PHOTOGRAPHED SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025
This blog post details the visit of the vessel John Paul DeJoria to Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in Dublin on Saturday, 10 May 2025. Operating under the flag of St Kitts and Nevis, this ship is a crucial asset of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, an organisation dedicated to direct-action marine conservation, primarily focusing on anti-whaling campaigns and broader marine ecosystem protection through non-violent yet confrontational tactics.
Built in the United Kingdom in 1982, the vessel originally served as the fishery patrol and survey vessel Vigilant. Acquired and repurposed in late 2022, its current mission involves public engagement, fundraising, and raising awareness for the foundation’s objectives, as evidenced by its Dublin port call. This report will explore the vessel’s technical specifications, operational command, historical service, the specifics of its Dublin visit, and the philanthropic support underpinning its activities.
I. Vessel Profile: Identifying the John Paul DeJoria (IMO 8027406)
Accurate identification is paramount in understanding any maritime asset. For the John Paul DeJoria, this relies on data from maritime databases and observational reports.
A. Core Identification and Current Status
The vessel photographed is definitively identified by its IMO Number 8027406. This unique identifier remains constant throughout a ship’s life, ensuring unambiguous identification regardless of changes in name, flag, or ownership.
Its current name is John Paul DeJoria, and it sails under the Flag of St Kitts and Nevis. This is reflected in its Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) Number 341224001 and its Call Sign V4JW5. This registration marks a change from a previous period under the Jamaican flag (MMSI 339082000, call sign 6YVZ2). Such flag changes often occur after ownership or operational mandate shifts. For an international activist organisation, the choice of flag state can be influenced by regulatory environment, operational flexibility, and administrative convenience, with St Kitts and Nevis known as a flag of convenience. This transition likely occurred as the Captain Paul Watson Foundation formalised the vessel’s status to align with its non-commercial, activist mission.
The John Paul DeJoria is primarily categorised as a Research/Survey Vessel, with some sources also listing it as “Special Craft,” consistent with its current role in marine conservation research, environmental monitoring, and direct-action campaigns.
B. Physical Specifications and Build
Built in 1982, the John Paul DeJoria is 43 years old as of its 2025 operations. It was constructed in the United Kingdom by Ferguson Marine (also known as Ferguson Bros (Port Glasgow Ltd), Yard No 487) in Port Glasgow. This shipbuilder has a history of producing robust service and patrol vessels.
The vessel’s principal dimensions are a Length Overall (LOA) of 71.4 metres and a Beam (Width) of 11.71 metres. While some sources provide rounded figures (71 metres and 12 metres), the more precise measurements are preferred for technical records. Its reported Draught varies slightly between 5.3 metres and 5.4 metres, typical variations depending on the vessel’s load.
In terms of capacity, the John Paul DeJoria has a Gross Tonnage (GT) of 1,365 tons (a measure of internal volume) and a Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) of 388 tonnes (its carrying capacity for cargo, fuel, water, and crew).
C. Essential Clarification: Distinguishing from Other Vessels Named John Paul DeJoria
It is crucial to differentiate this vessel (IMO 8027406) from other maritime assets bearing the same name, given philanthropist John Paul DeJoria’s significant involvement in marine conservation.
At least two other notable vessels have been named John Paul DeJoria:
A former United States Coast Guard Island-class patrol boat, USCGC Block Island (WPB-1344), acquired by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in 2015, was renamed MV Jules Verne and subsequently MV John Paul DeJoria (IMO 4685353) in January 2017. This vessel was retired or scrapped in 2022 and is a separate hull with a distinct history.
Philanthropist John Paul DeJoria commissioned the M/Y John Paul DeJoria II, a 232-foot vessel christened in 2023, specifically for anti-whaling campaigns. This appears to be a newer, distinct vessel.
