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Pete Bethune

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Pete Bethune
Bethune with the 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, conservationist
EmployerEarthrace Charitable Trust
SpouseSharyn Bethune - separated
Children2
WebsiteEarthrace

Peter James "Pete" Bethune (born April 4, 1965) is a New Zealand promoter of bio-fuels and conservationist. He is the holder of the world record for the fastest trip around the world in a powerboat and was involved with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.[1] He was captain of the Ady Gil (previously the Earthrace) until it sank following a collision with a Japanese whaling vessel. He was convicted in Japan for a direct action that involved boarding a whaling vessel and received a suspended sentence.[2]

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.[3] He has two daughters with his wife, Sharyn,[4] from whom he is separated.[5]

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.[6]

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.[6] In regard to his enjoyment of 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."[3]

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.[7] 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.[8]

His first attempt began in Barbados on March 10, 2007. He encountered significant delays due to issues with the propellers and other mechanical problems.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12] The idea arose from a previous plan to tour New Zealand in a car with an attached mobile bio-diesel plant.[3] 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.[13][14] Bethune then embarked on a world tour with the vessel to promote awareness of alternative fuels.[15]

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.[15][16] Hollywood production-house owner Ady Gil purchased the boat and Earthrace was renamed after him on October 17, 2009.[17] 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.[18][19][20] 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."[16] 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.[4]

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.[21] 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.[22]

Arrest, trial, and conviction

On February 15, 2010, Bethune boarded the Shōnan Maru 2 with the expressed purpose of 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.[23][24] Bethune hoped that to be taken to Japan to face charges in an effort to increase public awareness of Sea Shepherd's cause.[25] Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research issued a statement calling it a publicity stunt.[26] 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.[27][28][29][30]

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.[31] The assault charge is based on the allegation that he threw a bottle of butyric acid onto the Shōnan Maru 2 days before the boarding, causing chemical burns to a whaler's face.[32] The Sea Shepherd group claims the burns were self-inflicted when the crewman was shooting pepper spray at the protesters.[33] Bethune could have faced up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of injury, or up to three years if found guilty of trespass.[34] Bethune's lawyer claims the charges are unfounded and states that his client will strongly deny them.[32] He was held without bond in the maximum security Tokyo Detention Centre while he stood trial.[35][36]

Bethune's trial began on May 27.[37] Bethune was charged with intruding on the ship, forcibly obstructing business, violating the Firearms and Swords Control Law and damaging property.[38][39]

Several major newsmedia reported that Bethune pleaded guilty to four charges[39][40] while others reported that he admitted four charges[38] or that he conceded four of the charges but has contested an assault charge.[41] Newsreview.com claims that Bethune did not "plead" guilty as there is no such thing as a plea in Japanese criminal proceedings and he and his Japanese lawyers claim that Sea Shepherd's actions are protected by the United Nations World Charter for Nature, which allows private organizations to interfere in government-like ways in the interest of the environment.[42] Though he admitted to launching a projectile of butyric acid,[43][44] he contested the assault charge against him on the grounds that he lacked intent to injure the ship's crew. In his tearful final statement delivered on June 10, Bethune said: "I did not have the intention of hurting crew members. I took action because I wanted to stop Japan's illegal whaling."[45] Prosecutors demanded a sentence of two years in prison.

The Labour Party's Chris Carter accused the New Zealand Government of "washing their hands of the fate" of Bethune.[46] Bethune has received visitations from consular staff. 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."[47]

On June 4, in what was later said by Paul Watson to be a legal strategy on the part of Sea Shepherd,[2] Sea Shepherd announced that it was no longer going to be formally associated with Bethune since a set of bow and arrows was on the Ady Gil during the anti-whaling operation. The group stressed that the weapon was not intended to be used against any person, and Bethune previously had stated to Animal Planet cameras during Whale Wars filming that he intended to use the bow and arrows to spoil whale meat for commercial use.[48][49] Sea Shepherd said it would continue to support Bethune during the trial in Japan.[50] On July 7, Pete Bethune was given a two-year suspended sentence. In addition, he was banned from Japan for five years.[51][52] Bethune was deported to New Zealand on July 9.[53] Sea Shepard's Paul Watson later stated in an interview that while the Sea Shepard made the court agreement to disassociate from Pete Bethune for the sake of his release, they would annul the decision to not be associated so that Pete Bethune would be allowed to return to their cause after one campaign if he so chooses.[citation needed]

Bethune held a press conference upon returning to New Zealand. He told reporters: "My trial in Japan represents a miscarriage in justice. Not because I stood before that court, but because the captain of the Shōnan Maru 2 did not."[54] He also called the New Zealand Government a "lap dog"[55] for what he considered a lack of support.

