May 31, 2004

The Wandering Albatross

An albatross visits next to the Rainbow Warrior (C) Greenpeace / Grace

It feels really bizarre being hundreds of miles from anywhere, with several of kilometres of water underneath us. Apart from the ever-changing sky and the infinite waves, there's little to see. That doesn't stop many of us from sitting up in the bridge, or standing out on deck, watching the spray coming over the bows, or watching the moonlight on the swell.

Visitors come to the Rainbow Warrior, albatrosses that swing by, fly around, stay awhile, then vanish. Lesley, our medic, is an avid alba-spotter, and has so far have identified juvenile black-browed mollymawks, and some dark-coloured juvenile wandering albatrosses.

Over the last few days, Roger's been out on deck, armed with his camera, 'shooting duck'. Wooly has been standing beside him, making quacking noises (click for mp3), to coax in the big curious birds... and which weirdly enough, seems to work.

The birds we've seen aren't massive by any means - they don't reach the 3-metre-plus wingspan of the adult wandering albatross, or even the 2.2 metres of the adult black-browed. But they're still big. Accompanied by darker, smaller petrels, the albatrosses glide so low that they disappear behind the swell, going out of sight for several seconds. Then they soar up and away on the wind, covering great distances without flapping their wings. The big albatrosses are the largest seabirds anywhere, and they can stay aloft almost indefinitely, returning home only to mate, or to feed their young.

Albatross feed on various squid, and fish offal, which is why they like following trawlers, and will do so for hours at a time, occasionally grabbing some choice food scraps. Albatrosses are though to live to well over thirty, and even up to forty years old.

We're just a few days out to sea, so the albatrosses haven't lost their novelty value yet. We're hoping they never do.

Destructive practices against a peaceful protest

As you know, we're on the Rainbow Warrior as part of an international campaign to protect the deep sea. While we're out here in the middle of the ocean, things are happening elsewhere...

News arrived this morning from our colleagues in Greenpeace New Zealand, who had just performed a peaceful land-based protest at the Orange Roughy Management Company headquarters in Nelson, a major fishing port in the South Island.

The Orange Roughy Management Company is an umbrella organisation, representing all orange roughy fishing companies in New Zealand, and is currently legally challenging the closure by the government of just 19 out of 860 underwater mountains within New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Bottom trawling for orange roughy is a major cause of deep sea destruction in the waters around New Zealand and many other places around the world, like the South Indian Ocean.

At the protest in Nelson, Greenpeace activists draped a huge net over the Orange Roughy Management Company building, and painted the words "deep sea destruction" across an outside wall. Meanwhile, the local Motueka choir stood beneath the net, singing and holding placards of creatures from the deep sea.

Unfortunately, they received a rather extreme reaction from the fishing industry, who seem to take the law into their own hands. People were kicked and dragged away from the building, cameras were smashed...

For more details, visit the Greenpeace New Zealand website »

May 29, 2004

Squid Sampling

Hi, this is Kat (marine biologist on the Rainbow Warrior). One of my projects on this voyage will be to sample the small squid in the surface layers of the international waters we pass through. Using a fine-meshed net to collect squid at dawn, dusk, and sometimes at night, I'll examine them to see what they are, how old they are, and what they are eating. This information will help us understand more about both the geographic and vertical distribution of these species, their life cycles, and their diets.

Squid are some of the most numerous creatures on Earth, and play an important role in food webs throughout the oceans. Because they are fast growing (most complete their life cycles in under two years) and very sensitive to changes in the environment, they are an excellent indicator of the health of an ecosystem. When something changes -- a decrease in large predators (like fish and mammals) or prey (smaller squid, fish, krill), the squid population reflects the change much more quickly than other more slow-growing animals in the ecosystem.

