Life on the Rainbow Warrior
Lesley is the ship's medic on board the Rainbow Warrior right now, and she sent me an update about how things are going on the "road to Bali" - that's what we've been calling all this lead up work (actions against coal, nuclear power and deforestation around the world, plus tons of behind the scenes political work).
This all culminates with the United Nations Climate Change Conference - Bali, 3 - 14 December, when governments meet to decide the fate of our world (literally).
But as Lesley explains, the work is never as 'glamorous' as it looks from the outside:
The ‘Road to Bali’ has an exotic sound to it and while the Rainbow Warrior is on this road there are interesting and challenging sidetracks, some of which are less than exotic. India and Singapore are now behind us and this is day 6 at anchor in Dumai Port.
Some of these less exotic highlights of our time in Dumai port include:
An unusual anchoring system, which held the ship on the bow and the stern so that she did not swing around as the tide changed. Changing position and retrieving the anchors meant that some of us got to spend time laying the anchor chain in the chain lockers (several times!) These chain lockers are like small dark sweatboxes with rust dust and danger added. The person inside eventually exits with damp, blackened overalls and fascinating dark streaky features.
Pirate watchesBecause of the situation with piracy in this region, we have had extra lookouts on watch 24 hours a day and this means that all the watch keepers, when not scanning the sea in the dark, are sleeping at different times. With 10 extra people on board, the ship would usually seem quite crowded and busy, and although there are busy people, the only times we see many of the crew and guests is at meals (with our excellent cook, meals are not to be missed)
Water conservationWe have 24 people on board this small vessel and must conserve water, therefore no laundering. The number of times that our nice campaign T- shirts can be worn in this warm climate before becoming offensive is limited. Today, the ban on laundry has been lifted, the washing machine is doing overtime and we can cohabit happily again.
Right at this moment our anchor is being lifted and we are on our way to Jakarta to continue our journey on the Road to Bali.
Comments
Hello and a wonderful read...there is so much that i would love to say to you all here from South Africa... i read and reread furvently all possible from Greenpeace... am a signed up member and really endeavour to do my best at creating an awareness... i will be sending my cv along in an attempt to volunteer on one of the vessels... so maybe ... and hopefully... we will meet again...well i wish yo all well in your endevours... we here think about you all constantly and wish you all peace and love... throught this time of enormous change... go well love to you all from sunny south africa... the east coast... as we approach a very wierd summer... we join hands... in love always G
Posted by: GLYNIS | November 30, 2007 3:23 PM