

Currently released so far... 12689 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ASEC
AR
AEMR
AMGT
AE
AU
AID
AORC
APER
AS
AM
AFIN
AMED
AJ
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
ABLD
AL
AA
APECO
AGAO
AY
AGMT
APEC
AINF
AG
ACS
AECL
AFFAIRS
ABUD
ASUP
ADANA
AADP
AMCHAMS
ARF
ASEAN
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
APCS
ADCO
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
ADM
AN
AIT
BU
BR
BL
BO
BA
BB
BG
BM
BBSR
BH
BEXP
BK
BD
BTIO
BT
BE
BY
BF
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BILAT
BIDEN
BC
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CH
CG
CF
CU
CE
CVIS
CASC
CO
CS
CA
CIDA
CBW
CW
CMGT
CI
CODEL
CY
CPAS
CJAN
CD
CWC
CDG
CIA
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CT
CR
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CFED
CV
CACS
CARSON
CLINTON
CN
CONS
CM
CAC
CIC
COPUOS
CDC
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EG
EZ
EUN
ECON
ETRD
ECPS
EFIN
ENRG
ETTC
EPET
EINV
EAID
EAIR
EWWT
EU
EAGR
EC
ELAB
EIND
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
EFIS
ELTN
ET
ECIN
EFTA
ES
EINT
EI
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
ELN
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
EXIM
ETRO
ENIV
ESA
ER
EK
EUR
EFINECONCS
EUMEM
EUREM
EPA
ERNG
ENERG
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
IS
IZ
IR
IC
IO
IN
ID
IGAD
IT
ILC
IAEA
ITU
ICAO
IMO
IBRD
IMF
ICJ
IAHRC
ITF
INRA
INRO
IWC
IQ
IV
ICRC
ICTY
INRB
IEFIN
ILO
ITRA
ITALY
IBET
ISRAELI
IL
INTELSAT
IRC
IDP
ICTR
IRAQI
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
IA
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
INDO
IDA
ISLAMISTS
KSPR
KNNP
KWBG
KAWK
KISL
KPAO
KN
KS
KIPR
KCRM
KDEM
KIRF
KJUS
KHLS
KSCA
KOMC
KAWC
KV
KFRD
KWMN
KTIP
KPWR
KSUM
KGHG
KTIA
KTFN
KIRC
KCOR
KACT
KMDR
KGIC
KOLY
KUNR
KIDE
KMPI
KPKO
KCFE
KVPR
KRAD
KPAL
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KTEX
KTDB
KFSC
KZ
KSEP
KFLU
KE
KU
KPLS
KRVC
KRIM
KSTH
KG
KFLO
KPOA
KICC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KBCT
KSAF
KMOC
KDRG
KBIO
KREC
KSTC
KVRP
KBTR
KMIG
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KWAC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KWMM
KPRP
KNEI
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KX
KMCA
KCRS
KMFO
KID
KCIP
KNAR
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KHDP
KFIN
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KHIV
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KTER
KRCM
KCFC
KSAC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KCOM
KLIG
KDEMAF
KAID
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
KOMS
KHSA
MPOS
MOPS
MARR
MTCR
MNUC
MASS
MX
MCAP
MAR
MTRE
MASC
MK
MG
MTCRE
MI
MD
MA
MO
MY
MU
ML
MRCRE
MAS
MEDIA
MC
MR
MIL
MW
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MT
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MEPP
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
NATO
NG
NL
NZ
NT
NW
NO
NU
NS
NPT
NASA
NI
NK
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NP
NATIONAL
NSSP
NSF
NA
NGO
NV
NR
NDP
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NEW
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NPG
NSC
NPA
NSFO
OPDC
OPRC
OEXC
OTRA
ODIP
OIIP
OVIP
OPIC
OPCW
OAS
OREP
OSCE
OSCI
OES
OFDP
OECD
OCS
OIC
OPAD
OVP
OHUM
OFFICIALS
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OBSP
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PGOV
PARM
PINR
PTER
PHUM
PK
PREF
PM
PHSA
PA
PINS
PE
PBTS
PCI
PO
PL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PGIV
PROP
PP
PBIO
POL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PBT
PMIL
POV
PTBS
PG
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PROV
PNAT
PINF
PRL
PAS
PDOV
PRAM
PREO
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PAO
PREFA
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PGOC
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RW
REACTION
RCMP
RSO
RO
RP
ROOD
RM
ROBERT
RICE
REGION
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
RFE
REPORT
SY
SP
SOCI
SMIG
SNAR
SCUL
SC
SU
SO
SI
SENV
SZ
SW
SA
SR
SF
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SEN
SG
SYR
SWE
SK
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SCRS
SYRIA
SL
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SANC
SHI
SHUM
SIPRS
TSPA
TSPL
TU
TBIO
TRGY
TPHY
TS
TP
TW
TBID
TI
TF
TZ
TD
TT
TN
TNGD
TC
TX
TH
TL
TIP
THPY
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TINT
TFIN
TAGS
TR
US
UNSC
UNGA
UK
UP
UNCHC
UN
UNMIK
UNCSD
UY
USTR
USOAS
UNHRC
UNFCYP
UG
UNAUS
UNESCO
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
USUN
UZ
USNC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNEP
USEU
