The other reason, according to Watson, was the likelihood that Japanese diplomatic pressure on the New Zealand government resulted in the inspections, prior to the vessel's departure on another "mission" of destruction against the Japanese.

The Farley Mowatt was scheduled to head for the Southern Ocean, allegedly to intercept Japanese vessels engaged in a well-publicized and entirely legal IWC scientific whaling program. Watson has promised to do harm to the Japanese expedition, and his history is one of ramming and sinking whaling vessels at sea. The New Zealand authorities examined the ship with explosive-sniffing dogs, divers checked under the waterline for the presence of torpedoes, and a torpedo on the deck was repeatedly examined. It was found to be empty, not a weapon, and was termed by the inspectors as "nothing more than a paperweight." No weapons, explosives, torpedoes, or other implements of destruction were found. The crew personnel were investigated by authorities and no apparent felons were discovered.

In retrospect, the complete lack of weapons, explosives and torpedoes was no surprise. Watson has always proclaimed that he is a dangerous adversary of sustainable use, of any scientific research involving the killing of cetaceans, and of any thing else that he could possibly use as an issue with which to impress his moronic followers. Yet, aside from ramming some ships, the man has never amounted to more than a momentary foul hot wind. His proclamations of aggression with an "orca submarine" to frighten away gray whales from the Makah hunters is a good example. No such vessel was ever seen or used there, and the whole campaign against the Makah was finally recognized for what it was - another self-serving bluff.