Pete Bethune: Difference between revisions

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The [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party's]] [[Chris Carter (politician)|Chris Carter]] accused the [[Government of New Zealand|New Zealand Government]] of "washing their hands of the fate" of Bethune.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10647876|title=Govt 'washing hands' of activist's fate - Greens|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=27 May 2010|accessdate=27 May 2010}}</ref> Bethune has received consular support from his government. Prime Minister [[John Key]] said "...it's worth noting that I can't get involved in a prosecution in another country any more than I can get involved in a prosecution in New Zealand. What I can do is make sure the person is being treated fairly."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/nz-offer-to-support-antiwhaler-at-trial-20100524-w7hj.html |title=NZ offer to support anti-whaler at trial |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=May 24, 2010}}</ref>
The [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party's]] [[Chris Carter (politician)|Chris Carter]] accused the [[Government of New Zealand|New Zealand Government]] of "washing their hands of the fate" of Bethune.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10647876|title=Govt 'washing hands' of activist's fate - Greens|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=27 May 2010|accessdate=27 May 2010}}</ref> Bethune has received consular support from his government. Prime Minister [[John Key]] said "...it's worth noting that I can't get involved in a prosecution in another country any more than I can get involved in a prosecution in New Zealand. What I can do is make sure the person is being treated fairly."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/nz-offer-to-support-antiwhaler-at-trial-20100524-w7hj.html |title=NZ offer to support anti-whaler at trial |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=May 24, 2010}}</ref>


Bethune has indicated that he is uncertain about continuing his anti-whaling activities with [[Sea Shepherd]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=503147 |title=Kyodo News - Story |publisher=Home.kyodo.co.jp |date= |accessdate=2010-05-27}}</ref> In a prison interview, while facing charges in court, Bethune has reportedly sought to distance himself from Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson, saying that he disagrees with his tactics and stating that "Watson is wrong". After months in detention, he told the [[Sankei Shimbun]], “I can’t accept Japanese whaling but I’m a family man, and I’m not a fighter like the [[samurai]]."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7137695.ece |author=Richard Llyod Parry |title=Anti-whaling activist pleads guilty in Japanese court |publisher=Times Online |date=May 27, 2010}}</ref>
Bethune has indicated that he is uncertain about continuing his anti-whaling activities with [[Sea Shepherd]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=503147 |title=Kyodo News - Story |publisher=Home.kyodo.co.jp |date= |accessdate=2010-05-27}}</ref> In a prison interview, while facing charges in court, Bethune has reportedly sought to distance himself from Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson, saying that he disagrees with his tactics and stating that "Watson is wrong". After months in detention, he told the [[Sankei Shimbun]], “I can’t accept Japanese whaling but I’m a family man, and I’m not a fighter like the [[samurai]]."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7137695.ece |author=Richard Llyod Parry |title=Anti-whaling activist pleads guilty in Japanese court |publisher=Times Online |date=May 27, 2010}}</ref> Amnesty International has urged Japan to reform its police interrogation methods.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8290767.stm |author=Roland Buerk |title=Japan urged to end 'false confessions' |publisher=BBC |date=October 5, 2009}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 01:50, 2 June 2010

Pete Bethune
Bethune with Earthrace, September 2008
Born
Peter James Bethune

(1965-04-04) 4 April 1965 (age 59)
NationalityNew Zealander
EducationBachelor of Engineering, M.B.A., Bachelor of Science
Alma materUniversity of Auckland, Macquarie University, University of Waikato
Occupation(s)Skipper, Environmentalist
EmployerEarthrace Charitable Trust
SpouseSharyn Bethune
WebsiteEarthrace

Peter James "Pete" Bethune (born April 4, 1965) is a New Zealand citizen, a promoter of bio-fuels, a member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and holder of the world record for the fastest trip around the world in a powerboat.[1] He was captain of the Ady Gil (previously the Earthrace) until it sank after being involved in a collision with a Japanese whaling vessel. He is being held in a Japanese jail awaiting trial after a direct action that involved boarding a whaling vessel.

