Japanese Whalers Attack Sea Shepherds The Bob Barker

February 6 2010, the Sea Shepherd Ship Bob Barker's hull is gashed open by Japanese harpoon vessel Yushin Maru 3 in Antarctic water.

Four harpoon ships, the Yushin Maru 1, 2, and 3 and Shonan Maru 2, were circling and making near passes to the stern and bow of the Sea Shepherd vessel.

The Bob Barker did not move from its position, at which point, the Yushin Maru 3 intentionally rammed the Bob Barker, creating a three-foot (90cm) long 4-inch (10cm) deep gash in the mid starboard side of the Sea Shepherd vessel above the waterline.

No crew members were injured during the collision.

This incident demonstrates a continued escalation of violence by the illegal whalers in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.