Day one

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21 November 2005

by Andrew, onboard the Esperanza

©Greenpeace/Sutton-Hibbert

We left Cape Town yesterday afternoon with a police escort, and amidst some fan fair. The authorities had been on high alert while we were in town, and kept us under close surveillance the whole time. But I think some of the port security guards were actually sorry to see us go, and the marine police must have enjoyed the chance to get out to sea for a bit. I know I saw one of their boats airborne at one point.

We launched four of our boats as well and the helicopter, and put up the, "Defending The Whales", banners along the railings. It was quite a show, but then you don't depart on the biggest ship expedition in Greenpeace history without making a big deal of it. It's all part of letting people know they can help save our oceans.

It's always a bit strange heading out to sea for a long voyage - leaving behind departing crewmembers, the shore based team, friends, family and civilization in general. This time it felt doubly strange because we also left behind the crew of the Sunrise. Well, we didn't leave them behind exactly. They are coming with us in their own ship, but we won't be seeing much of them face to face. They're on their ship, and we're on ours. Hopefully we'll get to visit sometimes though.

©Greenpeace/Sutton-Hibbert
A movie set facimilie
or the Rainbow
Warrior.

Even more weird was passing a third "Greenpeace" ship on our way out of port. A French documentary company has created a facsimile of the first Rainbow Warrior, and are filming a documentary about it. (More details about that in an upcoming post.) The set crew and everyone on board stopped work to cheer us on enthusiastically. It was a great sight, and a reminder of the history involved. The very first campaign of the first Rainbow Warrior was to protest Icelandic commercial whaling. It makes you think about all of the people - with Greenpeace, with other groups and just on their own - who over the years have put time and effort into defending our oceans. We owe it to them to do our part well.

Comments

Good luck to you all...
Some time ago an old friend, he loves the sea und nature, told me, for him GREENPEACE is shit ! First I wonder now I commiserate with him.
Never forget, you can't sink a rainbow...

PS some lovely greetings to my sisterheart Regine

Posted by: cyber-basti at November 21, 2005 3:43 PM

re. the "third" Greenpeace ship docked at Cape Town:
the documentary on the 1985 RW-bombing is produced by the French TV-channel Canal-Plus. Pierre Boutron is the director; the script is written by Dan Franck; Joey Fare is the producer. The movie is expected on French screens by mid-2006.

Posted by: francois at November 22, 2005 8:25 AM

I would like to wish all the crews very good luck and safe passage in there quest to stop this barbaric whale hunting.Defend our Oceans

Posted by: Sea Urchin at November 22, 2005 10:00 AM

Great work guys! Great website! A family member has asked me if you will be undertaking any bathymetric mapping in Southern ocean?

Posted by: cc at November 22, 2005 2:59 PM

We will be doing some science work on this trip, although no bathymetric mapping. Our primary and by far over riding purpose of our Southern Ocean expedition is to defend the whales, and this is where we are devoting the vast amount of our resources. It is a huge challenge as it is. I should point out though that there are other organizations and governments doing vital scientific research in the Antarctic region, and we certainly saulute their hard work.

For more on bathymetric mapping try this site...
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/gebco/gebco.html

And one place to find first hand accounts from scientists in Antarctica is here...
http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=38

Posted by: Andrew - Esperanza web editor at November 24, 2005 1:49 PM

All updates from the Southern Ocean whaling 2007 leg »
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All updates from the Mexico leg »
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All updates from the Red Sea leg »
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All updates from the Pirate Fishing/Africa leg »
All updates from the Southern Ocean »

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