MV Shōnan Maru 2's Antarctic and Oceanic Activities

The MV Shōnan Maru 2 is a versatile research vessel that has been involved in some incredible projects. It has conducted research in the Antarctic region.

One of the notable activities of the vessel is its participation in the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. This expedition aims to study the Antarctic environment and its ecosystems.

The MV Shōnan Maru 2 has also been used for oceanographic research, including the study of ocean currents and marine life.

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The MV Shōnan Maru 2 is a research vessel that has been involved in various operations. It was originally built in 1987.

The ship has been used for a range of projects, including supporting the installation of underwater cables and pipelines. It has also been used for other research purposes.

One of its notable operations was assisting in the installation of the Japan-US undersea fiber-optic cable in 1997.

The 2012-2013 season was a notable time for the Shonan Maru No. 2's operations. The vessel continued to guard the whaling fleet.

One of the key events of this season was the attempt by the Sea Shepherd vessel Sam Simon to block the Shonan Maru No. 2 from refueling with the Sun Laurel. This attempt ultimately failed.

The Shonan Maru No. 2 entered New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on February 8, 2014, at 1:36 a.m. NZDT.

It was tailing the Sea Shepherd conservation ship "Steve Irwin" at the time of entry.

The Shonan Maru No. 2 has left the Southern Ocean. The Japanese whaling fleet, including the Shonan Maru No. 2, has crossed north of 60 degrees.

Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson is 80% sure the whaling season is over. His group's four ships are continuing to follow the fleet.

The Shonan Maru No. 2 was involved in a high-stakes boarding operation earlier, where three Australian men from Forest Rescue successfully boarded the vessel. This operation was a huge success, as it highlighted Japanese illegal whaling activities in the global media and gathered valuable intelligence on the whaling fleet's security vessel.

The Shonan Maru No. 2 was forced to fall back from its pursuit of the Steve Irwin after the boarding operation, and is now being replaced by the Yushin Maru No. 2. This is a significant development, as the Yushin Maru No. 2 is a less professional crew compared to the Shonan Maru No. 2.

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The MV Shōnan Maru 2 has been involved in several altercations with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

In late 2009, the Shōnan Maru 2 intercepted and pursued the MY Steve Irwin, trailing it from a distance before engaging the Sea Shepherd vessel with water cannons and an LRAD.

A collision at sea occurred on January 6, 2010, between the Shōnan Maru 2 and the MY Ady Gil, which was participating in Sea Shepherd operations against Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean.

The Ady Gil sank soon after, leaving six crew members, including a New Zealand cameraman who sustained broken ribs.

Both sides blamed each other for the incident, with each stating that the other side miscalculated a maneuver.

The New Zealand government expressed concern at the risk of human lives in the hostile environment and reiterated its opposition to whaling in the Sanctuary.

Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research stated that they would continue to protect their operations "in whatever way it can" and that further clashes would be likely unless Sea Shepherd stopped its operations.

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On January 9, 2010, Sea Shepherd lodged a piracy complaint against the captain and the crew of the Shōnan Maru 2 in the Dutch courts.

An investigation into the collision by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was inconclusive and unable to assign blame for the collision.

In February 2010, Peter Bethune, a member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, boarded the Shōnan Maru 2 without permission and presented the captain with a claim for $3 million for damages to the Ady Gil.

Bethune was transported to Tokyo and charged with vessel invasion by the Japan Coast Guard.

In 2012, three Australians from Forest Rescue boarded the Shōnan Maru 2 off the coast of Bunbury, Australia, without authorization.

The Australian government negotiated for the release of the campaigners, and an agreement was reached to return them without charging them with any offense.

The Shōnan Maru No. 2 also entered New Zealand's EEZ in 2014, tailing the Sea Shepherd conservation ship "Steve Irwin" and ignoring a request by the New Zealand government to stay outside.

The Shōnan Maru 2 has a sister ship, the Shōnan Maru. It was sold to the Misaki Fisheries High School and replaced by the Yūshin Maru No. 3.