Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Delta RIB used by Sea Shepherd
Delta RIB used by Sea Shepherd

Delta RIB used by Sea Shepherd

Date1975
Object number00055371
NameRigid Inflatable Boat (RIB)
MediumFibreglass Rubber
DimensionsOverall: 2,580 x 6,800 x 2,600 mm, 1,130 kg
ClassificationsVessels and fittings
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection
Collections
DescriptionDelta RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) used by the non-profit conservation organisation, Sea Shepherd. The black inflatable rubber boat features shark jaws painted on the hull at the bow. The boat’s deck is fitted with four seats with cushioned backs, a centre console on the front and a black tubular targa arch on the back with a white SIMRAD radar attached to the top. There are two signs that read ‘PU781’ attached to the sides of the arch. From 2008-2015, the STEVE IRWIN and its tenders, including this Delta RIB, featured in seven seasons of the Animal Planet show 'Whale Wars'.HistorySea Shepherd Australia is a non-profit conservation organisation whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Sea Shepherd Australia used innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. Their current mission is to safeguard the biodiversity of our delicately balanced oceanic ecosystems and ensure their survival for future generations. This Delta RIB was used by the Sea Shepherd vessel MY STEVE IRWIN crew to conduct marine biological and ecological research and non-violent direct action against whaling, shark finning and fishing vessel engaged in illegal bycatch, via various voyages (operations) in Australian and international waters from 2006-2018. Over the course of service with the STEVE IRWIN, the Delta RIB was directly involved in a number of confrontations in the Southern Ocean with Japanese whaling vessels. It became synonymous with growing public awareness of Sea Shepherd's activities in the region as it enabled activist to get closer to the whalers than previously. This resulted in heightened tensions particularly in 2008 when activists Benjamin Potts and Giles Lane attempted to board a Japanese vessel. They were captured by the whalers who held them hostage until they were picked up by the Australian Customs vessel OCEANIC VIKING and returned to the STEVE IRWIN. This incident was widely covered in national and international media. More recently the work of Sea Shepherd has changed to become one of collaboration and raising awareness. In 2016, Sea Shepherd Australia conducted Operation Jeedara, a response to a BP and Chevron request to explore for oil and gas in the Great Australian Bight. With a film crew on board, Sea Shepherd documented the biodiversity of the Great Australian Bight. They returned to port to find that both BP and Chevron had pulled out from requests to explore in the Bight and claimed the operation a success. The Operation Jeedera film was released in 2017. SignificanceUsed in most Sea Shepherd Australia operations from 2007-present including Operation Migaloo where it was deployed from MY STEVE IRWIN and used to board the Japanese whaling vessel YUSHIN MARU on 5 January 2008.