The existence of multiple vessels named John Paul DeJoria highlights the philanthropist’s sustained financial commitment to marine conservation but also creates potential for confusion. The IMO number 8027406 definitively identifies the vessel that visited Dublin in May 2025. The retirement of Sea Shepherd’s John Paul DeJoria (IMO 4685353) in August 2022 preceded the Captain Paul Watson Foundation’s acquisition of the current John Paul DeJoria (IMO 8027406, ex-Vigilant) in November 2022, further clarifying that they are separate vessels with distinct operational histories under related but different organisations.
II. Operational Command and Affiliation
Understanding the operational control and organisational affiliation of the John Paul DeJoria is key to understanding its mission.
A. Current Operator: Captain Paul Watson Foundation and Neptune’s Pirates
The John Paul DeJoria (IMO 8027406) is currently operated by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation. This foundation was established in 2022 by Paul Watson after his departure from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which he co-founded. Watson stated the new foundation aims to continue a legacy of direct action he perceived as diminishing within Sea Shepherd’s evolving strategies.
The name “Neptune’s Pirates” is also associated with the vessel’s ownership and operation, appearing to be the branding for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation’s direct-action fleet, with Watson referring to his new foundation as “Neptune’s Navy.” The acquisition of the John Paul DeJoria shortly after this organisational split positions it as a primary asset for Watson’s independent conservation campaigns.
The operation of this vessel by Paul Watson’s new foundation, rather than Sea Shepherd Global (which previously operated a different vessel of the same name), reflects the ideological and tactical divergence leading to Watson’s separation. The John Paul DeJoria (IMO 8027406) embodies Watson’s commitment to a more “confrontational and controversial” style of activism. Philanthropist John Paul DeJoria’s continued support, evidenced by the naming of this significant asset, suggests an alignment with Watson’s specific approach to marine conservation, independent of other established groups.
B. Key Personnel Involved
Two individuals are prominently linked to the vessel’s recent operations:
Captain Paul Watson: As the founder of the operating organisation, he is the principal ideological leader and strategic director of its campaigns. His direct involvement was highlighted by his arrest in Nuuk, Greenland, in July 2024, reportedly while aboard the John Paul DeJoria during a resupply stop en route to a campaign targeting Japanese whalers.
Larry Routledge: Identified as the Manager of the John Paul DeJoria during its deployment in Bermuda in early 2025. Routledge oversaw the vessel’s day-to-day activities and led public outreach efforts, explaining the ship’s mission to visitors, indicating a structured operational hierarchy.
C. Funding Model and Support Base
The sustained operation of the John Paul DeJoria in activist campaigns relies on a robust funding and support structure. The vessel’s name strongly suggests significant financial backing from its namesake, philanthropist John Paul DeJoria, whose history of supporting Captain Paul Watson and ocean conservation implies substantial contributions towards acquisition and refitting.
Beyond this high-level philanthropy, the foundation’s operational model also relies on grassroots contributions, including international volunteer crews from Europe and North America. Direct public donations also play a role, as exemplified by the vegan food drive during the Dublin port call, seeking community contributions to provision the crew.
This hybrid approach, combining major philanthropic investment with widespread community and volunteer support, is common for non-profit activist organisations. It provides resilience and allows for ambitious missions while fostering community ownership and participation.
III. Historical Service and Re-Purposing: The Journey of IMO 8027406
The John Paul DeJoria (IMO 8027406) has a long and varied history, spanning over four decades and multiple roles before its current deployment as a conservation vessel, reflecting the maritime practice of adapting robustly built vessels for new duties.
A. Original Identity: The Fishery Protection Vessel Vigilant
Prior to its current name and mission, the vessel was known as the MV Vigilant, built in 1982 at the Ferguson Bros (Port Glasgow Ltd) shipyard (Yard No 487) in Port Glasgow, Scotland, UK, establishing its foundation as a vessel built for demanding service conditions.
