Learn more about how the International Marine Mammal Conservation Society (IMMCS) will deploy the Long Range Offshore Interdiction Patrol & Research Vessel (LROIP-RV), also known as the M/V Barracuda. See how the vessel will use tomorrow’s technology to combat poachers and whalers from over 10,000 nautical miles away – a feat yet to be achieved by any anti-whaling agency. We’re set to change the way poachers are confronted.

So naturally the question will be asked, what makes the vessel different and why do we need to obtain such a vessel, today we’ll go into more depth. To start off, is the M/V Barracuda a research vessel or an anti-poaching vessel? It is actually a combination of the two with additional overwhelming capabilities, its an entirely new class of vessels that will outgun, out-range and outclass almost any threat posed by poachers on the high seas. 

There is no time for cat and mouse chases on the high seas, this vessel is meant to deliver serious enforcement tools anywhere in the world where they may be required for wildlife defense and even research and wildlife rescue.

In 2014, the International Marine Mammal Conservation Society began development on what was dubbed the M/V Barracuda version 1 to combat whaling activities in Antarctica (Mainly as an assistance platform to other groups which were taking action at the time). It was to be a high-speed vessel that would have achieved speeds in excess of 60 knots and provide sea control in addition to denying the whalers the ability to operate.

Since then, the whalers around the world have in some manner, changed their entire operations or operating structure, like operating closer to their home countries. We’re developing version 2 of the M/V Barracuda, dubbed the Long Range Offshore Interdiction Patrol and Research Vessel (LROIP-RV).

The M/V Barracuda will be the world’s first and only dedicated ship, that we know of, with an on-board hospital for wildlife rescue, the capacity to deploy large sea pens and construct IMMCS maritime surveillance facilities or ‘sea bases’ to provide long term wildlife protection and rescue capabilities on the high seas. (these would move around to avoid bad weather to aid in the recovery of wildlife and open ocean vessel tracking and enforcement activities. This project is an initiative to advance anti-poaching on the high seas and funds will go to the vessel project. The project is being expedited as the #1 priority for IMMCS. 

While every organization has its supporters and haters, we must mention clearly that we don’t do the possible, we do the impossible because if you’re not pushing the boundaries, then what are you doing for wildlife conservation?

The International Marine Mammal Conservation Society’s plan is for the M/V Barracuda patrol vessel to be capable of monitoring its area within 1,000-10,300 nautical miles, using drones, small boats and advanced or emerging technology and whatever additional custom enforcement tools we’ll have created that won’t have publicly available information on them so as to reduce the ability for whalers and illegal fishing operators to deploy an effective defense against them, because if they can do that, they’ll just continue to plunder the worlds oceans without any true enforcement to stop them.

 In addition, units on OTH-LRAPV’s could employ launch and recovery systems with drones on-board to extend the range of our enforcement teams and even preposition drone refueling locations at remote outposts, and when we say outposts, we mean mobile sea bases or small vessels to act as mini lily pads or aircraft carriers, and some of these would be unmanned and recharge to batteries onboard unmanned surveillance aircraft. 

We must overwhelm poachers and retain that capacity even if there are no poaching activities or need for the capabilities on board at the time or even if some of it may seem like it is not needed. Too many organizations attempt to take action, only to be hindered in their efforts, so we must deploy overwhelming capabilities.

We are working to fill these gaps that exist in anti-whaling and anti-poaching. That is the capacity or lack thereof to overwhelm poachers, deny them from long range, enforce laws on the high seas and use all available resources to field technology and capabilities that poachers have no response against so that we can combat the increasing tide of illegal poaching activities both at sea and even on land. See How We Are Providing Unmatched Capabilities. 

The International Marine Mammal Conservation Society must be able to respond and have the capabilities to deny poachers or force the expenditure of their resources. We must also be able to provide superior protection to other environmental groups operating in areas where poachers may be more hostile. 

We must provide knowledge and support to a variety of NGO’s so that they can also field advanced capabilities for anti-poaching – now and in the future. We’ll continue to deliver on that promise and we’re doing it as we speak, by aiding other non-profits with the knowledge of advanced capabilities that exist and that could be created with just enough technological push and resources placed towards that objective. This is something that we are doing here at the International Marine Mammal Conservation Society.

With that said, here is some general information about the proposed patrol vessel until we can launch a dedicated website about our new, game changing vessel. We have only begun to scratch the surface of some of the features of this vessel when deployed with all the right tools to be effective and quick at its mission.