Shipping out...

From winter in drought ridden Sydney to summer on the glamorous North Sea, I find myself on the MV Esperanza writing the weblog. There are 4 of us in my "cabin", updates will be sent by email via the "radio room" and as normal I eat in "the mess", though this time it's shared with 36 others. Ready to test for sea legs and writers arms. I have two months to learn about and to show you around one of the most over exploited regions of our blue planet.

Greenpeace has just released a report proposing the creation of 7 Marine Reserves covering 40% of the North Sea as well as 10 Marine Reserves covering over 40% off the Baltic Sea. The North Sea Marine Reserves would be located in the waters of the UK, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. It is a truly international effort which is reflected in the crew, whose languages and accents add to an awareness to the importance of our task.

This particular campaign has only just begun and we are highlighting the urgency of the situation as well as showing that there really is something left to save. Greenpeace has some pretty amazing people on board including scientists and experts in marine issues and the environment of the North Sea. It's a 10 week tour and I will be adding to the crew profiles as new members come onboard.

Already the watery expanse has developed beyond its expected shades of grey. Photographs taken in the area over the past two weeks have surprised us all.

I'm not sure what to expect from this trip - first time on a boat and already missing my constant access to the internet, oh and friends and family of course! The areas that we will be visiting I've only heard of on the shipping forecast late at night on the BBC. So far so good, and the small swell is gently rocking the MV Esperanza as we head towards our first destination, the Dogger Bank.

- Elaine

Posted by Justine

well done, stay safe, keep warm, eat well, write often, be cool ... have fun !

:-p

"first time on a boat and already missing my constant access to the internet, oh and friends and family of course!"

Oh stop yer wining!! :-)). I'd swap you my DSL and all my friends for just a day in your shoes! ...(not sure what that says about my feelings for my friends but hell.... I don't care!)

10-4-10-4! Do you read me??

Hey Justine? Are you over the Hill? Or are you just leading me down the garden Lain(ey)?

Love to the seals

R

Thanks for all your hard work...keep it up!