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNDP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
UNDC
UNICEF
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 07WELLINGTON181, THE NISSHIN MARU: AN EXAMPLE OF U.S.-NEW ZEALAND
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #07WELLINGTON181.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
07WELLINGTON181 | 2007-02-27 20:28 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Wellington |
VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHWL #0181/01 0582028
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 272028Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3934
INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 4754
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0617
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0510
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC
RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
RHMFISS/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000181
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/ANP DRICCI, OES/OA EBLOOM AND MTOUSLEY
STATE PASS TO NSF/USAP KARL ERB
PACOM FOR JO1E/J2/J233/J5/SJFHQ
NSC FOR VICTOR CHA
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISD LIZ PHU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EFIS SENV IWC AY NZ
SUBJECT: THE NISSHIN MARU: AN EXAMPLE OF U.S.-NEW ZEALAND
COOPERATION
¶1. (SBU) Summary: On February 15, a factory floor fire
disabled the Japanese whaling vessel Nisshin Maru in the
environmentally fragile Southern Ocean off the Antarctic
coast. For eleven days, the stricken vessel remained in the
vicinity of the U.S. McMurdo Station and New Zealand Scott
Base in the Ross Sea region, about 100 nautical miles from
the large Adelie penguin breeding colony at Cape Adare.
Carrying considerable amounts of heavy fuel oil, the ship
posed a catastrophic environmental threat. New Zealand's
response was excellent and was further enhanced through close
coordination with U.S. counterparts. This cooperation was
made much easier by recent dialogue on maritime issues as
well as our planning for the recent US-NZ Antarctic
anniversary celebrations, both reflected in the "Matrix"
process. It also suggests both sides could benefit by
exploring ways, within the "Matrix" process, to expand joint
planning for future maritime incidents. End Summary.
Background
----------
¶2. (SBU) On the morning of February 15, Minister for
Conservation Chris Carter informed DCM Keegan that the engine
room of the Japanese whaling vessel Nisshin Maru had caught
fire. Carter said the vessel had issued a "May Day" call and
GNZ expected the crew would abandon the vessel.
¶3. (SBU) According to GNZ, the Nisshin Maru is a factory
whaling ship operated by the Institute of Cet Ocean Research
(I.C.R.) of Japan and flagged in Japan. At the time of the
fire, the Nisshin Maru was 265 nautical miles north,
northeast of the U.S. McMurdo Station and New Zealand Scott
Base at the edge of the Ross Sea. Its position at 73.38S;
175.56E put it within New Zealand's search and rescue area of
international waters. This position also meant that the
Nisshin Maru was about 100 nautical miles from Cape Adare,
the site of a breeding colony of 250,000 pairs of Adelie
penguins.
¶4. (SBU) Initial information suggested that one of the crew
members was killed in the fire, 120 crew members had
evacuated to three accompanying vessels in the Japanese
whaling fleet, and twenty others remained on board the
Nisshin Maru to fight the fire. The accompanying vessels
were understood to be incapable of towing the Nisshin Maru,
and the nearest capable vessel was an Australian tug-boat
located three days away. Minister Carter told the DCM that
Maritime New Zealand had contacted both McMurdo Station and
Scott Base to coordinate possible fire assistance to the
Nisshin Maru.
¶5. (SBU) Owing in large part to a language barrier, the
initial reports New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Center
(RCCNZ) received had only limited technical information about
the actual type of damage sustained by the ship, the extent
of the damage, or kind of repairs being made. RCCNZ
understood from the ship's master that fire damage was
isolated to the factory deck, below the bridge and above the
engine room. The master reported that the hull was
structurally sound and that there was no immediate risk of
oil pollution as a result of the fire. However, given the
position of the ship in Antarctic waters, with icebergs and
pack ice in abundance, GNZ remained particularly concerned
about other risks, including possible structural damage from
impact with ice.