The waters around New Zealand have more species of squid (90+) and octopus (42+) than have been recorded any other country in the world so far. The abundance of cephalopods (octopus, squid, and their relatives) helps to support populations of other animals - whales, penguins, seals, albatross, and large fish - and has helped some of these animals withstand the loss of other prey items through heavy fishing. Whales, for example, used to consume large fish as nearly 40% of their diet, but now (reflecting these species' decline) eat almost exclusively squid in the waters around New Zealand.

If we collect larval or paralarval squid (young squid that differ from adults only in size rather than in babyish physical features), studying them will help us learn more about the possibility of raising squid in captivity, where we can learn even more about them.

For more information on squid and octopus, visit www.TONMO.com.

The Rainbow Warrior And The Dolphins

Dolphins alongside the Rainbow Warrior (C) Greenpeace / Walsh

All over the Rainbow Warrior, there are carvings and emblems of Dolphins. There are Greenpeace books about them, crewmembers wear t-shirts emblazoned with Dolphins logos. We're just four days into our voyage, and the dolphins have inspired us again. But before you all start groaning under the weight of cliches, read on...

This morning, our photographer, Roger Grace, was sitting up on the bow, perched up on the wooden dolphin, watching the sea. Yesterday's bad weather had cleared up, but the wind was still strong. Roger spotted five real dolphins swimming on the bow of the ship, three big ones, and two younger ones. They spent about 10 minutes surfing along with the ship before vanishing. All of a sudden there were more dolphins... and more... The cry went up all over the ship, 'Dolphins!'

On the port side, the water was alive with dolphin action. Out on deck, the crew were whooping and jumping up and down with excitement. The Rainbow Warrior was surrounded by dozens and dozens of dolphins, all leaping and playing alongside the ship. Matt, who's an experienced dolphin-counter, reckoned that there was around 500 common dolphins swimming beside us. We seem to have happened upon the end of a feeding frenzy, judging by the number of birds - gannets and others - sitting on the surface, apparently picking up crumbs from a hunt that may have occurred below.

The dolphins stayed around half an hour; some of them leaping in various directions, some of them surfing along with the ship, others in echelons of 10 or more, letting the waves take them to the surface. Sharp-eyed Kat spotted a mother and calf. As the parent dived down, a small tail could be seen swimming in parallel. They were kicking up so much of a spray that a small rainbow appeared between the dolphins and the Rainbow Warrior. We kid you not.

The photographers were shooting like crazy - but catching a wave of glistening cetaceans breaking the water is more difficult than it might seem. Wooly, on the other hand, managed to shoot some impressive video footage, before a shower of spray soaked him and his camera gear. Roger spotted a dolphin with a ragged dorsal fin, but he didn't manage to photograph it.

The dolphins gradually disappeared... only to appear far off on the other side of the ship, diving through the air in relay, before leaving us completely.

If everyday starts like this, we're in for a great trip...

May 28, 2004

Big Seas Ahead

The view from Dave's office (c) Greenpeace / Walsh

This morning I woke up at 6:50am, and could feel the ship rolling from side to side. There was a strong sea outside, but I felt lulled, cradled by the waves, and dozed off again. It's quite a contrast. Yesterday, we had blue skies and warm sun... today its driving rain, strong winds, and a good swell. We're not talking Perfect Storm waves here, but it's rough enough for our third day at sea. As I write, there's some slightly green crewmembers seeking refuge in the wheelhouse.

In case your wondering what we get up to all day...

7:30am - wake up call, from whoever is on watch.

7:30am-8:00am breakfast

8am - cleaning. That means scrubbing floors, the galley, the heads (toilets), everything. There's 25 people spending a long time together on the Rainbow Warrior, so we have to keep the place spotless, ship-shape.

9am - down to business... our specific jobs

Midday - lunch

6pm - dinner

It gets dark here around 5pm, which cuts out any serious deck work.

Yesterday was a busy day. From mid-morning to mid-afternoon, I was shooting and editing photographs. Then for most the afternoon and evening I was hidden away, organising stuff for the web. I finally made it to bed around midnight.