Personal life and early career

Bethune grew up in Hamilton East, New Zealand as one of five children. He studied science at the University of Waikato and engineering at the University of Auckland.[2] He has two daughters with his wife Sharyn.[3] The couple are separated.[4]

He began his career as an oil exploration engineer and worked in the North Sea and Libya. In 1997, he co-founded CamSensor Technologies. The company manufactured automated camera systems for controlling robots used in complex tasks such as cutting up and grading meat carcasses. He later moved to Sydney to establish the business there.[5]

He is adamant about the potential for alternative fuels. In 2003, Bethune wrote a 20,000 word paper while pursuing his Master of Business Administration degree from Macquarie University about the use of renewable energy for road transport.[5] In regards to him enjoying fishing and hunting along with his previous occupations, Bethune told a reporter for The New Zealand Herald: "I've come from a very unusual background to be a conservationist."[2]

Captain of Earthrace

Earthrace, Malmo, Sweden, August 20, 2007.

Based on his research at Macquarie, Bethune set out to prove that hydrocarbon fuels could be replaced by sustainable bio-fuels.[6] He had Earthrace designed and built in order to break the world record for a circumnavigation by a powerboat in hopes that it would call attention to the viability of bio-diesel as an alternative fuel. He mortgaged his New Zealand home and financed the building in the hopes of recouping the expenses from sponsorships. He declined a $4 million sponsorship from a company that would have required them to use regular diesel.[7]

His first attempt began in Barbados on March 10, 2007. He encountered significant delays due to issues with the propellers and other mechanical problems.[8] On the night of March 19, while around 22 kilometres (14 mi) offshore from Guatemala, Earthrace collided with a local fishing boat. No Earthrace crew were hurt, but one of the three crew members from the fishing boat was killed.[9] The crew was absolved of any responsibility after a 10-day investigation during which they were held in custody. The delays prevented them from completing the circumnavigation in record time, but because Earthrace took an official start time when leaving San Diego, the team decided to "restart" with this new start/finish line. They departed San Diego on April 7, 2007 and needed to return by June 21 to break the record. The attempt was abandoned on May 31 after a crack was discovered in the hull shortly after leaving Malaga, Spain.[10]

He departed from Valencia, Spain, in another attempt on March 1, 2008. As a publicity stunt, Bethune and two others had undergone liposuction in order to convert a small amount of their own body fat into fuel.[11] The idea arose from a previous plan to tour New Zealand in a car with an attached mobile bio-diesel plant.[2] He finished at the Spanish port of Sagunto on June 27. The journey was completed in 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes, beating the former record by over two weeks.[12][13] Bethune then embarked on a world tour with the vessel to promote awareness of alternative fuels.[14]

Captain of Ady Gil

Ady Gil, Hobart, Australia, December 16, 2009.

After touring ports around the globe, the Earthrace was put on sale for $2.6 million and Bethune considered using it to interfere with Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean if a buyer could not be found.[14][15] Hollywood production-house owner Ady Gil purchased the boat and Earthrace was renamed after him on October 17, 2009.[16] Gil left the ship to Bethune and a crew of five who refitted for Antarctic waters to participate in anti-whaling activities as part of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.[17][18][19] Bethune said before the operation: "I'm a conservationist. One of the things I've learned on Earthrace is stand up for stuff you believe in. Year after year the Japanese go down there and nothing seems to change... If they want to go amping things up a bit, then bring it on."[15] His wife later told the press that he first became alarmed by the state of the oceans when skippering the vessel during the record attempts.[3]

On January 6, 2010 the Ady Gil was involved in a collision with the Japanese whaling vessel MV Shōnan Maru 2 in the Southern Ocean, and the Ady Gil subsequently sank.[20]

