Snap Judgment – "Chasing Thunder - Snap Classic" Summary

Release Date: October 31, 2024
Host: Snap Judgment and PRX
Description: Snap Judgment blends real-life stories with dynamic beats to create captivating, cinematic radio experiences. This episode, "Chasing Thunder," delves into the high-stakes world of ocean conservation and the relentless pursuit of illegal fishing operations.

Introduction: The Call to Action

The episode opens with Peter Hammerstedt recounting his unexpected journey into leadership within the Sea Shepherd fleet. After his mentor, Paul Watson, the leader of Sea Shepherd, is imprisoned in Frankfurt for allegedly attacking illegal shark hunters, Peter is entrusted with commanding the mighty Bob Barker, a formidable ship equipped with a menacing black pirate flag adorned with a trident and shark teeth.

Peter Hammerstedt [04:13]: "He just said, you'll be taking command of the next campaign that we're doing, and if anybody questions you, here's this piece of paper. And so when he hands me this single eight and a half by 11 piece of paper, it weighs nothing. But I feel this huge sense of responsibility weighing on my shoulders because now I'm being given this trust."

The Mission: Hunting the Elusive Thunder

Peter's inaugural mission is to locate and apprehend the Thunder, a notorious renegade trawler banned by Interpol for a decade due to its illegal toothfish hunting operations in the Antarctic. The toothfish, colloquially known as "white gold," has become critically endangered, necessitating urgent conservation efforts.

Peter Hammerstedt [05:30]: "This is the Patagonian toothfish, a fish that lives in the wild waters of the Southern Ocean off the islands of Antarctica. It's so valuable that it's known as white gold."

Despite skepticism from experts who believed finding the Thunder was futile, Peter and his crew embark on a grueling 110-day pursuit across 10,250 miles of treacherous seas.

The Chase: Navigating Perilous Waters

The journey leads the Sea Shepherd fleet through unforgiving icebergs and relentless storms. Peter describes the high-seas environment as a "broken mirror," where navigating through giant ice masses requires constant vigilance and meticulous coordination.

Peter Hammerstedt [14:09]: "You can imagine this ice pack being like a broken mirror, and we have to navigate our way slowly along and around and through the broken pieces."

During the chase, the crew faces multiple challenges, including severe weather conditions and mechanical strain, testing their resilience and determination.

First Contact: Confrontation with the Thunder

After days of searching, Peter's sharp instincts spot the Thunder on radar—one of the few remaining clues among countless icebergs. As they close in, an intense radio exchange ensues, revealing the Thunder's defiance and the symbolic challenge posed by their pirate-like flag.

Peter Hammerstedt [12:32]: "We're conservation law enforcement. We are placing them under arrest and they are to come with us to Fremantle, Australia."

The Thunder attempts to evade capture by navigating towards a heavily storm-prone area known as the "eye of Zoron," but the Sea Shepherd fleet remains steadfast in their pursuit.

The Storm: Battling Nature's Fury

As the Thunder seeks refuge in the storm, the Sea Shepherd ships enter a violent tempest, equating the ordeal to "Lord of the Rings." The crew battles massive waves and freezing temperatures, all while maintaining their course to prevent the Thunder from slipping away.

Peter Hammerstedt [18:23]: "When I'm in the storm, we're being turned and rolled over at 35, 40 degrees. This is where your stability is affected the most."

During this harrowing period, the crew experiences both physical and psychological strain, with Peter narrowly avoiding disaster when a massive fender swings into the ship during the storm.

Turning the Tide: Seizing Opportunity

After enduring six days in tumultuous weather, the Thunder ceases its evasive maneuvers, appearing to wait out the Sea Shepherd fleet. This stalemate leads Peter to assess their dwindling fuel reserves, prompting him to offer his crew the choice to abandon the mission or continue the chase.

Peter Hammerstedt [25:00]: "And after 24 hours, he found out only 10% of his crew chose to leave, and the Bob Barker stayed at the Thunder side."

With unwavering commitment, the majority of the crew elect to stay, embodying their dedication to conservation and the mission's success. They transition to rationed meals, symbolizing their resolve to persevere despite the prolonged chase.

Final Confrontation: Capturing the Evidence

On the 50th day, as the crew celebrates the Super Bowl, the Thunder abruptly resumes illegal fishing, igniting a final, aggressive pursuit. Amidst the chaos, Peter's crew ingeniously retrieves a piece of fishing gear, prompting the Thunder captain to escalate their tactics by ramming the Bob Barker.

Peter Hammerstedt [30:19]: "Standby for possible impact. That's going to be close. We narrowly miss."

Despite the aggressive maneuvers, the chase continues until the Thunder is ultimately forced into a compromising position. In a strategic move, Peter sends a team to board the sinking Thunder, securing critical evidence such as nautical charts and computer hard drives.

Peter Hammerstedt [42:18]: "They see that every door that they go through is open, which means that this vessel was rigged to sink. That the captain had ensured that water would be able to freely move from one area of the ship to the other, flooding compartment after compartment."

The evidence collected solidifies the case against the Thunder's operations, culminating in the ship's dramatic sinking—symbolizing the downfall of a decade-long illegal enterprise.

Aftermath: Justice and Reflection

The Thunder's crew faces legal repercussions, including convictions for forgery, environmental damage, and reckless endangerment, albeit with mysterious releases post-appeals. Peter reflects on the mission's success, highlighting the significant impact of their efforts in halting the illegal toothfish trade.

Peter Hammerstedt [46:16]: "We see this vessel go from leaning over to one side to then going stern down into the sea. It's a beautiful sight to see a ship that had been pillaging the Antarctic for 10 years sinking."

The episode concludes with an acknowledgment of the broader implications of their battle against maritime criminals, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to protect vulnerable ecosystems from exploitation.

Key Takeaways

• Dedication to Conservation: The Sea Shepherd fleet's relentless pursuit underscores the importance of protecting endangered species and combating illegal fishing.

• Leadership Under Pressure: Peter Hammerstedt's ascent to leadership amidst crisis exemplifies the profound responsibilities and challenges in environmental activism.

• High-Seas Challenges: Navigating the unpredictable and perilous conditions of the Southern Ocean highlights the extreme measures required to enforce conservation laws.

• Impact of Evidence: Securing tangible evidence is crucial in holding maritime criminals accountable, despite the inherent difficulties in such elusive operations.

Notable Quotes

• Peter Hammerstedt [04:13]: "But I feel this huge sense of responsibility weighing on my shoulders because now I'm being given this trust."

• Peter Hammerstedt [18:23]: "When I'm in the storm, we're being turned and rolled over at 35, 40 degrees. This is where your stability is affected the most."

• Peter Hammerstedt [26:39]: "I wasn't going to let Paul Watson down, and I wasn't going to let our supporters down either. And I wasn't going to let the toothfish down."

• Peter Hammerstedt [42:18]: "They see that every door that they go through is open, which means that this vessel was rigged to sink."

Conclusion

"Chasing Thunder" vividly portrays the audacious efforts of the Sea Shepherd fleet to dismantle one of the most persistent illegal fishing operations in the Southern Ocean. Through determination, strategic planning, and unyielding commitment, Peter Hammerstedt and his crew exemplify the fight against environmental exploitation, delivering a compelling narrative of heroism and the ongoing battle to preserve our planet's fragile ecosystems.

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