PERREAULT Magazine MAY | JUNE 2016 | Page 50

Perreault Magazine - 50 -

With the BOB BARKER in continuous pursuit of the THUNDER from the coast of Antarctica northward into the Indian Ocean, the SAM SIMON with the confiscated nets stowed away, turned, tracked and found the KUNLUN, YONG DING and PERON. When the New Zealand Navy arrived, the SAM SIMON thinking the three poachers were now in the hands of the authorities, broke off to follow and assist the BOB BARKER in a chase that rounded the Cape of Good Hope and up the West coast of Africa as far as the Equator.

Captain Peter Hammarstedt on the BOB BARKER and Captain Sid Chakravarty on the SAM SIMON and their two crews of international volunteers were relentless.

The THUNDER could not sneak into any port with their illegal cargo as long as Sea Shepherd stayed hot on their stern and the BOB BARKER was like a shadow the THUNDER could not shake off.

As the chase carried on, the SAM SIMON delivered the evidence to Mauritius, and Interpol flew in to inspect the seized net and to initiate an official investigation.

Sam Simon vessel