This morning, some of the logistics, engineering and deck crew were out in the rain, doing some work on our campaign equipment. It was raining, and there was 30-knot wind, but it wasn't very cold. Some of the campaign crew sat in the wheelhouse, discussing content for the web.

I spent the morning hanging off my desk, as the Warrior rolled from side to side. Other Greenpeace web editors had warned that I shouldn't expect to be as efficient when at sea. It made for good advice - It's pretty hard to think, never mind type, when the ship is moving like this.

I'm based in the radio room, where I've got two portholes to peer out of. As I sit here, the sea is lashing against them, and I can see a dark coloured bird - a petrel, perhaps, skimming the waves in search of food. We call it the radio room, but it's really where all the communications stuff is... the satellite gear, the phone setups, the video editing equipment and so on. The ship has a computer network, with PCs for the crew to check emails etc. Some of us have our own laptops, so we can just plug in anywhere there's a connection.

Tonight, we head north, into bad weather. Everything has to be tied or locked down in some way. The chair I'm in is tied to the desk, and my camera bag is strapped to the leg of a table. Laptops are stowed away in cases, where they can't move around. Nothing is left to chance...

Coming soon - the lowdown on food and our accommodation. And some postings by crew members!

May 27, 2004

The Two Rainbow Warriors

Laying a wreath at the final resting place of the old Rainbow Warrior (C) Greenpeace / Walsh

It's 7:30am, and we're up, and getting breakfast, and cleaning the ship. It's a busy morning, and no one is idle. Stuart, Logan and Chris head ashore in the Wakanui semi-inflatable to pick up Bunny McDiarmid, campaign director of GP NZ, a local journalist and some visitors.

The weather is fantastic - blue skies dotted with distant clouds, and the sea is pretty calm. It may be winter in New Zealand, but here off the coast of Northland, we're in shorts and t-shirts.

When the visitors arrive, we sail to where the first Rainbow Warrior was scuttled in 1987. The wreck has become an artificial reef teeming with aquatic life, and is a popular destination for scuba divers.

As the Rainbow Warrior II eases towards the wreck site, Greenpeace New Zealand's Bunny McDiarmid gives a solemn tribute to
Fernando Pereira, the Portuguese photographer who drowned on 10 July 1985, when two explosions ripped through the Rainbow Warrior's hull. She also talks about the 'Old Warrior', and how it has become such a potent symbol not only for Greenpeace activists, but for environmentalists throughout the world.

Then, a red and green floral wreath passes among the crew before being thrown into the waters of Matauri Bay by Bunny, and Frans, the captain. The wreath was made with a mixture of native and non-native plants to represent the multi-national crew.

Some of us are circling the ship in Wakanui - including videographer David 'Wooley' Woolford, photographer Roger Grace, and a local journalist. As we come across the bow of the Rainbow Warrior II, I'm struck by two things. First of all, I'm impressed by how noble the ship looks, with the Cavalli Islands in the background, between the blue sea and sky. Then I think 'hey, I live here, on this ship!'.

We spend the night at anchor, here in Matauri Bay. It's kind of strange to think of two Rainbow Warriors in the same place... one bobbing about on the surface, full of humans, and another, 20 metres or so below, inhabited by fish.

Dave Walsh
Web Editor, SV Rainbow Warriow

May 26, 2004

Wednesday Night - The First Night at Sea

Heading out to sea, and into the weather (C) Greenpeace / Walsh

The stars are out, and the moon is lighting the sea. We're heading north-west, up past the Poor Knights Islands on our way to Matauri Bay. When we arrive there tomorrow, we're having a memorial ceremony at the final resting place of the Rainbow Warrior I.

Tonight, there's only a slight swell, but some of us landlubbers are having trouble getting our sea legs. After dinner, many retire to their cabins. Later on, up in the darkened wheelhouse, Franz, the captain, and Emma, an Australian deckhand, are poring over charts. The bridge is glowing with the light from the radar console. Johnny Cash is on the stereo. Perfect.

