© Greenpeace/Beltra

Here we are again. For the third time down south and every time I get back to land, I say to myself; I won't go down there again. And yet here I am again. The weather makes it a bit like hell on the way down and back up, but the beauty near all that ice, the albatrosses and above all the whales is incredible.

We said last year that we would finish the job, for once and for all. But then the sad news arrived, that in the International Whaling Commission, the Japanese government was able to buy a lot of votes.

With the votes of the countries to whom they gave development money, they hope to break open the sanctuary regulations so then they could go back to commercial whaling. So in the last IWC meeting the amount of counties voting against whaling were losing ground to the pro whaling side! So we have to go back and create more awareness on what's happening.

This time we have to be able to that! And I'm here to my little bit to help.

- Emilie

© Greenpeace/Beltra

My name is Hernán, I do documentaries. I've been collaborating with Greenpeace for ten years now. During this time I've had the chance to work and mature as a professional and take part in such a noble task which I adhere to, which is the protection of the environment.

Thanks to Greenpeace I've got to know infinite amount of places, people and cultures. Not always these images where pleasant. My job, above all other, is to show, via my camera, the destruction of the planet and the injustices human beings commit.

This pain and desolation is my motivation to keep on fighting in order to change this reality. I'm a witness and I point out our responsiblities. I spread the word. This is what I do every time I put my camera on my shoulder. Knowing that you are there, sharing the same ideal and willing to participate, encourages me to keep on with the hard work.

Alone, we are only a drop of water, but together we are an ocean. I am convinced that as one we will change the way in which humans interact with the environment. No abuses, in equilibrium and harmony. Future generations deserve to enjoy of this wonderful planet, as much as we do.

- Hernán

© Greenpeace/Beltra

Hi my name is Laith and I am a Helicopter Technician and Pilot, I've always loved helicopters and when asked if I would join an expedition to Antarctica to look after one I didn't have to think too hard about it.

I have a background in the NZ Air Force, but not long after I joined they stopped operating helicopters on the ice, which was disappointing as I had always wanted to see the Southern Ocean. I am a keen diver and have spent much of my spare time appreciating the ocean and its offerings which is why I am only too happy to take on this first time experience, if I can help by doing what I love then as far as I am concerned I am the one gaining the most benefit.

I realise that the helicopter plays a very important role on this expedition but that role can not be fulfilled without the people who make it possible, I hope to do my best beside those people in the hope that we can make difference.

- Laith

© Greenpeace/Beltra

Unlike a surprisingly large number of people that I meet on Greenpeace boats, I'm not multicultural and don't speak two or three languages fluently. I'm the typical Englishman. Born in London, always lived in England and only speak one language, English!

I first worked with Greenpeace 13 years ago when they were looking for an underwater cameraman and photographer to dive on Driftnets at 3am. A mutual friend suggested he might know someone mad enough to do that and so my Greenpeace life began. Since then I've dived on every kind of fishing net you can think of, taken samples from undersea nuclear pipelines, camped on the arctic sea ice, swam with whales and been shot at by fishermen. Life as a Greenpeace cameraman can be unpredictable but rarely dull.

I specialise in underwater and underground filming and photography, equally happy behind a video or stills camera. When I'm not working with Greenpeace I spend my time either beneath the waves or down caves working for clients such as dive magazines and the BBC with the odd very boring corporate video shoot thrown in to pay the bills...

I love the challenge of trying to find new ways to film and photo things, often building specialised filming rigs to get the shot. Greenpeace offers many opportunities to meet these challenges. Onboard the Esperanza you're as likely to find me in the engineering workshop building yet another strange camera mount as in the edit suite or photo room. For this Southern Ocean trip I've build a gyro stabilised camera mount for the helicopter, waterproof helmet camera's for the boat drivers and an array of other camera systems to try to give the viewer the first hand experience of what it's like to be involved in these anti-whaling campaigns.

As well as shooting video for Greenpeace on this trip, I'm also making my own independent documentary about the trip for release on DVD later this year.
Diving with sharks... no problem... flying my motorised paraglider... no problem... underwater caves... no problem... spiders... utterly terrifying...

