The ''Kaikō Maru'' (海幸丸; now ''SVS Frobisher'') was the spotter ship for the Japanese whaling fleet. In 2007, it collided with the

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vessel '' MY Robert Hunter'' and was disabled.Japanese whaler, anti-whaling ship collide
China Economic Net, February 15, 2007 It sent out a mayday (call for help) and the ''Robert Hunter'', ''

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'', and the ''

Esperanza Esperanza is the Spanish word for hope, and may refer to: Places Philippines * Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, a municipality * Esperanza, Masbate, a municipality * Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, a municipality United States * Esperanza, Mississippi, ...

'' were obliged to respond until the ''Kaiko Maru'' was repaired. It was sold in 2013 to Specialised Vessel Services as a patrol vessel and renamed as ''SVS Frobisher''.

References

{{Whaling fleet of the Institute of Cetacean Research Whaling ships Whaling in Japan 1972 ships Ships built in Japan