Leaving Auckland

One of the Warrior's inflatables following us out of Auckland harbour. (C) Greenpeace / Walsh

Midday Wednesday 26th of May: It's a beautiful, sunny day in Auckland New Zealand. The SV Rainbow Warrior pulls away from Prince's Wharf, the crew waving goodbye to friends and colleagues. It feels good - a relief, in fact - to be finally under way. The Auckland cityscape recedes behind the ship, while some of the guys whisk along beside us in the ship's Avon inflatable. Derek's at the helm, taking the legendary vessel away from the city, under the guidance of the harbour pilot.

While some of the crew had come over from Australia on the Rainbow Warrior, many of the campaign team are from Greenpeace's New Zealand office. Additional members have been arriving over the last few days. Most had been living on board since the weekend, and were settled in. Now we were anxious to get moving, to get the campaign under way.

That is, after all, what we are here for.

While some of the crew had come over from Australia on the Rainbow Warrior, many of the campaign team are from Greenpeace's New Zealand office. Additional members have been arriving over the last few days. Most had been living on board since the weekend, and were settled in. Now we were anxious to get moving, to get the campaign under way.

That is, after all, what we are here for.

So why is the Rainbow Warrior out here, heading off to the sea in the middle of winter? We're kicking off the latest round of Greenpeace's Oceans campaign: to protect deep sea life from the devastation wrought by bottom trawl fishing. Earlier this year, more than 1,000 scientists from 60 countries called for a moratorium - a 'time out' - on high seas bottom trawling. Collaborating with these scientists and other organisations, Greenpeace also is calling for a United Nations moratorium on high seas bottom trawling.

So while we're out here, sailing around the New Zealand coast, we'll be shining a spotlight on the importance of deep sea life. We want to show how destructive fishing practices are transforming seamounts (underwater mountains) from lush forests, full of coral and other creatures, into watery deserts, devoid of life.

Rather than being a dark, and uninteresting place, the deep floor is teeming with life. It really is the final frontier down there - scientists estimate that there's 500,000 to 100,000,000 species inhabiting the deep ocean. Exploration of these incredible new communities has just begun, yet the bottom trawl fisheries are rapidly destroying them. Many species may become extinct before we have even discovered them.

When the bottom trawlers drop their enormous nets, nothing is safe. The mouth of each net is the length of a rugby field and three floors high. Weighted down with massive heavy rollers, they crush or swallow not only the fish, but everything in their path. This includes whole coral forests, thousands of years old. Once a seamount is laid bare, the trawlers move on, seeking fresh hunting grounds, with no guarantee that these fragile ecosystems can ever recover.

As the campaign progresses, we'll talk more about the wonders of the deep ocean, and seamounts in particular. We'll also introduce you to life on board the Rainbow Warrior. For the next few weeks, the Rainbow Warrior will be home to a large crew from around the globe. There's the regular crew - captain, first and second mates, engineers, radio operator, bosun, medic, electrician, cooks, boat mechanics and the hardworking deckhands. Then there's the campaign crew - campaigner, communications officer, marine biologist, logistics experts, videographer, photographer, and me, your web editor. Stay tuned, and we'll introduce ourselves in more detail!

May 24, 2004

Welcome Aboard...

Welcome to Mysteries of the Deep. Right now, the Rainbow Warrior is in Auckland, New Zealand. We're planning to depart on Wednesday 26th May, so be sure to check back here for daily postings by the crew.

Email The Crew

This page shows some of the emails that were sent to the crew of the Rainbow Warrior while they were in the Tasman sea chasing bottom trawlers.

Just fill in the form below, and your message will appear here for everyone to see, and also emailed to the crew.

June 22: Thank to everyone for sending messages, and apologies to those we didn't get a chance to email back. The Rainbow Warrior crew were thrilled to receive so many messages while at sea - it's good to know that people are following our voyages!

Meet The Crew

We'll be introducing the crew here as time goes by - stop by later and meet some more of us...