You can see some more of my work for Greenpeace and others on my website at: www.underworld-productions.com

- Gavin

© Greenpeace/Beltra

My name is Erich Boehm. But everybody calls me Joe. I was born in 1954 in Bruck/Mur, that's in Austria. After my time in school, I've learned a job as a carpenter but pretty soon, I wanted to see the world, so I started a job as an engineer on a ship and traveled for 5 years around the world.

After my time as a seaman, I worked for a few years in Russia and met my wife. Now we have two sons and live on a farm more than 1000m above sea level in the mountains.

It was 10 years ago when Greenpeace Austria was looking for somebody in the warehouse, and lucky me, I got the job!

In the last few years I spent more time in some of the east European countries than at home. Two years ago, I started to work in our oceans campaign and when I heard about the the plans of the Southern Ocean tour, I thought, one of us must go onto the Esperanza to join the expedition! And well, what can I say? I was chosen by our team, so last year down to the Southern Ocean.

From the very first beginning, I helped with pump system that we used to block the view of the whaler's harpoon.

I also wrote a weblog and was surprised how many people where reading it, and how many answers we got!

This year I got a call at my birthday, and was told, to join the tour in 2007 again! It was a hard trip last year, we stayed three months and it wasn't easy for me, but I decided, to come again!

- Joe

© Greenpeace/Beltra

Greenpeace has taken me to many beautiful places in the past 8.5 years, from ancient forests in Finland, to the Dogger Bank in the North Sea and now for the second time to the Southern Ocean.

My start with Greenpeace was a desk job at the international office in Amsterdam. Not long after that I became a volunteer for the Dutch action team, where I learned to drive the inflatable boats and took part in many different actions. They showed me how much you can accomplish when you stand up for the things you believe in. I've changed my jobs, worked both in and outside of Greenpeace, but always stayed a volunteer for the action team.

The sea and all the life in it has a special place in my heart. Maybe this is because of living close to the sea when I grew up. Or maybe because the underwater animals and plants keep surprising me with their beauty and characteristics when I go diving. There is still so much we can learn about them. Of all the campaigns I've been part of, last year's expedition in the Southern Ocean was the most special. It was a trip of extremes. I saw nature at its best and human impact at its worst. I don’t know what will happen this year, I only hope that the whale sanctuary in the Southern Ocean will become a true sanctuary, protected even from so called 'scientific whaling'.

- Jetske

Visit Jetske's blog in Dutch »

© Greenpeace/Beltra

Merhaba, Serkan, coming from Middle East, Turkey, Istanbul and heading to south to meet with the whales and protect them from harpoons - so that they aren't inside 250 gram or half kilo meat product package for human consumption. Two thirds of the whole population of Japan is against whaling in high seas for so called scientific research, which this year will more than thousand of whales... marketing science products... nice try... right now in Antarctic icy waters...

Almost six years working on the Greenpeace Ships; the Rainbow Warrior, Esperanza and Arctic Sunrise, and on the land in Turkish office, a part of the Greenpeace Mediterranean with Lebanon, Israel and Malta. Beside this, making flying effects for the videos and movies within the climbing team called Vertigo in Istanbul.



Here on Esperanza, I am at the ultimate point of dreaming, feeling, thinking and acting. The inspiring mood on board coming from the people, the biggest crew, all around the world. Physically 38 people on board the Esperanza from 16 different lands on earth. Many worlds on this beautiful planet... now we are here heading to the south on the Esperanza with esperanza (hope). All ready to stop the whalers killing, trying to give the whales a chance to balance their population in their very sensitive ecosystem...

Join us, the biggest crew working for the life in the oceans.

Here we all are the whales

Todos somos ballenas aqui

Hepimiz burada balinalariz

- Serkan

Hi. My name is Tweety, and I am the Greenpeace helicopter. I thought that you might like to know some things about me, and the role I play.

Like any respectable lady, I will not disclose my age. I have a lot of experience, yet have retained my youth due to a lot of tender loving care.

My family breeding designates me as an MD 369, or Hughes 500 D.

We were originally based in Vietnam with the military, but then moved out into civilian life, where I was born. Here, I became very popular owing to my sleek performance and good looks. I have many cousins who crave after my refinement and abilities, but alas I remain unique, and very popular with pilots.

