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...
Comments
Hi, we came aboard the Rainbow Warrior when she was in Auckland,
a lot of people are talking about the bottom trawling and the sea mounts now and the campaign is working well.
Great to hear you were accompanied by all those dolphins and the photos were great. Hope the seas aren't too rough
See ya,
Christine & Stephen
Posted by: christine at June 2, 2004 06:17 PM
Sculptures and images of dolphins on ships are supposed to bring luck. And you have the "real thing" also - even better!
Safe sailing, rainbow warriors.
Posted by: Iréne at June 2, 2004 02:08 AM
hi, nice to know some words from rainbow warrior again.. just want to ask some thing, can you guys send me the picture of dolphin, please... thanks
Dolphins are beautiful creatures arn't they! I have only seen then close up and in their natural environment off the coast of Greece. You are so blessed having them swim alongside Rainbow Warrior. They certainly know who there friends are - that's for sure!
