In 2012, Elissa Sursara got on a ship, sailed to Antarctica, and put herself between a whale and a harpoon ship. The act attracted international attention, and along with 100 other volunteers from around the world on board Sea Shepherd vessels in the Southern Ocean, Elissa saved a whopping 932 whales from an illegal whaling fleet hunting inside a whale sanctuary. Two years later - Elissa is still at it, taking time out from her job as a biologist and journalist on an annual voyage to save whales.
Elissa looks out at the Balleny Islands
Taking time out from her hectic schedule in the bridge, Elissa takes in the sights as the MV Sam Simon motors by the beautiful Balleny Islands in Antarctica.
On the radar, Elissa tracks the whaling fleet
"The radar is the most important part," says Elissa, who was positioned at the screen for most of her bridge shifts. "Any contact could be the contact we're after, and if you miss it, it could end very badly for whales."
Elissa watches as the Steve Irwin nears an iceberg
Donated by The Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and his family before his death in 2006, the MY Steve Irwin is Sea Shepherd's flagship vessel.
On land at Scott Island, Antarctica
Crew members land by helicopter on Scott Island where they enjoy a brief moment off.
A baby minke whale shows Sea Shepherd his thanks
An official representative for the Japanese whaling fleet once called minke whales "the cockroaches of the sea." Here's one as it swam circles around the Steve Irwin during Operation Zero Tolerance.
A stunning iceberg floats in Antarctica
"The icebergs are less and less," Elissa explains. Climate change has hit the Antarctic zone hard.
Elissa and the small boat crew in action
The small boat crew fire off in pursuit of whaling ships in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary.
Nisshin Maru and Sun Laurel impact the Bob Barker (middle)
Look closely: there's an anti-whaling ship, the MV Bob Barker, being crushed in the middle. During the two hour special of Whale Wars: A Commander Rises, Bob Barker captain Peter Hammarstedt loses control of his vessel in the collision but refused to give up.
The Nisshin Maru water bombs the Steve Irwin
The factory ship of the whaling fleet is the Nisshin Maru, pictured here spraying water cannons at the anti-whaling crew. The Nisshin Maru's role is to process dead whales into edible meat, despite displaying "RESEARCH" on her port and starboard sides.
A happy whale taking a leap in the Southern Ocean
932 whales were saved by Sea Shepherd in 2013, and in 2014, a further 700 were protected. This whale swims safely in his sanctuary home in the South.
"Be Relentless" - Sea Shepherd
Operation Relentless was Sea Shepherd's 2013 to 2014 anti-whaling campaign, one of the most successful on record.
Elissa and the crew take a dive for their lives
Immersion suits are worn by crew when a boat is in danger of sinking. Here, the crew of the Sam Simon practice an abandon ship drill.
An Adelie Penguin in Antarctica
One of many interesting species found in the depths of the Southern Ocean is the tiny Adelie Penguin, pictured here as he investigated the Sam Simon from an ice pack.
Elissa and Paul Watson, Founder of Sea Shepherd
Raise a fist to whaling like Captain Paul Watson and his protege Elissa Sursara.
Elissa suits up for action on the MV Sam Simon
On the monkey deck of the Sam Simon, the vessel donated by The Simpson's co-creator Sam Simon, Elissa gears up in her mustang suit as she heads high into the crews nest to scout for signs of the whaling fleet.