The Research Vessel (R/V) Farley Mowat, which was once under the command of controversial Canadian conservationist Paul Watson, has unceremoniously sunk in Nova Scotia. The R/V Farley Mowat was once the flagship vessel of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which was founded by Mr. Watson, and it was used for direct action conservation efforts in various parts of the world, including a historical and ill-fated operation off the coast of Costa Rica.

As recently reported by The National Post of Canada:

The R/V Farley Mowat, named after the late Canadian novelist and Sea Shepherd contributor, sank in the Shelburne, N.S., harbour Wednesday night, spilling about 40 litres of oil into the surrounding waters.

The National Post further reported that the Canadian Coast Guard was busy trying to contain the oil spill last week. It is certainly ironic that a vessel once used for marine conservation is now causing an environmental disaster.

It is important to note that the R/V Farley Mowat was no longer commissioned to the Sea Shepherd fleet when it sank. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police seized the vessel in 2008 after it allegedly struck collided against a Coast Guard icebreaker, which had responded to reports of the F/V Farley Mowat maneuvering dangerously close to boats manned by crews involved in seal hunts.

The history of the R/V Farley Mowat in Costa Rica dates back to 2002. As reported by The Costa Rica Star in 2012:

Mr. Watson was in command of the Farley Mowat when he allegedly rammed a Costa Rican boat suspected of illegal shark fishing. That happened near the territorial waters of Guatemala, and Mr. Watson claims that he was instructed by Guatemalan authorities to detain the Tico fishermen, which he did. After the ramming and subsequent towing of the boat, Guatemalan authorities told Mr. Watson on radio that he would be arrested for his conduct in the high seas, so he instead released the Tico boat and changed course to Costa Rica in order to avoid arrest.

Back then, the R/V Farley Mowat was placed under ship arrest, but she was freed on a $850 bond. Mr. Watson eventually sailed away from Costa Rica to avoid detention; after this getaway, Mr. Watson became an international fugitive, a status that did not prevent him from engaging in direct action or participating in the Whale Wars reality TV series on Animal Planet. Mr. Watson remains a fugitive to this day, as the charges filed by prosecutors in Puntarenas are still in effect.

The sunk R/V Farley Mowat shall not be confused with the former United States Coast Guard Cutter acquired by Sea Shepherd earlier this year. The late Farley Mowat is considered a Great Canadian; he was an author, naturalist and World War II hero, who once stated that he considered Mr. Watson a hero.