The keel has been laid for the brand new flagship of the controversial marine wildlife conservation group, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, at Damen Shipyards Antalya in Turkey.

Sea Shepherd touts the vessel as their “dream ship”, able to reaching speeds that “far exceed” any of the vessels within the group’s fleet.

Sea Shepherd ordered the brand new ship earlier this yr after profitable 8.3 million euros within the postcode lotteries within the Netherlands. The vessel seems to be a modified Damen Fast Crew Supplier, a line of purpose-built vessels from Damen Group that includes the progressive Sea Axe hull kind and identified for his or her seakeeping and gas effectivity.

The vessel might be personalized for Sea Shepherd as an Antarctic Patrol Vessel, with a bolstered hull and hybrid propulsion system that may allow Sea Shepherd to chase poachers wherever on the earth for an prolonged time period.

Sea Shepherd mentioned earlier this yr that the group had researched doable shipbuilders for 2 years earlier than selecting the Dutch shipbuilder Damen to design and construct their ‘ideal ship’.

Sea Shepherd didn’t say particularly when the vessel is anticipated to be delivered, solely that development will happen over the following 12 months.

Check out the video of the keel laying ceremony under:

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