My performance is generated from a powerful Alison 250B jet turbine engine. This is coupled to a gearbox driving 5 main rotor blades that give me the smooth performance that my lesser two-bladed cousins lack. When I am coming you will hear me humming as I get close, where as my two-bladed cousins just whack away, making a lot of noise. This made me quite stealthy and able to come and go without disturbing the environment around me too much.

At best, I can support 5 people, but I prefer it when there are only 3. This does not impede on my performance too much, but for one person, the pilot – I am a dream.

Most of the time I work with photographers, they are demanding, but respectful. I try to give them the best shots, but to do this I have to remove my doors and let them hang out.

At work I am fast and accurate, with the ability to outperform many of my rivals. My agility, for my size and age, can not really be matched. I am as happy performing an old time waltz as I am doing rock and roll. I do not do rap, and to date, I have never done a break dance...

My life with Greenpeace has taken me all over world, where I have witnessed beauty and atrocities. I have soared over the mountains of Alaska, and I have sweated pure kerosene in the jungles of the Amazon. I have spent long hours at sea trying to stop pirates, and many hours helping to expose the beauty of whales, and other animal life, whose very existence is being threatened by our financial greed. All my time is dedicated to gathering documentation and helping people who are less fortunate than us.

I know that I am not the most ecological being, but my abilities can not be substituted at this time in my evolution, so to that end, I hope that you will understand that I am here to expose to you some of the criminals that are being unwittingly supported by the public, and plundering our fragile resources.

- Tweety

© Greenpeace/Beltra

My little niece Mimi asked me if I would say hello to the polar bears when I go to the South Pole - I had to explain that there aren't any there. Penguins are south, polar bears are north. It has been my dream to see Antarctica and all that is there for some time, so I am very excited to be on this trip.

The reason for going is not so appealing, though. All of the figures about the number of whales still being killed in the Southern Ocean - nearly 1,000 this year, including endangered species are too awful, but the figure that really sticks in my mind for last year was the number of pregnant and nursing whales that were killed.

Of all the mature female whales that were killed last year - a nearly 94% were either pregnant or nursing, so leaving young whales to starve to death and unborn ones to die inside their mothers.

And all of that, for an industry that doesn't make sense environmentally, scientifically or economically.

I've just spent the last two years planning and working on the Defending Our Oceans expedition looking at all of the threats to our oceans, but just as importantly, all the amazing stuff that is in them, that we would be insane to allow to go to waste. For me, whaling in one of the worst examples of pointless, needless waste of ocean life, so I am very glad to get the chance to try to stop it from happening. I hope that as many of you that can sign up and campaign with us - we can't do it without you! (or the Fluffy Red Dog - yes! He's back!)

If you want the boring CV stuff: I live in Amsterdam, Irish, born in England, TV journalist/presenter for 15 years before joining Greenpeace. Whales on the other hand are far more interesting live between the polar regions and warmer tropical waters where they feed and breed... would laugh at the thought of a migration from UK to Amsterdam - as they migrate thousands of miles each year. Talking of laughing - no they don't but their songs can be heard up to 1,500 miles away. Even my laugh can't match that. I have a stack of amazing whale facts - so stay tuned for more...

-Sara

Sara's profile from the West Africa Pirate Fishing leg of Defending our Oceans »

© Greenpeace/Beltra

Last year I joined the Southern Ocean Tour on the Arctic Sunrise, a smaller ship, that was moving much more in the waves than the Esperanza...

My name is Regine, I live in Germany and work for the German actions unit. I've been a Greenpeace boat trainer for six years, and I've also spent three years as part of the international trainer team.

For nine years I've organising, whalewatching expeditions to the Arctic, in my free time. These animals fascinate me more I can say! I think whaling is not necessary. Nobody needs dead whales! Not for food, not for science! There are much more effective methods, to study these amazing animals. There are not many whales left! Even since the moratorium, the stocks have not recovered! Because of all this, and my personal feelings about our oceans and the animals in them, I'm here to help protect what the governments of all our countries can't, or don't.

