Institute of Cetacean Research
On February 6, "Steve Irwin" collided with the vessel "Yūshin Maru No. 2" () and later with the vessel "Yūshin Maru No. 3" () while they were whaling in the Southern Ocean. The Japanese-based Institute of Cetacean Research claimed that MY "Steve Irwin" deliberately turned into the stern side of the vessel "Yushin Maru No. 3" to ram her. Video footage of the incident was later released by the institute showing the incident. "Steve Irwin"s operator Paul Watson denied the ramming, saying "They weren't rammed, two vessels collided—the "Yushin Maru 3" and the "Steve Irwin" when they shot in front of us to transfer whale."