
Telegraph: Japanese harpoon ship captures UK protester
Japanese whalers have captured two environmental campaigners, including a Briton, and are holding them on one of their harpoon vessels in waters just off Antarctica. Giles Lane, 36, from Cuckfield in West Sussex, and Australian national Benjamin Potts have been held by the crew of the Yushin Maru No 2 since 6.30pm Tuesday local time, according to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Sea Shepherd staff claim the men had been tied to the radar mast of the Japanese ship but the Japanese Whaling Association denied this. "They have been out there for a couple of hours already and it's freezing," said Jonny Vasic, international director of Sea Shepherd's operations, based in Melbourne. "It does not get really dark that far south at this time of year, but the wind will be getting to them and it will be very uncomfortable." The two men are wearing one-piece luminous protective suits, but that will only protect from the elements for so long, Mr Vasic said. "Their hands will be freezing and this is dangerous"...more...