-Regine

Permalink  |  Comments (3)

24 January 2007

Last night anywhere near land

By Dave, on the Esperanza

It's another warm, clammy night here, in the campaign office of the Esperanza. There's no one here, but us chickens - Sara and I, glued to our laptops. You'd think we'd be out savouring the delights of urban life, but no, tonight, that's not our path. We've too much to do.

Tomorrow morning is our pre-voyage press conference - and then we're scheduled to depart at 1600 tomorrow, New Zealand Time, with all our crew, supplies and equipment on board. We'll be heading down the east coast of the North Island, heading for the Southern Ocean through the roaring forties, furious fifties and the screaming sixties.

It's down in the wild Southern Ocean that we'll find the whaling fleet, and we'll be making sure they don't go home with a full quota of dead minke or fin whales.

The adventure is just about to begin... you can take part too. Keep watching the Ocean Defenders blog and sign up to our crew on whales.greenpeace.org

Permalink  |  Comments (1)

Karli - Expedition Leader

Permalink  |  Comments (22)

Melanie - Campaigner

Permalink  |  Comments (5)

Sakyo - Campaigner

Permalink  |  Comments (12)

23 January 2007

Iceland's sustainable whaling? Yeah, right!

Posted by Dave, on the Esperanza

Dumping site for 179 tonnes of whale entrails in Iceland
© Greenpeace / Arnkvaern

In late 2006 a single whaler, given a commercial license by the Icelandic government, hunted and killed seven fin whales. This caused huge public and political controversy, both in Iceland an internationally.

Now, some of our activists in Iceland have been hard at work, discovering whopping 200 tonnes of meat and blubber from endangered fin whales still in storage - awaiting tests for chemical contamination.

Continue reading...  |  Permalink  |  Comments (31)

20 January 2007

The Preparation continues on board the Esperanza, and Edmund Hillary speaks out against whaling!

Posted by Dave, on the Esperanza

Hernan giving a presentation about IGO

Well, the last Open Boat is done, and the Esperanza has temporarily moved to another part of Auckland harbour, continuing the ongoing preparations for our expedition to the Southern Ocean. Nearly all the crew have arrived, and everyone is getting to know each other, and some of us even managed to grab a few hours off from thinking about ships and whales and environmentalism. Just a few hours, mind.

Last night, Greenpeace New Zealand held a party so that local staff and activists could get to know the crew of the Espy, and today, Hernan did a presentation in the Greenpeace office about the IGO project. It's been a busy few days!

Meanwhile, Mount Everest hero Sir Edmund Hillary has been at Scott base in the Antarctic for what he says his last time. While there, he took the time to criticise the Japanese government, who he said do not "seem to have accepted that these creatures, wonderful creatures that they are, should be carefully protected".

Everest, Antarctic explorer Hillary returns to frozen continent on last time

Permalink  |  Comments (3)

Open Boat - and some new recruits...

Posted by Dave, on the Esperanza

© Greenpeace/Walsh

A week ago, John wrote about hosting "open boat" days. Today we had another busy day (with the final Auckland public day being tomorrow, Sunday) with hundreds of people coming on board to find out what we do. Apart from advertising in the media, anyone we bumped into got asked along - people we met in shops, bars and restaurants. This evening, after the Esperanza had 'closed' for the day, I got talking to a German couple who had just arrived on a flight from Fiji (no visible coup-related trouble, they assured me) who pledged to come back to visit tomorrow.

For me, the most interesting visitor of the day was a gentleman named Tony. You see, on my arrival into Auckland airport on Monday, one of my bags was missing. I registered the loss at the baggage desk, and headed for the ship. On Tuesday morning, I phoned the airport, and got talking to one of the baggage staff, who queried first my (Irish) accent and then the address I'd given: "The Big Blue Ship on Prince's Wharf, beside the Hilton Hotel". I told him it was the Esperanza - and he knew all about the whaling campaign. He promised to find my bag, and I invited him to visit the ship.

Continue reading...  |  Permalink  |  Comments (4)

New Zealand Minister for Conservation visits Esperanza!

