The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society says the federal government's seizure of its Farley Mowat anti-sealing vessel has been good for the group's bank account.

Since taking control of the ship in mid-April, the Department of Fisheries has footed the bill for berthing it in Sydney, N.S. It would typically cost about $70 a day or $13,000 in total for the past six months.

"It's saving us a great deal of money," said Paul Watson, head of the anti-sealing group.

Fisheries officers seized the ship on April 12 after it was used to protest the seal hunt off the west coast of Newfoundland.

The ship's captain and first officer were arrested under accusations of bringing the Dutch-registered vessel into Canadian waters and interfering with the seal hunt after a confrontation with a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker. Their trial begins next April, another six months away.

"We don't have to pay for the upkeep. We don't have to pay for the berthage and I can concentrate all our resources on the operation of our vessel the Steve Irwin out of Australia and the Sirenian out of the Galapagos Islands," said Watson.

Watson also says he's sending bills to the government for $1,000 a day for keeping the vessel. And if the ship is not properly maintained, Watson says he will sue for damages.

Government was sued before

Fisheries officials confirmed they are paying for the berthing fees and have received bills from the society.

"As far as the status of the vessel is concerned, … we are considering our legal options," said department spokesman Phil Jenkins.

Watson is optimistic that federal funds will be filling his group's coffers, citing a successful case two decades ago.

In 1983, Fisheries Department officials seized another vessel owned by the group, the Sea Shepherd II, and held it in Halifax for 22 months, said Watson.

"We sued the government and they had to pay us for the damages for the time they had it," said Watson.

The government paid a settlement to the tune of $50,000, said Watson.