Charges could be laid over whaling clash

Criminal charges could be laid over a collision in the icy waters of the Southern Ocean, which left an anti-whaling ship torn in half.

Sea Shepherd campaign vessel the Ady Gil was sliced in two by the crash with Japanese whaling ship Shonan Maru.

Australian authorities will investigate the incident, with parallel investigations to take place in Japan and New Zealand.

Michael White, a specialist in maritime law at the University of Queensland, said it was "fairly likely" charges would be laid over the clash but it was too early to say against whom.

"Deliberately causing a collision leads to all sorts of criminal charges," said Dr White.

Announcing the investigation - the findings of which will be made public - Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard said it was a miracle no one had been killed.

Dramatic footage of collision

The Sea Shepherd anti-whaling organisation and the Japanese have released duelling footage of the crash.

Both appear to show the Ady Gil was moving slowly when the Japanese vessel switched course and headed for it, running into it and dragging it partially underwater as activists tumbled over on the deck.

"Having seen the video, it concerns me deeply," Ms Gillard said. "It seems miraculous to me... that lives were not lost."

The six crew members - one with broken ribs - were rescued.

But Ms Gillard rejected campaigners' calls to send a government vessel to Antarctica to monitor the whaling conflicts, saying it would not help.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority will seek information about the incident from both parties - the Sea Shepherd and the Japanese - as part of its "fact gathering" mission.

Sea Shepherd boss Paul Watson said he would cooperate fully with the investigation but was not confident about its efficacy.

Whaling 'for scientific purposes'

"The problem is that Japan always refuse to cooperate," said Captain Watson.

He said he was worried that when bad weather next hit the stricken Ady Gil it would sink. Activists have removed the vessel's fuel to avoid a leak, and were trying to remove the ship's engines.

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said he did not hold out much hope for the AMSA investigation, because it would rely heavily on Japan's side of the story.

He said Japan's position was "based on one whopping lie, that the whaling is for scientific purposes".

Commercial whaling is banned under international law, but countries can legally hunt whales for scientific purposes, as Japan does. The meat later ends up on dinner plates.

Senator Brown also called on the Australian government to pay to replace the $1.5 million Ady Gil then send the bill to Japan.

Australia is investigating the crash because it happened in Antarctic waters claimed by Australia, New Zealand because the Ady Gil is registered there and Japan because a Japanese vessel was involved.