An investigation into the collision by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was inconclusive and unable to assign blame for the collision. AMSA was unable to verify claims made by Sea Shepherd, while the Japanese government declined to participate with the investigation saying any information it had might be needed for an inquiry by its own authorities.[21]

Arrest

On February 15, 2010, Bethune boarded the Shōnan Maru 2 claiming to be conducting a citizen's arrest on her captain, Hiroyuki Komiya, alleging attempted murder and to present a claim for $3 million for the loss of his vessel.[22][23] Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research issued a statement calling it a publicity stunt.[24] He used a jet ski to approach the ship then climbed onto its deck after cutting through an anti-boarding net that was draped around the hull. He was detained by the ship's crew and taken to Tokyo, where he was arrested by the Japanese Coast Guard on March 12 on charges of trespassing.[25][26][27][28]

On April 2, 2010, Bethune was indicted in Japan on five charges; trespassing, assault, illegal possession of a knife, destruction of property and obstruction of business.[29] The assault charge is based on the allegation that he threw a bottle of butyric acid onto the Shonan Maru 2 days before the boarding, causing chemical burns to a whaler's face.[30] The Sea Shepherd group claims the burns were self-inflicted when the crewman was shooting pepper spray at the protesters.[31] Bethune could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of injury, or up to three years if found guilty of trespass.[32] Bethune's lawyer claims the charges are unfounded and states that his client will strongly deny them.[30] He is being held without bond in the maximum security Tokyo Detention Centre while he stands trial.[33][34]

Trial

Bethune's trial began on May 27.[35] Bethune has conceded four of the charges against him: intruding on the ship, forcibly obstructing business, violating the Firearms and Swords Control Law and damaging property.[36][37] He will contest that he assaulted the Japanese crew member[38][39] but admitted to launching a butyric acid projectile.[39] However, Bethune's lawyer, Dan Harris, told the New York Post that Bethune has not admitted to guilt on any of the charges, because Bethune was acting to stop the illegal whaling of the Japanese whalers, and thus none of his actions were illegal. "He's contesting his guilt on all the charges."[40]

The Labour Party's Chris Carter accused the New Zealand Government of "washing their hands of the fate" of Bethune.[41] Bethune has received consular support from his government. Prime Minister John Key said "...it's worth noting that I can't get involved in a prosecution in another country any more than I can get involved in a prosecution in New Zealand. What I can do is make sure the person is being treated fairly."[42]

Bethune has indicated that he is uncertain about continuing his anti-whaling activities with Sea Shepherd.[43] In a prison interview, while facing charges in court, Bethune has reportedly sought to distance himself from Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson, saying that he disagrees with his tactics and stating that "Watson is wrong". After months in detention, he told the Sankei Shimbun, “I can’t accept Japanese whaling but I’m a family man, and I’m not a fighter like the samurai."[44] Amnesty International has urged Japan to reform its police interrogation methods.[45]