Beate, 2nd Engineer, Germany I started with Greenpeace in 1999 staying on board of the German Greenpeace vessel, the Beluga, for six months as engineer. Since then I have been sailing on the Rainbow Warrior. I have been involved in a variety of campaigns - forest, oil rigs, GE-Food, No-War, ship scraping... Onboard we are a very international crew and I find it a pleasure to work with people from all over the world on the same issues. It is good to get together, share what we know and do something with and about it. I think it is of utmost urgency to preserve what we have left on this planet. May it be the forests, a toxic free environment or the fish and mammals in the sea. I want to protest against exploitation of this earth. We humans are so arrogant against creation we keep destroying this world in order to make profit. Still, too few people realize that without a healthy environment we are nothing.

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Frans: Captain How long have you been on Greenpeace ships? Since 1991 I have been working on and off on the Greenpeace ships , the last six years more intensely then before. How did you get involved with Greenpeace? I found out via a jobcentre that Greenpeace was looking for a mate, so I checked and called the Greenpeace office directly and discovered that they really needed a mate at short notice. I grabbed that chance and started to work on the MV Solo, former Greenpeace Ship, on a fisheries monitoring campaign in the North Sea in Europe. That was my first start. What motivates you, why do you work the long hours as a captain, out in the ocean? It is interesting to work on the sea, for the sea with people who are enthusiastic. The combination of the different nationalities of crew and issues we work on, makes it even more exiting & interesting. The smallest messages are useful to everyone, it is not only about stopping companies from doing wrong or bad things, but even more important the mess sage we send for the future, because everybody cares in their hearts as individuals. What do you do when you're not captaining a Greenpeace ship? Creating THINGS: 3D & 2 dimensional What message would you like to give people reading this? A message for people reading this? Mmm, we are on sea, and everybody in the world got their things, so luck love happiness for all. A friend once said to me, 'no risk no fun' - maybe true, but reef the sails when you approach stormy weather, and still enjoy.

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Carmen: Campaigner My name is Carmen and I am the lead oceans campaigner on this trip. My career with Greenpeace began many moons ago, when I was a member of the Greenteam, an environmental youth network set up by Greenpeace to teach NZ’ers about campaigning. Nine years later I have been lucky enough to work in a range of roles in different countries. I have been an action logistics coordinator in Australia, New Zealand, India, South Pacific and a toxics campaigner in Australia and New Zealand. This deep sea expedition is going to be my favourite as soon as I adjust to the constant movement of the ship. I am mastering the art of typing whilst sliding around the room, eating food that bounces on my plate, and sleeping on the top bunk without falling out. Growing up on the rugged west coast of New Zealand has connected me with the oceans. But it is increasingly obvious that we are taking too much from our seas and causing extraordinary damage in the process. I hope that this expedition helps people understand the scale of destruction that is happening beyond our shores and inspires others to demand a change.

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Emma: Deckhand I am a committed activist from Brisbane. I have worked as a fundraiser for Greenpeace Australia Pacific and The Wilderness Society. This is my first time in the rough seas of New Zealand. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to consolidate all my theoretical training whilst working as a deckhand and on during my watch with the Captain from 8pm to 12am. My vision for the world is that all creatures great and small will live in balance with the planet earth. This campaign will help contribute to this vision.

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Kat: Marine biologist Kat is a marine biologist. She is originally from the US but lives in Auckland, New Zealand, where she is working on her PhD on squid with giant squid expert Steve O'Shea. She is also interested in octopus (for more on this see www.TONMO.com) and has worked with lobsters and dolphins. Kat also enjoys dry-land activities like camping and playing Scrabble (difficult to do on board) and less dramatic boating activities like canoeing. She also reads, dances Ceroc, provides spelling expertise to her pub trivia team, and travels to new places as often as time and money allow. She currently has only one gold tooth but hopes to be more pirate-like by the end of the voyage.