B. Decades in Governmental Service
The Vigilant began its service life under the Government of the United Kingdom, serving the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (MAFF) as a Fishery Patrol Vessel, enforcing fisheries laws and managing marine resources within UK waters. While most sources confirm a build year of 1982, one source indicates a completion date of September 1992, potentially suggesting a later major refit or formal commissioning for a specific MAFF role, or a typographical discrepancy. By 2001, its registered ownership was noted as Scotland Govt, Scotland Mins, continuing its function in public service related to maritime regulation and fisheries protection, likely under the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (later part of Marine Scotland).
C. Transition to Commercial Survey and Research
In July 2008, the Vigilant transitioned to the private sector, sold to Gardline Geosurvey Ltd., a marine survey company. A significant conversion in 2010 equipped it for marine geophysical and hydrographic survey work, including sub-bottom profiling in water depths down to approximately 2,000 metres. During this commercial phase, the Vigilant operated under various Gardline-associated entities (including Tranship BV, Vigilant Ship Service BV, and Gardline Holding) and sailed under the Netherlands flag for a period, indicating active international service in the offshore survey sector.
D. Acquisition and Radical Re-Purposing for Conservation Activism
The most recent transformation occurred in November 2022, when the Vigilant was reportedly sold to Neptune’s Navy, closely associated with the newly established Captain Paul Watson Foundation.
Following acquisition, it was renamed John Paul DeJoria, aligning it with its new benefactor and mission. Repurposing work was undertaken at Hull’s William Wright Dock in the UK by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation to convert the former survey ship into an anti-whaling vessel for direct-action conservation campaigns, marking its third distinct career phase.
The journey of IMO 8027406 from a state-owned enforcer of maritime law to a commercial data-gathering platform and finally to a non-state enforcer of conservation ethics is a compelling narrative of adaptive reuse. Its original robust build and the technical spaces from its survey period provided a versatile platform for its current activist duties. The Captain Paul Watson Foundation’s selection of this hull was likely strategic, acquiring a proven, adaptable, and relatively large vessel at a potentially lower cost than a new build, well-suited to the rigours of direct-action campaigns in challenging marine environments. This history makes the vessel a testament to the evolving uses of maritime assets and the increasing role of non-governmental actors in marine stewardship.
IV. Confirmed Dublin Port Call: May 2025 – A Platform for Public Engagement
The presence of the John Paul DeJoria in Dublin in May 2025, specifically at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay on 10 May, was a significant public-facing event for the operating foundation.
A. Corroborated Arrival and Presence in Dublin
The John Paul DeJoria (IMO 8027406) arrived at the Port of Dublin on Thursday, 8 May 2025, at 08:59:23 UTC, as confirmed by port arrival data. By 10 May 2025, the vessel was officially listed among the “Vessels in port” in Dublin.
B. Specific Berthing Location: Sir John Rogerson’s Quay
During its public engagement activities, the John Paul DeJoria was berthed at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, a well-known and publicly accessible part of Dublin’s docklands, ideal for ship tours and public interaction.
C. Public Outreach as Primary Activity (Focus on 10 May 2025)
The principal purpose of the John Paul DeJoria’s visit to Dublin, particularly on and around 10 May 2025, was to conduct extensive public outreach and awareness-building activities for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation and its mission.
The main feature was free public ship tours, offered from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the weekend of 10-11 May 2025, with further opportunities on subsequent weekends. The user’s specified date of 10 May 2025 falls on the first day of these public open days.
The foundation explicitly stated the aim of these tours was to connect with the public on an experiential and emotional level, inviting visitors to “walk the decks where ocean heroes stand,” meet the crew, hear untold stories, and gain a deeper understanding of the mission to “defend life below the surface.” The visit was framed as an invitation to join a “movement” and witness “history” in the making.
Concurrent with the ship tours, a vegan food drive was organised, appealing to the Dublin community to donate essential vegan food items to provision the crew for their “next mission at sea,” providing a tangible way for public contribution.
