesday 19 August 2003

Interview with Customs officer on board the Southern Supporter, WAV file 3.4MB (19/08/03)
Interview with Customs officer on board the Southern Supporter, MP3 file 1.7MB (19/08/03)

The interview is conducted by the Operation Commander, Keith Johnson, of the Customs National Marine Unit in Canberra. He is speaking to Contingent Leader Steve Duffy, of the Marine Unit, on board the Southern Supporter. The interview has been edited to remove some of Mr Johnson's questions and delays caused by the satellite telephone transmission.
It was recorded on Saturday 16 August 2003.

Duration: approximately 3min 30 sec.

Fishing vessel Viarsa and an iceberg (jpg 74KB) 19/08/03
CAPTION: Fishing vessel Viarsa in the ice pack in the Southern Ocean. (Please credit Australian Customs.)

 		  

Other images (please credit Australian Customs)

Civilian patrol vessel Southern Supporter (jpg 540KB) 14/08/03
CAPTION: The civilian patrol vessel Southern Supporter, pictured here during a previous patrol, is currently pursuing the alleged illegal fishing vessel Viarsa in the Southern Ocean.

Fishing vessel Viarsa in the Southern Ocean image 1 (jpg 162KB) 13/08/03

Fishing vessel Viarsa in the Southern Ocean image 2 (jpg 34KB) 13/08/03
CAPTION: The Australian Government continues to urge Uruguay to order this vessel, the Viarsa, believed to be Uruguayan-flagged and suspected of fishing illegally in Australia's sub-Antarctic waters, to obey the instructions of the Australian vessel in hot pursuit and head to Fremantle in Western Australia.

Earlier media releases

Media release: Hot pursuit of suspect fishing vessel - update - Friday 15 August 2003

Media release: Australia will pursue suspect fishing vessel indefinitely - Thursday 14 August 2003

Media release: Hot pursuit of fishing vessel continues as Australia renews call for Uruguay to cooperate - Thursday 14 August 2003

Media release: Australian patrol in pursuit of suspected illegal fishing vessel in sub-Antarctic waters - Tuesday 12 August 2003

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4691.asp modified: 1:31 PM 22 Jul 2008