Captain Renecle is confident that the ship will stay afloat until the Steve Irwin arrives. The Brigitte Bardot has a crew of ten: three British, three American, one Australian, one Canadian, one Belgian and one South African.

The Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker will continue in pursuit of the whaling fleet. The Steve Irwin will assist the Brigitte Bardot, first to see to the safety of the crew, and then to escort the vessel to Fremantle for repairs.

“This is disappointing but these are hostile seas and we have always been prepared for situations like this,” Said Captain Paul Watson from the Steve Irwin. “Right now the safety of my crew on the Brigitte Bardot is our priority and we intend to reach the crew and then do what we can to save our ship.”

Check this site for continued updates

Brigitte Bardot crew, with Capt. Jonathan Renecle at far right - photo: Simon Ager

Brigitte Bardot and Steve Irwin patrolling the Faeroe Islands during Operation Ferocious Isles

top left: Eight foot swells; other photos: Impact damage. credit: Simon Ager/Sea Shepherd

Visit our Operation Divine Wind site for information about our 2011-12 Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign