On March 2, the M/Y Steve Irwin will depart Sea Shepherd’s Southern Operation's Base in Williamstown, Victoria for Port Adelaide, South Australia. 

It will be the first stop in preparation for Sea Shepherd’s second expedition to the Great Australian Bight. 

“Back in 2016, our expedition - Operation Jeedara - showcased the beauty and grandness of the Bight, a globally unique home to one of the world's most significant Southern Right whale nurseries," Jeff Hansen, Managing Director of Sea Shepherd Australia, said. 

"What we found in the Bight was nothing short of remarkable, a place worthy of the utmost protection and no place for an oil field.

“Since Sea Shepherd’s expedition in 2016, both BP and Chevron have pulled out of putting this incredible marine wilderness area at risk, however other big players remain like Statoil and Santos," Jeff added.

“This time Sea Shepherd will take our supporters on a journey beneath the waves, to showcase the incredible biodiversity in the sanctuary zones of Pearson, Top Gallant, Ward and Flinders Islands. 

"We'll highlight why marine sanctuaries are vital and reiterate that the Bight is too precious to risk at the hands of Big Oil - for an oil spill in the Bight would be impossible to clean-up and could devastate most of Southern Australia’s coastline and offshore islands like Kangaroo Island," Jeff added. 

The M/Y Steve Irwin will arrive into Port Adelaide on Sunday, March 4th and will remain there until March 19th, with free public tours on March 10, 11, 12 and 17.