Any day saving a whale is a good day to die.

In 2005 adventure–writer Peter Heller joined the crew of the vegan pirate ship the Farley Mowat as they set off across wild, remote Antarctic seas on a hair–raising journey. Their mission: to save the giant mammals being hunted by the Japanese whaling fleet. Their approach: take no prisoners.

Comparing Greenpeace to 'Avon ladies' the Farley Mowat and its crew of eco–radicals are notorious for their hard line tactics, as well as for the Jolly Roger flag they proudly fly, and the 'can opener' ramming device they use to drive whalers away from their prey. Their charismatic captain, Paul Watson boasts that he has sunk eight whaling ships to the bottom of the sea. Despite the lack of sailing experience on board, Heller discovers a high spirited crew of professional gamblers, forest activists, champion equestrians, and ex–military prepared to risk their own lives to save the creatures they love.

Over the next two months the Farley Mowat stalks the Japanese whaling fleet through howling Force 8 gales and treacherous ice–choked water. Watson presses his enemy while Japan threatens to send down defence aircraft and warships, Australia appeals for calm, New Zealand dispatches military surveillance aircraft, the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence issues a piracy warning, and international media begin to track the developing whale war.

For the Farley Mowat crew, there is no compromise. If the charismatic, intelligent great whales cannot be saved, there is no hope for the rest of the planet. Watson aims his ship like a slow torpedo and gives the order: "Tell the crew, collision in two minutes."