References

  1. ^ Klotz, Irene (June 27, 2008). "Biofuel Boat Sets Round-the-World Record". Discovery News.
  2. ^ a b c Hewitson, Michele (April 8, 2006). "Mad sailor Peter Bethune not a nutcase". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  3. ^ a b Gibson, Eloise (February 20, 2010). "Love him or hate him, he's effective, says activist's wife". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  4. ^ Wall, Tony; Coldicott, Nicholas (May 23, 2010). "Home Alone". Sunday Star Times. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  5. ^ a b Collins, Simon (July 31, 2004). "Green speedster aims for record". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
  6. ^ Kothe, Rob (June 27, 2008). "Earthrace - New Record Round the World in 60 days". PowerboatWorld.com.
  7. ^ McDonald, Sara (December 18, 2006). "Crew hopes biodiesel boat will break record". The Galveston County Daily News. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  8. ^ Griffin, Peter (June 3, 2007). "Earthrace highlights green cause". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
  9. ^ "Earthrace chief in court over tragedy". New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media. March 20, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  10. ^ "Intrepid Adventure New Zealand - Earthrace: The man and the machine". Intrepidmagazine.co.nz. Retrieved 2010-05-27. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  11. ^ "Earthrace Launches World Record Attempt". Sky News. December 18, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  12. ^ Irene Klotz (June 27, 2008). "Biofuel Boat Sets Round-the-World Record". Discovery News.
  13. ^ a b "Afloat on a stylish green prison". The Dominion Post. April 17, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  14. ^ a b Brown, Bill (June 9, 2009). "Stealth boat to take on Japanese whalers". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  15. ^ Murphy, Dan (October 29, 2009). "South Park puts spotlight on Paul Watson and his "Whale Wars"". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved November 3, 2009. ...on Oct. 17 (2009) the organization formally unveiled it's new weapon: The Ady Gil.
  16. ^ Darby, Andrew (December 1, 2009). "Wail for whales: stealth boat to blast Japanese". The Age. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  17. ^ "Street Fight on the High Seas". The New Yorker. January 12, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  18. ^ "Kiwi anti-whaling activist arrested in Japan". Fairfax Media. March 12, 2010.
  19. ^ "Activists urge Australia to charge Japanese whalers". Bangkok Post. March 19, 2010.
  20. ^ "Inquiry into Ady Gil crash inconclusive". News.smh.com.au. 2010-05-08. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  21. ^ Robin Powell (March 13, 2010). "Tokyo's angry reception for anti-whaling activist". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  22. ^ Willacy, Mark (April 2, 2010). "Brown wants Australia to retaliate in whaling furore". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  23. ^ Alexander, Cathy (February 15, 2010). "Protester boards Japanese whaling vessel". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  24. ^ "Japan indicts anti-whaling activist". CNN. 2010-04-03. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  25. ^ "Japan charges New Zealand whaling activist Pete Bethune". BBC. 2010-04-03. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  26. ^ "Japanese Coast Guard Arrests Anti-Whaling Skipper". The New York Times. 2010-03-12. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  27. ^ Leigh Sales (March 13, 2010). "Lateline". Lateline. ABC1.
  28. ^ McDonald, Mark (April 2, 2010). "Japan Indicts Anti-Whaling Activist". The New York Times.
  29. ^ a b "Whaling row turns to Tokyo court". TVNZ (Television New Zealand). April 2, 2010.
  30. ^ "Activists claim Japanese whalers were hurt by their own pepper spray". Japan Today. February 13, 2010.
  31. ^ "Govt should do more for Bethune: Labour". The Sydney Morning Herald. April 3, 2010. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  32. ^ Willacy, Mark (April 3, 2010). "Japan accused of Sea Shepherd 'show trial'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  33. ^ Glanville, Brigid (April 2, 2010). "Japan charges anti-whaling activist". Australian Broadcasting Corp.
  34. ^ "Japan sets trial date for NZ anti-whaling activist". Australia Network News. May 7, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  35. ^ http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T100527004213.htm
  36. ^ Mark Willacy (May 27, 2010). "Anti-whaling activist pleads guilty but denies assault". ABC News (Australia).
  37. ^ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10648605
  38. ^ a b From correspondents in Tokyo. "New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune pleads guilty in Tokyo trial". News.com.au. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  39. ^ Michael Starr (May 29, 2010). "Rough waters: 'Whale Wars' trial underway in Japan". New York Post.
  40. ^ "Govt 'washing hands' of activist's fate - Greens". The New Zealand Herald. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  41. ^ "NZ offer to support anti-whaler at trial". The Sydney Morning Herald. May 24, 2010.
  42. ^ "Kyodo News - Story". Home.kyodo.co.jp. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  43. ^ Richard Llyod Parry (May 27, 2010). "Anti-whaling activist pleads guilty in Japanese court". Times Online.
  44. ^ Roland Buerk (October 5, 2009). "Japan urged to end 'false confessions'". BBC.

External links

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