November 12, 2023

We took on the Soviet whaling fleet in the North Pacific. We had very little to work with, an 85-foot fishing boat and three small inflatables. Fourteen crew, all from Canada.

It was, however, the first time anyone opposed the whalers on the high sea, the first time anyone blocked a harpoon to save a whale and it launched the Save the Whales movement.

Captain John Cormack (deceased)

First Mate Paul Watson

2nd Mate Patrick Moore 

Russian Interpreter and Bosun George Korotva

Campaign leader Bob Hunter (deceased)

Cook David Garrick. (deceased)

Dive Master Carli Truman

Photographer Rex Weyler

Cameraman Ron Precious 

Cameraman Fred Easton (deceased)

Engineer Al Hewitt

Musician deckhand Will Jackson (deceased)

Musician deckhand Melville Gregory (deceased)

Japanese translator Taeko Miwa

I am proud to have been there with such dynamic and passionate friends who pioneered the Save the Whales Movement.

The year this happened, the following nations were killing whales. 1. Australia 2. Spain 3. South Korea. 4. Peru 5. Chile. 6. Norway 7. Iceland. 8. Denmark 9. Japan 10. Peru.

Four whaling nations remain: Norway, Japan, Iceland and Denmark. Before I die my wish is that these four nations end whaling.

Photo: Left to right. George Korotva, Paul Watson and photographer Rex Weyler