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Lesley: Medic/deckhand I have been sailing with Greenpeace ships for four years, mostly in areas far away from home. While all campaigns are interesting and worthwhile, it is a change and a challenge for me to be involved in a campaign that concerns my own country. Of course i am also saddened to learn just how much the fish stocks in NZ waters are diminishing, and I was blithely unaware of the destruction of fragile ecosystems and extraordinary creatures caused by trawling in deepsea fishing on seamounts. As we sail to different parts of the world, the more I see how destructive some sectors of the global community can be. I am still outraged at the environmental abuse that occurs in the name of progress or economics. My role on the Greenpeace ships has taken me to many places. I have met many very interesting and committed individuals, struggling to preserve something as essential as an uncontaminated water source or a traditional way of life, as well as others who strive on a more global level. In either case they are an inspiration and reminder that environmental issues are worth fighting for. I am very fortunate in being able to work with people from all over the world who share similar values and ideals and who are all passionate about preserving the environment of our planet for future generations.

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Derek: Radio Operator A few years ago I was a computer consultant for some big corporations. I was making a lot of money, but I felt my life was pointless. So I quit my job, joined a ceramics studio, and went back to my love of making pottery. Slowly things began to make sense again, and I decided to look for work with a non-profit group. I ended up at Greenpeace as a programmer and network administrator. Now I'm lucky enough to sail on the Rainbow Warrior as a radio operator. Now I spend my days monkeying around with every type of communications device you can think of. I'm part network administrator, programmer, radio technician, multimedia producer, and hacker (of the good kind). Each day I have the chance to make a difference in the world. So as a geek, sailor, environmentalist, and activist, it's a dream job.

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Dave: Videographer Hi I'm David Woolford, or Wooly to most people. I'm the videographer on board the Rainbow Warrior for this campaign, the 8th of my fantastic voyages with Greenpeace. I started filming for television stations back in 1982 and have probably worked for every major network in the world at some point in my travels. I reside in Adelaide, South Australia, (don't hold that against me)! and I guess living there just makes me want to travel, a lot! Seriously though, there is a tremendous satisfaction of filming issues and bringing them to the peoples lounge rooms so that it causes debate and who knows, great change to the world! If you've got the time check me out on www.cameracorp.com.au

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Francisco: Second Mate Hi, I am from Panama, and I am mostly known as FrAnDiScO. I am the Second Mate onboard, responsible for the navigation and safety equipment; when I am not busy with my duties, I am lifting weights, eating lots and lots of food and listening to nice and lovely latin music, to keep my dancing skills at the maximum level even if I am in the middle of the ocean. Hope to meet all of you soon and remember to keep on dancing.

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Chris: Logistics Coordinator The mountains of Aotearoa's (New Zealand's) Southern Alps look down over forests of incredible diversity and beauty. It was here that my desire to help protect the wild places on our planet began. I was one small part of an amazing group of people trying to save the forests of the West Coast from the destruction that was fictiously named 'sustainable logging'. Today I find my self typing this bio surrounded by mountains of a more liquid nature. These mountainous seas look down on ancient forests equally as diverse and beautiful as those of Rimu and Beech. The amazing undersea world out here is not as accessible to the public as those forests back home, but they are threatened in a similar way. Industry likes to place dollar values on stuff that they don't even own - the destruction that goes on out here for the profit of a few is destruction of life held in common for all of us. Just like back when my activist life started, I am honoured to be a small part of this amazing group of people he Chris left the high powered world of waiting on restaurant tables 3 years ago for the crazy world of Greenpeace. He hasn't looked back but can still mix a killer martini.

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Tamsin: Communications officer Today we came across hundreds of dolphins. I watched them diving and frolicking in the wake of the Rainbow Warrior. I wanted to share this with the world and with all those that wreck destruction to the environment. I am an idealist but I want to believe that we can change the way we live and achieve a balance.

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Logan: Logistics This is my first time onboard the Rainbow Warrior. I feel committed to the campaign because of my love of marine life. I have helped out Greenpeace New Zealand for five years. When I am not helping Greenpeace I make feijoa wine and I am part of an organic co-op.

