An anti-whaling protest ship named Steve Irwin collided with a Japanese whaling vessel in the Southern Ocean on Friday, causing no injures, said the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

The anti-whaling organization said there was minor damage to the stern of the Japanese ship, Radio New Zealand reported.

The Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin collided with the Yushin Maru 2 as the harpoon vessel tried to block its attempt to prevent the transfer of a dead whale up the slipway of the factory ship Nisshin Maru," said Steve Irwin Captain Paul Watson in a statement.

He said the anti-whaling ship was in the process of blocking the transfer from the Yushin Maru 2 when the Yushin Maru 1 moved directly in front of the bow to block the anti-whaling ship.

Both the New Zealand and Australian governments oppose the Japanese whale hunt, but called on both sides to remain peaceful.

Japan has vowed to use all legal means to stop anti-whaling activists.

(Xinhua News Agency February 6, 2009)