MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 6th, 2015

Further information:

Thunder Issues Distress Signal. Sea Shepherd Launches Rescue Operation.

Today, at approximately 1539 AEDT, at location 0 20’ North 05 24' East inside the Exclusive Economic Zone of Sao Tome, the poaching vessel, Thunder, issued a distress signal. The Captain of the Thunder radio the Sea Shepherd ship, Bob Barker, reporting that the vessel was sinking.

The Sea Shepherd ship, Bob Barker, immediately answered the distress call.

35 crewmembers from the Thunder have abandoned the ship and are in liferafts.

Sea Shepherd confirms that the Thunder appears to be taking on water.

The Bob Barker is currently coordinating a search and rescue operation.

Captain Peter Hammarstedt of the Bob Barker said, “We have received a distress call from the Thunder. It appears as though the ship and crew are in a serious situation. The Captain of the Thunder has radioed us and said their ship is sinking. We have launched our small boat and are doing everything we can to assist."

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About Sea Shepherd Global

Sea Shepherd Global is a non-profit conservation organisation whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Sea Shepherd Global uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately balanced oceanic ecosystems, Sea Shepherd Global works to ensure their survival for future generations. Visit: http://www.seashepherdglobal.org/

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