He Climbed to Say ‘G’day’--Up the Side of a U.S. Warship

SYDNEY, Australia —  An anti-nuclear protester sneaked aboard a U.S. warship, climbing from the water up the stern, as it cruised into Sydney Harbor today, authorities said.

Authorities said Ian Cohen climbed on board the cruiser Sterett and made his way to the deck, where he greeted the ship’s skipper, Capt. Richard Genet.

Genet told reporters he was surprised when Cohen walked up to him on deck and calmly greeted him with a “G’day.” The captain said he believes it marked the first time in U.S. naval history anyone climbed from the water onto the deck of an American warship.

“He climbed aboard over the port (propeller) guard and was extremely well-behaved,” Genet said. “He wasn’t any trouble, and my men looked after him.”

Cohen was handed over to the Australian Navy police, who later released him without charge.