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Dave - Web Editor Dave usually lives in Ireland, where he works as a web designer, writer and photographer. He's also editor of www.blather.net, a notorious website dedicated to gonzo political criticism, environmental rants and surrealist humour. After a decade manacled to a series of dotcom desks, Dave now has a desk on the Rainbow Warrior, on his first Greenpeace voyage. He'll be responsible for editing and publishing the weblog. Dave's environmental streak and fascination with marine life started by the beautiful river Slaney, where he grew up with an oar in one hand, and... an oar in the other hand too. Like other members of the crew, he's a scuba diver, but also likes a bit of nocturnal mountainbiking. Dave Walsh is a known troublemaker, and a great fan of the Eurasian otter.

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May 20, 2004

About the Rainbow Warrior

The Rainbow Warrior is perhaps the most famous Greenpeace ship due to its predecessor sinking in 1985 after French Secret Service agents planted two bombs on the ship in New Zealand...

The Rainbow Warrior

The current Rainbow Warrior was launched on 10 July 1989, the fourth anniversary of the original ship's sinking.

The ship's name was inspired by a North American indigenous prophecy that influenced the crew on board the Phyllis Cormack, during the first Greenpeace voyage. The prophecy foresees a time when humans, through greed, have destroyed the world, and the Warriors of the Rainbow rise to save it.

" There will come a time when the earth is sick and the animals and plants begin to die. Then the Indians will regain their spirit and gather people of all nations, colours and beliefs to join together in the fight to save the Earth: The Rainbow Warriors "

Since 1989, the second Rainbow Warrior has sailed all over the world, from the high Arctic to Cape Horn.

Her campaigns have included drift-net campaigns in the Pacific, anti-nuclear at Moruroa Atoll and the Marshall Islands, whaling campaigns in the North Atlantic, and toxic campaigns in Asia.

Details

The current Rainbow Warrior was built in 1957 in Yorkshire, UK. Originally called the Grampian Fame, it was a steam-powered fishing vessel. Now the ship is classified as a motor-assisted three-masted schooner rig with horizontal gaffs. (A gaff is an unusual rectangular sail.) The ship is now an ocean-going vessel equipped with the latest in electronic navigation, sailing and communication equipment.

It's 55.2 metres long, having been lengthened from 44 metres in 1966, and has a sailing speed of 5-7 knots, with a maximum speed (under engine power) of 12 knots. The Rainbow Warrior’s maximum range is 30 days. The ship is registered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, which is why it sails under a Dutch flag.

The Rainbow Warrior has a number of interesting features. Fixed to the foredeck is a 1.8-metre dolphin, carved from oak, donated by a local support group in Germany. The bridge fewatures the wheel from the original Rainbow Warrior, while the original bell hangs in the ship's mess.

The Rainbow Warrior doesn't just campaign for the environment. It is also a virtual showcase of environmentally friendly technologies. Many of these have been installed by Greenpeace since it was first launched in 1989. They include:

• A specially designed, fuel-saving, combined wind/motor propulsion system
  
• A heating and hot water system that uses waste heat from the engines.
  
• A desalinisation plant
  
• A sewage treatment system
  

Specifications

Port of registry: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Date of purchase: 1987
Number of berths: 30
Number of inflatables:
     1 Avon Searider 1x 200hp optimax outboard
     2 Novurania 45hp 4 stroke outboards
     2 Lancers 45hp 4 Stroke outboard

Type of ship: Indo Sail Schooner
Call sign: PC 8024
Built: 1957 by Cochrane & Sons, Selby, U.K.
Gross tons: 555
Length: 55.20 m
Breadth: 8.54 m
Draught: 4.5 m
Maximum speed: 12 knots (2 engines, 3000 L/dayEngines: 2 Diesel type Deutz M.W.M. 2 x 6 Cylinder, 2 x 500kW)
Sailing Speed: 7-10knots average
Sails: 650 m2
Max Airdraft: 36m

Take a virtual tour of the Rainbow Warrior »