Captain Paul Watson is arguably one of the planet’s most noted marine wildlife conservation and environmental activists. Watson was one of the founding members and directors of Greenpeace. In 1977, he left Greenpeace and founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. In 2022 the Captain Paul Watson Foundation became the third chapter in his lifelong quest toward ocean conservation.
A renowned speaker, accomplished author, master mariner, and lifelong environmentalist, Captain Watson has been awarded many honours for his dedication to the oceans and to the planet.
Paul Watson has remained the Captain of Neptune’s Navy since he coined the name almost 50 years ago.
Our Navy crew comprise our dedicated volunteers and we welcome on board our honorary crew, our Captain Paul Watson Foundation followers and supporters.
Together we are Neptunes Navy!
We are motivated by passion, guided by courage, and inspired by imagination. We retain Captain Paul Watson’s values, a non-compromising willingness to aggressively and non-violently take the direct action required to defend and protect marine wildlife, ocean ecosystems and stop illegal activities at sea.
In 2024, the Bandero, a former Japanese Fisheries Patrol ship, was covertly purchased from the Japanese government. Captain Locky MacLean, who has acquired ten ships for Captain Watson over twenty years, praised its quality: “Japan builds some of the best vessels; this ship is tailor-made for what we do.”
Named after the Tequila brand of American billionaire John Paul DeJoria, founder of Patron Tequila and John Paul Mitchell hair care products, the Bandero is a 64-meter vessel with a gross tonnage of 499 tons. It is currently docked near Melbourne, undergoing preparations for its campaign.
In 2022, Mr. DeJoria funded the purchase of a former Scottish Fisheries Patrol vessel, now named the John Paul DeJoria. This vessel has participated in various campaigns, including Operation Paiakan against Iceland’s whalers, Operation Bloody Fjords in the Faroe Islands, and Operation Ocean Killers targeting supertrawlers.
In July 2024, while navigating the northwest passage to confront Japan’s new whaling factory ship, Kangei Maru, Captain Paul Watson was arrested by Danish authorities whilst refueling in Nuuk, Greenland, at Japan's request.