The nature and scale of these activities indicate that the Dublin port call was a carefully orchestrated public relations and resource mobilisation event. By offering immersive experiences and a direct channel for material support, the foundation aimed to cultivate local community backing in Ireland, potentially recruit new volunteers or donors, and enhance the public legitimacy of its direct-action conservation model. Dublin, a prominent European capital with a rich maritime heritage and growing environmental consciousness, provided a significant platform to project the foundation’s message to a broad and potentially receptive audience. Such public engagement is crucial for non-profit organisations relying on public goodwill, particularly those operating in controversial fields.
D. Contextual Voyage Information
Prior to its arrival in Dublin, the John Paul DeJoria had completed a transatlantic voyage, departing from Kings Wharf, Bermuda (port code BM KWF) on 26 April 2025 (departure time recorded in UTC-3).
It is noted that some automated AIS tracking platforms had initially displayed a much later Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) for Dublin. Such discrepancies between initial predictive ETAs and actual arrival times are common in maritime operations and can be affected by various factors. The confirmed arrival in Dublin on 8 May 2025, as recorded by port authorities, definitively supersedes these earlier predictions.
V. Mission Profile: Direct Action for Marine Conservation
The John Paul DeJoria is a platform for robust environmental activism, continuing the legacy of its operational leader, Paul Watson.
A. Core Mandate: Anti-Whaling and Marine Ecosystem Defence
The vessel is unequivocally identified as an “anti-whaling vessel”. Its overarching mission is to serve as a “symbol of resistance, courage, and ocean protection,” with a commitment to the broader goal of “defend[ing] life below the surface,” indicating a wide-ranging concern for marine biodiversity beyond cetaceans, although anti-whaling remains a primary focus.
B. Operational Modus Operandi: “Nonviolent but Controversial” Direct Action
The operational tactics involve direct intervention, with the crew prepared to actively “obstruct the work of whalers and seal hunters.” These methods are characterised as “nonviolent but controversial,” acknowledging the inherently confrontational nature of their interventions, aiming to physically impede and disrupt targeted operations deemed illegal or unethical. This approach is a long-standing hallmark of Paul Watson’s environmental activism.
C. Illustrative Campaigns and Operational Challenges
Recent activities illustrate the ambitious nature and challenges of the vessel’s campaigns:
A significant planned campaign involved sailing through the hazardous Northwest Passage to confront Japanese whalers in the Pacific Ocean. This was severely disrupted by Captain Paul Watson’s arrest in Nuuk, Greenland, in July 2024, reportedly due to a renewed Interpol red notice requested by Japan. The vessel was in Nuuk for resupply at the time. This event forced a strategic re-evaluation, leading to the John Paul DeJoria docking in Halifax, Canada, for approximately two months before proceeding to Bermuda for the winter of 2024/2025.
As of March 2025, future operational plans reportedly included sailing to Iceland to confront whalers operating with permits in that region, indicating a persistent global focus on challenging whaling activities.
These examples demonstrate a profile of high-stakes, confrontational activism carrying significant legal, political, and logistical risks. Captain Watson’s arrest highlights these dangers, demonstrating how external pressures can compel abrupt changes in campaign strategies and necessitate operational adaptability and resilience. The foundation’s capacity to execute ambitious interventions is continuously subject to the consequences of international law, diplomatic pressures, and the enforcement actions of sovereign states whose interests may be challenged by the activists’ agenda.
D. International Crew and Global Operational Footprint
Reflecting its global mission and support base, the John Paul DeJoria is crewed by international volunteers from various regions, including Europe and North America.
The vessel’s operational theatre is inherently global, with documented movements and planned campaigns spanning diverse maritime regions, including Arctic waters (Greenland), the North Atlantic (Canada, Bermuda, Ireland), and intended operations in the Pacific Ocean and near Iceland, underscoring the global scope of the conservation issues the foundation addresses.
