Then, on February 16, officers on the bridge of the Bob Barker noticed tall flames on the back of the Thunder throwing off thick black smoke. An oil slick trailed their ship. Responding to a radio inquiry from Sea Shepherd, the Thunder’s officers claimed, unconvincingly, that it was just their kitchen and bathroom waste—boxes, wrappers, toilet paper, cigarette cartons, and the like. Burning such waste was legal. The flames burned continuously for two days, longer than usual for such fires on a ship of this size.
