Whale Wars: Season 3

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Nature Documentary hosted by Jason Hilderbrandt, published by Discovery Channel in 2010 - English narration

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Discovery Ch Whale Wars: Season 3 The third season of Whale Wars follows Sea Shepherd's 6th Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign, named Operation Waltzing Matilda in honor of Australia s unofficial national anthem, on the three-month journey to the South Ocean Whale Sanctuary to stop illegal whaling. As in previous campaigns, the conflict between Sea Shepherd and the whalers grows more intense with each engagement and Animal Planet documents the action in the new 12-part series.

The issues surrounding whaling in the Southern Ocean are important and complex, and Whale Wars returns once again to capture them in all their intensity, says Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet. The majesty of these beautiful creatures and the lengths to which the Sea Shepherds will go in order to prevent whaling has made Whale Wars entertaining yet vital television. The series has become a trademark for the new Animal Planet, and audiences now expect to kick off summer television viewing with its return.

In June 2009, Sea Shepherd announced its 2009-10 Antarctic campaign, called Operation Waltzing Matilda. The campaign would include the record-breaking Earthrace vessel, now renamed Ady Gil in honor of the benefactor who helped acquire the vessel for Sea Shepherd. The Ady Gil was a futuristic styled ship that held the world record for circumnavigation of the globe by a motorized vessel. The eco-friendly vessel usually ran on a low emission fuel "derived mainly from animal fat, soybeans or other forms of bio-diesel" but was forced by operational reasons to switch to a more polluting petroleum diesel. Pete Bethune, the operator, said that an agreement was reached with Sea Shepherd for the boat to adopt a support role.

Sea Shepherd Founder and President Captain Paul Watson said, Ships are expendable, endangered and protected whales are not. We lost a ship and we have one crew member taken prisoner, and no injuries were caused nor sustained. I think we did bloody well this year and 528 whales were saved. We won t stop until whaling ends.

[edit] Surrounded by Spies

As whaling season begins in the Antarctic, the Sea Shepherds embark on another dangerous campaign. With three vessels all launching from a different port, Captain Paul Watson now faces the daunting task of being the admiral of a fleet.

[edit] Crossing Danger

After repeated attempts to outrun and engage his pursuers, Captain Paul Watson makes a dangerous decision. Meanwhile, the Sea Shepherds' speedboat, Ady Gil, has returned to dock to repair their damaged radar.

[edit] From Hells Heart

The Sea Shepherds have been relentlessly followed by the whaling reconnaissance vessel for two weeks. They find themselves in a full-on engagement on the high seas as Captain Paul Watson orders a massive butyric acid bottle attack on his nemesis.

[edit] Stealth Attack

The Sea Shepherd's stealth boat, the Ady Gil, launches a sneak attack on the Japanese whaling reconnaissance vessel in an effort to break free of the tail and find the rest of the whaling fleet.

[edit] The Thrill of the Chase

After nearly a month of searching, the Sea Shepherds have finally found their ultimate target: the world's only whale factory ship, the Nisshin Maru.

[edit] Sliced in Two

At the bottom of the world, a collision has just devastated one of the Sea Shepherds' vessels. The crew on the other vessel stand helpless on their deck, watching in horror as the Japanese vessel barrels through the Sea Shepherds' prized speedboat.

[edit] Revenge is Mine

In the aftermath of the devastating loss of their stealth vessel, the Sea Shepherds have returned to the campaign with renewed passion and intensity. Now the two remaining ships are back on the hunt for the Japanese fleet.

[edit] Ready to Snap

With low oil and drinking water, and a damaged helicopter, the Sea Shepherds' hunt for the Japanese whaling fleet has been brought to a halt. While on their way back to port, the radar shows two colossal storms that they can't avoid.

[edit] A Bloody Trail

As the Sea Shepherds approach the Nisshin Maru, they are suddenly surrounded by four whaling vessels. Suddenly, one of the Japanese vessels moves in dangerously close, and as the deck crew quickly braces themselves, the ships violently collide.

[edit] Zero Hour

The Sea Shepherds refuse to be bullied by the Japanese fleet even though they're out numbered. The deckhands repel over the side of the ship to assess the damage from the collision and realize that there is a gash in the steel hull and water is pouring in.

[edit] Fire in the Sky

This is the first coordinated multi-boat engagement of the campaign and the crews of both ships develop innovative new tactics to harass the whalers.

[edit] Vendetta

The Sea Shepherd vessels get caught in a major storm and fear they may lose the Japanese factory vessel. Meanwhile, Pete Bethune analyzes helicopter footage of the Shonan Maru #2 — the Japanese vessel he plans to board.

[edit] To the Ends of the Earth

Pete Bethune boards a Japanese whaling vessel under the cover of darkness. As the sun rises over the horizon, he attempts to present himself to the captain. Later, Sea Shepherd volunteers reflect on what they call their most successful campaign yet.