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
Posted by: lauren wildbolz at June 12, 2004 09:58 PM
"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 "
Posted by: Kimberley Clerk at June 8, 2004 05:16 AM
Kia ora Dave,
Last year I wrote a book called "A Bonfire in My Mouth" which will give you the story of the genesis of the "Rainbow Warrior". I was the person who named the ship and signed the cheque which bought it. Pls read the book to give you a background of the ship and what inspired her name. The quote you use is not entirely accurate. Have you read "Warriors of the Rainbow"?
More importantly, there was, and will always be, only one Rainbow Warrior. Her successor was named Rainbow Warrior II (two) because of that fact. It is important to make the distinction when writing about the RWII. I don't think the RWII is famous because of the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, but because of this ship's legendary history. If you read my book, you'll understand what I mean.
Greenpeace has changed greatly over the years, and there would be those who would say it has little to do with its iconoclastic roots. Rex Wyler's book "Greenpeace. How a group of ecologists, journalists and visionaries changed the world" is coming out this year. It is a history of the organisation up until 1981 and he has incorporated material from my book as well. We hope to be touring Aotearoa together at a later date. Rex' famous photo of Fred Easton and Pat Moore in front of the Russian whaling fleet is the front cover and still sends a shiver up my spine everytime I see it.
I gave someone a copy of my book last year to take to the RWII so it may still be on board. Have a read and see what you think, and I hope you will be able to gain a deeper appreciation for the Rainbow Warrior, the mana this name holds, and how important it is to get the organisation's whakapapa right!
