Just a few weeks after joining the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s sixth anti-whaling campaign in the frigid waters near Antarctica, Ady Gil, the former record-breaking Earthrace boat, was badly damaged in a collision with a Japanese whaler.

Courtesy Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

After establishing a Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) world record for global circumnavigation in June 2008, the unique 78-foot trimaran—a 100-percent biofuel eco-boat—received a transformation last summer as it was prepared for the society’s protest against Japanese whaling fleets in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Unfortunately, the wave-piercing tri-hull, which finished its record run in 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes, had its bow sheared off by the Shonan Maru in yet another confrontation with the Japanese fleet.

Only minor injuries were reported aboard the Ady Gil, but the boat was badly damaged and a report from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society on January 8 said the boat was sinking after efforts to tow it by another one of the society’s vessels, Bob Barker, failed.

For a more detailed story, check out this Associated Press story.