I've been on the ocean most of my life as a captain and crew..and the right of way at sea is that all commercial vessels has the right of way when fishing any little batman boats should stay clear and not intervene..i wish someone would put that whaling spear right down threw the middle of the next boat that wants to try it ...what a bunch of idiots...
I have also examined the available footage.Although both ships should have kept clear, I would like to point out the following.1. Ady Gil appears to be in the process of laying a buoyed cable in the path of the japanese ship. This is an aggressive move.2. Ady Gil is pointing laser gun at the japanese ship throughout this time except when interupted by the water cannon.3. Ady Gil as being the most manoeuverable ship should have kept clear.4. Ady Gil did not reverse because the second buoy of the cable had not yet been dropped which meant the cable was effectively being towed behind them.5. Ady Gil's engines were in slow ahead until shortly before the collision when they appear to be put into full ahead(instead of full reverse which would have saved them)6. The fact that Ady Gil appeared to be in the process of dropping the buoyed cable in the path of the japanese ship which is an agressive move which could have left the ship helpless in the southern ocean preciptated some retalitory action on the part of the japanese ship which in normal circumstances could have been easily avoided by the Ady Gil
The video from the Bob Barker clearly shows the Whaler turning to the right(Starboard),accelarating, and ramming the Ady Gil.While water hosing the crew which disorientated them. Once done it turned to the left(Port) and resumed its starting bearing. Viewing from the whaler's video the Ady Gil was stationery in the water until near impact when it started up to get movement to extricate itself. Your "Experts" are doing a "Whitewash" for the Japanese whale butchering, abattoir.