Environmentalist

‘‘In 2004 I was in Sydney doing an MBA and to finish the degree you had to write a 20,000-word project on anything you wanted that had an economic or business impact. So I wrote about alternative fuels for road transport. And through it I became a convert to biodiesel. So this is kind of the start of my environmentalism.’’

The result was Earthrace, a futuristiclooking biofuel-powered vessel launched in 2006 to promote the then-novel concept as a realistic alternative to fossil fuels.

After two attempts stricken with rough weather and breakdowns, Bethune completed a circumnavigation. He eventually sold the boat to an American investor and captained it on behalf of activist group Sea Shepherd during its anti-whaling expeditions in the Southern Ocean.

It was there in 2010 that Earthrace collided with a Japanese vessel and sank in controversial circumstances. It was his boarding of a Japanese vessel later that season that led to his time in a Japanese jail.

An acrimonious row between Bethune and Sea Shepherd over the collision and its aftermath saw Bethune dissociate himself from the group upon his release.

Despite this, Bethune’s passion for conservation has never waned.

‘‘I’m blessed to do what I do. I get to work on stuff that I believe in. The world is a fraction of a better place with what I do. I don’t claim to do amazing stuff but there is no doubt that I’ve saved a lot of animals and there is a lot of what I call environmental criminals in prison because of my work.’’

Bethune still has his rituals before doing a mission, including shaving his head, though he’s not sure why he does it. The second ritual is to scoff as much food as possible beforehand as once the adrenalin hits it is nearly impossible to eat.

Bethune’s crew on missions are often volunteers from around the world. But he’s also had some missions with a team of exmilitary as part of his TV programme The Operatives.

In the reality show, which screened for 18 episodes, Bethune led the team around the world exposing environmental criminals.

‘‘I do get nervous before a mission – it’s a combination of my safety, the mission being successful and also my guys. Once you get shot at a few times. My job is to bring my guys back every time. Which I have done.’’

Conservation work will never make Bethune wealthy but that is not a main motivator for him.

‘‘I’m comfortable but a lot of people would struggle with it. I have no assets. I’ve got a container out by the airport that has a whole lot of tactical gear in it that is the only asset I have. I have a computer and cellphone, some dive gear, that is it. I don’t have a house. I don’t even have a car.’’

Bethune has no plans to stop what he’s doing, although this might change.

‘‘I will do it until I die, I expect. At the moment I am physically capable but give it another 10 years and see if I am still climbing up the sides of boats and things like that.’’