My name is Ed, I'm from the North west of England. I am sailing as deckhand on the Warrior at the moment. For around three years now I have been sailing with Greenpeace, and I have been fortunate enough to sail on all the ships currently in the fleet. I first had the opportunity to sail with Greenpeace when volunteers were required for the Warrior's tour of the U.K and Ireland, which was mainly a whale and Dolphin survey. Later, the ship was requested in North West Spain for the oil spill from the tanker Prestige. Arriving in La Coruna was one of the most inspirational experiences, as there were around one hundred boats to meet us, and maybe two thousand people waiting on the quayside.

All this, plus the experience of sailing with some very dedicated crew and volunteers, had a very good effect on me. So I was hooked. I suppose my previous experince in inshore rescue and some basic nautical qualifications helped my cause for more sailing.

I am sailing at the moment as part of the Seamounts campaign, against destructive bottom trawling, in the Tasman Sea. At first, it appears that it's a lot of effort and resources for a bunch of very unfortunate, and also very ugly fish, but as we know everything is linked in the greater picture, so it is just as important as other campaigns.

Earlier in the trip, the sea state was pretty rough, with a large messy swell, I think this is the main reason for the strange sounds comming from adjoining cabins, of people vomiting and uttering exhausted moans and groans in pain and relief.

Touch wood, so far I am OK, thank God - and the weather is better now. A few mornings ago we were being followed by a shark and there are also no shortages of albatross, sure enough before long we will be joined again by some playful dolphins. Survival on board is made easier if you can live alongside many different types of people in close proximity, with a lot of understanding and tolerance to noise and sleep deprivation. It can be hard when you miss family, friends and people with whom you are intimate, but when those thoughts appear, it is good to look forward even more to seeing them again at the end of the journey.

In my time ashore I need alot of rest and peaceful time in the hills, and I also try to educate myself and mushroom my awareness of the way things are, and how the miscreants that are ruining the planet can be stopped or changed.

My hope is that one day soon we can all see clearly and gain a better understanding of the natural cycles of creation and destruction, so we may have a better overview, which would help everyone to take more action in maintaining the wonder of this planet. Give me somewhere that I can grow some potatoes and watch little rabbits playing in the sunshine, and I am happy.

- Ed