Disassociation from Sea Shepherd

Bethune disassociated himself from Sea Shepherd by posting an open letter on his Facebook page on October 4, 2010, condemning the organization and its leader Paul Watson as "dishonest" and "morally bankrupt". According to his letter, he was directed by Paul Watson to sink the Ady Gil deliberately for PR purposes after the collision with the Japanese whaling ship. He insists that the senior members of Sea Shepherd regularly lie and conspire over the serious matters, detailing many cases in his letter.[56]

References

  1. ^ Klotz, Irene (June 27, 2008). "Biofuel Boat Sets Round-the-World Record". Discovery News.
  2. ^ a b "Bethune welcome to rejoin Sea Shepherd: Watson". Sydney Morning Herald. July 8, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Hewitson, Michele (April 8, 2006). "Mad sailor Peter Bethune not a nutcase". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Wall, Tony; Coldicott, Nicholas (May 23, 2010). "Home Alone". Sunday Star Times. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  6. ^ a b Collins, Simon (July 31, 2004). "Green speedster aims for record". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
  7. ^ Kothe, Rob (June 27, 2008). "Earthrace - New Record Round the World in 60 days". PowerboatWorld.com.
  8. ^ McDonald, Sara (December 18, 2006). "Crew hopes biodiesel boat will break record". The Galveston County Daily News. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  9. ^ Griffin, Peter (June 3, 2007). "Earthrace highlights green cause". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
  10. ^ "Earthrace chief in court over tragedy". New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media. March 20, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  11. ^ "Intrepid Adventure New Zealand - Earthrace: The man and the machine". Intrepidmagazine.co.nz. Retrieved May 27, 2010. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. ^ "Earthrace Launches World Record Attempt". Sky News. December 18, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  13. ^ Irene Klotz (June 27, 2008). "Biofuel Boat Sets Round-the-World Record". Discovery News.
  14. ^ a b "Afloat on a stylish green prison". The Dominion Post. April 17, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  15. ^ a b Brown, Bill (June 9, 2009). "Stealth boat to take on Japanese whalers". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ Darby, Andrew (December 1, 2009). "Wail for whales: stealth boat to blast Japanese". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  18. ^ "Street Fight on the High Seas". The New Yorker. January 12, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  19. ^ "Kiwi anti-whaling activist arrested in Japan". Fairfax Media. March 12, 2010.
  20. ^ "Activists urge Australia to charge Japanese whalers". Bangkok Post. March 19, 2010.
  21. ^ "Inquiry into Ady Gil crash inconclusive". News.smh.com.au. May 8, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  22. ^ Robin Powell (March 13, 2010). "Tokyo's angry reception for anti-whaling activist". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  23. ^ Willacy, Mark (April 2, 2010). "Brown wants Australia to retaliate in whaling furore". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  24. ^ "Vendetta". Whale Wars. Season 3. August 27, 2010. Animal Planet. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Alexander, Cathy (February 15, 2010). "Protester boards Japanese whaling vessel". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  26. ^ "Japan indicts anti-whaling activist". CNN. April 3, 2010. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
  27. ^ "Japan charges New Zealand whaling activist Pete Bethune". BBC. April 3, 2010. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
  28. ^ Fackler, Martin; McDonald, Mark (March 12, 2010). "Japanese Coast Guard Arrests Anti-Whaling Skipper". The New York Times. Retrieved March 12, 2010.
  29. ^ Leigh Sales (March 13, 2010). "Lateline". Lateline. ABC1.
  30. ^ McDonald, Mark (April 2, 2010). "Japan Indicts Anti-Whaling Activist". The New York Times.
  31. ^ a b "Whaling row turns to Tokyo court". TVNZ (Television New Zealand). April 2, 2010.
  32. ^ "Activists claim Japanese whalers were hurt by their own pepper spray". Japan Today. February 13, 2010.
  33. ^ "Govt should do more for Bethune: Labour". The Sydney Morning Herald. April 3, 2010. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  34. ^ Willacy, Mark (April 3, 2010). "Japan accused of Sea Shepherd 'show trial'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  35. ^ Glanville, Brigid (April 2, 2010). "Japan charges anti-whaling activist". Australian Broadcasting Corp.
  36. ^ "Japan sets trial date for NZ anti-whaling activist". Australia Network News. May 7, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  37. ^ a b http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T100527004213.htm
  38. ^ a b Mark Willacy (May 27, 2010). "Anti-whaling activist pleads guilty but denies assault". ABC News (Australia).
  39. ^ "New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune pleads guilty in Tokyo trial". news.com.au. May 27, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  40. ^ "Pete Bethune set to give evidence today". New Zealand Heral. May 31, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  41. ^ "Whale-warrior trial update". Chico News & Review. June 17, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  42. ^ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10648605
  43. ^ From correspondents in Tokyo (May 27, 2010). "New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune pleads guilty in Tokyo trial". News.com.au. Retrieved May 27, 2010. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  44. ^ de Freytas-Tamura, Kimiko (June 10, 2010). "Japan prosecutors seek jail for anti-whaling man". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  45. ^ "Govt 'washing hands' of activist's fate - Greens". The New Zealand Herald. May 27, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2010. [dead link]
  46. ^ "NZ offer to support anti-whaler at trial". The Sydney Morning Herald. May 24, 2010.
  47. ^ "Sea Shepherd casts Bethune adrift". ABC News. June 8, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  48. ^ "Tools and Tactics of Whale Wars". Animal Planet. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  49. ^ "Sea Shepherd cuts ties with whale activist Pete Bethune". BBC News. June 8, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  50. ^ http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/bethune-gets-suspended-sentence-3632066
  51. ^ Kyodo News, "Bethune writing book about activism", Japan Times, July 3, 2010.
  52. ^ Kyodo News, "N.Z. antiwhaling activist deported", Japan Times, July 10, 2010, p. 2.
  53. ^ "Bethune calls Japanese trial miscarriage of justice; blasts NZ gov't". Japan Today. July 12, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  54. ^ "Bethune slams Govt as 'lap dog'". 3 News. July 12, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  55. ^ Speedy, Juliet (October 6, 2010). "Bethune quits Sea Shepherd over lies". 3 News.

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