As Greenpeace celebrate 40 years of campaigning and peaceful activism, we have a new sailing vessel, the Rainbow Warrior III.
There were many tears as the Rainbow Warrior II finally had to leave us. After the sinking of the original Rainbow Warrior by the French secret service in 1985, it was a great thing to see the name on a ship again, and it took part in many actions, not just environmental, but humanitarian when needed. But time moves on, and it was time for a new ship. to carry the name.
With much excitement i set out on a four hour coach ride to London. Arriving before midday it seemed fitting to take in an exhibition a local group member, Craig, had told me about at Somerset House called Amazon. A beautiful photographic exhibition in aid of protecting the Amazon.
From there it was a treck to the docklands and to South Quay.
It was getting quite dark by the time i arrived, but the latest ship to carry the famous name still looked majestic with it's tall masts, over 50 metres. Even to an untrained eye the new ship looks to sit low in the water, which forces you to look even more at the masts.
After a full day of open boat tours we Key Activists were to get our own tour, and so slowly gathered and greeted old friends and new, then it was time to board. We had talks from the executive director of the UK, John Sauven, and also the Captain, Joel Stewart. There were the thanks for support over the years, and for the help in raising the money to pay for this amazing ship, and also some information about the new Warrior. Then we broke into four groups for the tours.
As you would imagine, the ship is still rather shiny and new looking, and the bridge has all the latest gadgetry to help it on its way. We heard how manouverable it is, and how fast it can sail, around 15 knotts....The sails must be huge when unfurled!
As a purpose built ship, and about as environmentally friendly as you can get, i'm sure this new addition to the name of Rainbow Warrior will do us all proud. But of course, it's not all about the ship, it's about the people who sail it. The skill and dedication of the crews is something i saw on the Warrior II very briefly when taking part in an anti war action in Rotterdam, and a saw it better in a brief spell as cooks assistant on the Esperanza. I have great respect for them. But also it's the active supporters who spend weekends campaigning, and/or taking direct action, and those who help raise the money needed to keep Greenpeace going.
The Rainbow Warrior may be the flagship, but lets not forget that we're all Warriors Of The Rainbow!
As i walked away after the tour to meet and socialise at a nearby pub with all the other Key Activists, i looked back at this wonderful new ship, and it struck me how small it looked against the might of the skyscapers of Canary Wharf where the money is. But the Rainbow Warrior has the people supporting it that will always stand tall!
The red lights of the Warriors masts can be seen against the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf on the right.
Comments