SURABAYA, Indonesia (20 Jan 2009) — Contrary to previous reports, Japan's Yushin Maru whaling vessel was repaired in Indonesia and is now heading back to Antarctica to resume whaling. On January 17, CDNN reported that the Yushin Maru was forced to leave Indonesia after the government rejected its request to drydock for repairs at the state-owned PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya, East Java Province. In fact, officials in Indonesia ignored letters of protest from the government of Australia and several international environmental groups stating that the Yushin Maru was engaged in illegal whaling in the Antarctic marine sanctuary. Instead, they accepted Japan's guarantee stating that the ship was a research vessel and was not involved in illegal activities. The Yushin Maru suffered propeller damage earlier in the month when it hit pack ice in the Southern Ocean. Anti-whaling protesters accuse Japan of breaking laws, treaties and regulations that govern Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Japan claims it is operating legally according to IWC (International Whaling Commission) rules that allow whaling for the purpose of scientific research. | 
