It’s been more than a year since “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin died from a stingray attack off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, but his legacy is being kept afloat in a unique way.
A conservation group just renamed one of its ships the “Steve Irwin.” The newly named vessel will form the backbone of the U.S.-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s Antarctic mission. Group leaders say they plan to use the ship to disrupt Japan’s annual whale hunt, and they are sure the late environmental activist wouldn’t want it any other way.
With the support of Irwin’s widow, Terri, the group rededicated its flagship vessel prior to setting off on its latest mission–to block Japan from harvesting up to 50 humpbacks, 935 minkes and 50 fin whales in Antarctic waters as part of an oceanic research program that critics decry as commercial whaling in disguise.
“Whales have always been in Steve’s heart, and in 2006 he was investigating the possibility of joining the Sea Shepherd on part of its journey to defend these beautiful animals,” Terri Irwin said in a statement to the media.
The new christened “Steve Irwin” is a massive black-and-red vessel, which flies a pirate flag featuring a skull over a trident and a shepherd’s hook. The ship had previously been named for the Canadian anti-whaling campaigner Robert Hunter. But, Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson said the television star shared the group’s passion for saving whales and he felt it was only right to honor the spirited environmentalist with the name change.
“Steve wanted to come to Antarctica with us to defend the whales, and now he will be joining us in spirit with his name emblazoned” on the ship, Watson said in a statement.
Of course, the renaming ceremony was not without its critics. Some say Irwin’s name should not be associated with Sea Shepherd since the group doesn’t exactly have the most stellar reputation. The anti-whaling governments of Australia and New Zealand reportedly oppose the group’s violent tactics in trying to stop whale hunters. Government leaders in Australia say Steve Irwin was a non-violent man and having his name appear on a ship for a group that employs questionable tactics is inappropriate.
What do you thing about the ship’s new name?
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