¶6. (SBU) With the assistance of a Japanese interpreter who
later assisted the RCCNZ, GNZ officials determined that two
types of heavy fuel oil were on board the Nisshin Maru in
quantities sufficient to pose a threat to the environment.
As the fire fighting efforts continued, the Nisshin Maru was
rafted between two of its accompanying vessels, the Oriental
Bluebird and the Yushin Maru 2, at a new position 280
nautical miles north, northeast of McMurdo Station, after
which the vessel canceled its distress call.
¶7. (SBU) During efforts to suppress the fire, accumulated
fire fighting water had caused the ship to list slightly, but
portable pumps corrected the problem. The weather in the
Antarctic remained calm, although NZ authorities remained
concerned that a sudden deterioration in the weather
conditions might soon cause the ship to founder. Based on
the limited information received from the Japanese whaling
fleet, the GNZ feared an environmental catastrophe could
unfold if the Nisshin Maru were to become further compromised.
Request for U.S. assistance
---------------------------
¶8. (SBU) From the initial stages of the crisis and throughout
the next 11 days, the RCCNZ shared its situation reports
immediately with Embassy Science (ESTH) Officer Tod Duran,
who distributed them to the State Department, Coast Guard, US
Antarctic Program/NSF, and PACOM. On the morning of February
16, the Embassy received a Diplomatic Note from MFAT
requesting that a U.S. Antarctic Program C-130 fly over and
photograph the vessel. In coordination with EAP/ANP and OES,
the Embassy received National Science Foundation and
Department agreement to the request.
¶9. (SBU) Later in the afternoon, GNZ officials reported cloud
cover to 1,000 feet, making a flyover impractical for
obtaining photos over the following 24 hours. PACOM and OES
Deputy Director Evan Bloom informed the Embassy that the U.S.
Coast Guard Ship (USCGS) Polar Sea was lingering in the area,
having completed its annual icebreaking operations in McMurdo
Sound. Embassy officials contacted the Environment Division
at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and
inquired whether they planned to ask that the Polar Sea
photograph the Nisshin Maru. MFAT said yes, and delivered a
second DipNote with that request. After speaking with ESTH
officer Duran, State Department-based U.S. Coast Guard
liaison Mike Tousley fast-tracked the request to PACOM, which
diverted the Polar Sea to the Nisshin Maru for photo
reconnaissance.
¶10. (SBU) On February 17, the Polar Sea obtained photos of
the Nisshin Maru, sharing them with USAP officials, who
forwarded them to New Zealand's Scott Base and other GNZ
interests. Antarctic New Zealand officials expressed thanks
for the photos which satisfied Zealand's request for a photo
assessment. Embassy Science Officer and DATT Capt. Ricardo
Martinez confirmed with MFAT that GNZ was satisfied with the
photo record, and that the use of the C-130 would be
redundant. NSF then canceled the mission. On February 22,
Ambassador McCormick called Minister Carter to reaffirm
personally the importance we attached to U.S. assistance to
New Zealand in responding to this maritime incident.
¶11. (SBU) Despite GNZ's strong anti-whaling position, its
offers of assistance to the Japanese vessel were delivered
without reference to the ship's activities. (NB: On February
16, however, Minister Carter issued a public statement
regretting that the vessel had declined help from the
Greenpeace anti-whaling ship The Esperanza, which was also in
the area. End NB.) When the engineers of the Nisshin Maru
were able to restart its engine on February 25 so it could
steam north under its own power, Maritime New Zealand
commended the engineers for their effort. The RCCNZ issued
its last SitRep at 4:30 p.m. on February 25. At that time,
the Nisshin Maru was 200 nautical miles from the scene of the
incident. As of 4 p.m. on February 26, it was located some
360 nautical miles away.
Comment:
--------
¶12. (SBU) Although we have worked closely with New Zealand in
Antarctica for 50 years, the level of US-NZ cooperation used
to address this incident was truly exceptional. Both sides'
recent renewed focus on reinvigorating overall bilateral
ties, coupled with efforts to strengthen our dialogue on
maritime security issues, greatly improved our ability to be
"joined up" as we responded to fast moving events
well-removed from either country's shores. USG-GNZ planning
for the January 2007 celebrations in honor of the 50th
anniversary of US-NZ cooperation on the ice, together with
Post's increased attention to environment and science issues,
also helped us know the right players to get together. This
and other interactions, reflected in the "Matrix" process,
have strengthened our ability to plan jointly. We should
continue to improve our planning for future incidents.
Although the "Nisshin Maru" accident ended without an impact
on the environment, we may not be so lucky next time.
Keegan