The captain of the anti-whaling ship Steve Irwin has opted to refuel in Hobart rather than Dunedin - a decision which has added an extra three days to the journey for the fuel-starved vessel.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation vessel is now heading to Hobart, after joining the search for the missing Japanese seamen from the whaling ship Kyoshin Maru No 2 before it was called off yesterday.
Speaking via satellite phone from the Antarctic, Captain Paul Watson said he decide to head to Australia over New Zealand "because Australia have been accepting of us in the past".
"We weren't really sure of the New Zealand Government position," he said.
The vessel had sufficient fuel for the 10-day voyage to Hobart - 2600 miles away, but if it encountered any problems it would head to Dunedin - 1800 miles from its position yesterday.
Steve Irwin is expected to dock in Hobart as early as January 15 and there was a possibility it would head to Dunedin at the end of February, he said.
