Name: Luke From: British [editor's note: Luke does not like to be pigeonholed by nationality] Job: Engineer
How did you come to be working on Greenpeace ships?
Several years ago I was living in Amsterdam, and volunteering for a small environmental organization. I had a friend who was working for Greenpeace, and they called me to come and do a couple of weeks work on a new ship, which they had acquired and needed to convert.
Two weeks turned to three, and three to four. Six months later, having worked through the entire conversion, I was lucky enough to sail with the ship on its maiden voyage, and am still here sailing today. I have worked in both the deck departments and now the engine room, so I am in a privileged position of knowing all areas and systems of the ship.
What do you do when you are not on board?
When I am not sailing, I live in Spain in a community project based just outside of Barcelona. There we work with local and international people on ecological issues, resource management (such as water, forest energy), food production, sustainability and autonomy. It is really a very beautiful place, which I miss a lot when onboard.
What is your favorite thing to do on the ship?
I really enjoy the life and work onboard. It is such a varied existence that it is basically impossible to pinpoint any one favorite activity. However, the times that I am most content always seem to come when we are a long,long way from land, surrounded only by the oceans, skies and the creatures that abode there. What I love about the oceans is that they have no frontiers. You can pass without hindrance from one to another, free from the racist idiocy of immigration policies.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
If I really could change one thing in the world tomorrow, it would be to abolish political borders, and allow free and uninhibited migration for all, not just us fortunate Westerners.
Comments
Thanks for the blog tip ...... wonderful stuff.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. Best wishes to all your shipmates ...... keep up the good work.
Huge hugs
M and D
Posted by: MumnDad at August 10, 2005 09:41 AM
Hi Luke,
Nice to know you're out there. Remember the party we had in Barcelona when RW was down the Rambla ?
Full power for this great campaign my friends !
Best thoughts to all crew
