Activist Vessel Collides with Krill Harvesting Vessel off Antarctica

An environmental activist vessel deliberately collided with a Norwegian krill harvesting vessel near Antarctica on Tuesday, damaging its hull, the vessel's owner, Aker QRILL Company, said on Wednesday.

The company said the Norway-flagged trawler Antarctic Sea was deliberately struck by Bandero, a 65-metre (213 ft) vessel operated by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation.

Aker QRILL said Bandero struck near the stern of its vessel, where its diesel fuel tank sits, causing minor damage.

"If the steel plates ... had ruptured, it could have caused a spill. It was probably just luck that it didn't cause more damage," Chief Executive Webjoern Barstad said.

Before the collision, activists unsuccessfully attempted to damage the fishing nets of another krill harvester, Antarctic Endurance, he added.

FOUNDATION NOW SAYS COLLISION WAS DELIBERATE

The foundation said initially on Wednesday it was "an accidental collision" and it was committed to "lawful, responsible, non-violent action in defence of marine ecosystems."

Later it sent another statement saying its ship "made deliberate contact" with Aker QRILL's vessel after issuing prior warnings.

"The action was taken solely to deliver a clear and targeted message: we will actively oppose and disrupt operations that threaten vulnerable marine ecosystems," it added.

The Captain Paul Watson