Posted by Dave, on the Esperanza

The Esperanza's captain, Frank Kamp (left) talking to New Zealand's Minister Chris Carter and Greenpeace New Zealand's Bunny McDiarmid on board the Esperanza
© Greenpeace/Walsh

Life on board the Esperanza ain't always paint-scraping and seasickness and dolphins - last night saw plenty of landlubber guests on board the Esperanza here in Auckland, for a gathering of "friends and allies". Amongst them were New Zealand's Conservation Minister Chris Carter and the Department of Conservation's Mike Donoghue - a real live whale expert.

Continue reading...  |  Permalink  |  Comments (2)

Defending our Oceans is Smart!

As Adele has posted over on the Making Waves blog, we've just made (at the time of posting) the #2 spot on a list of the "59 Smartest Orgs online as chosen by GetActive, NetSquared and Squidoo". They say:

"These are organizations that give their volunteers and members a voice and get out of the way. They're pros at mobilizing awareness online. They're experimentors. Innovators. On a mission. They're fearless....These aren't just orgs that throw up a video or a forum or a MySpace page and stop."

Read more here - and vote for us!

Permalink

Dave - Web Editor

Permalink  |  Comments (13)

19 January 2007

Free trade means empty oceans: Nairobi Part II

By Daniel, in Nairobi

Carrying the heavy Trading Away Our Oceans reports to Nairobi was well worth it. The launch at Nairobi’s oldest building (if you ignore the railway station) went well. Sometimes Defending our Oceans takes us to some unusual locations and ok, it did feel a bit funny to talk about justice and the need for fairer fisheries in a symbol of Kenya’s colonial past: the Norfolk Hotel. But our message was clearly received – and compared to where trade ministers will meet in Davos next week, I am sure even the Norfolk was modest.

Continue reading...  |  Permalink

Ocean Defenders TV: Jetske Arrives in Auckland

Freshly arrived from the Netherlands, here's Jetske, one of our boat drivers. She looks back on her experiences of last year's expedition and wonder what might lie ahead this year.

Ok, so she's on board - but you're gonna have to come here too!

Meet Jetske on Ocean Defenders TV »

Permalink  |  Comments (2)

18 January 2007

The Esperanza by Night

By Dave, on the Esperanza

View from the deck of the Esperanza, Auckland, January 2007
© Greenpeace/Walsh

The last time I was in Auckland, was in 2005, when I joined the Rainbow Warrior for the bottom trawling expedition to the Tasman Sea. Right before we left, I did a long exposure from the deck of the ship, from our berth at Prince's Wharf, showing the deck and the skyline of Auckland, with the inevitable view of the Sky Tower.

Rainbow Warrior in Auckland, May 2005
© Greenpeace/Walsh

On this visit, the Esperanza is at the other side of the wharf, with less of a city skyline, but still with a view of the Sky Tower. So, last night, I was inspired to take another photograph from on top of the Esperanza's Heli-deck. Enjoy!

Deja Vu - The Rainbow Warrior is back in Auckland »

Permalink  |  Comments (2)

Want to come go to the Southern Ocean with Us?

Well, you can, with I-Go!

Yes folks, we're looking for a whopping 30,000 campaigners to join the Esperanza as we sail to the Southern Ocean. OK, so the ship might only accomodate 35 crewmembers, but we need all of you guys to come along with us. So there's jobs available:

JOB DESCRIPTION: Become a Greenpeace campaigner by signing on to whales.greenpeace.org in order to create a truly global campaign to defend the whales.

BACKGROUND: Greenpeace actions against whaling fleets brought about a moratorium on commercial whaling over twenty years ago. However, in recent years, against the wishes of more than 70% of Japanese people and in the face of international condemnation, the Fisheries Agency of Japan has spent millions of dollars of Japanese taxpayers money pursuing a campaign to reintroduce commercial whaling and the hunting of endangered species.

LOCATION: Anywhere in the world where you can log on to: whales.greenpeace.org and take action.

QUALIFICATIONS: Possess great ideas, is willing to campaign relentlessly to defend the whales and ensure the Southern Ocean becomes a true sanctuary for all whales. Has a positive and constructive approach, racist jerks need not apply.

REWARDS: Become part of the biggest crew to sail to the Southern Ocean, just by surfing the Internet. Have your idea used by the Greenpeace crew to defend the whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary

BENEFITS: No need to endure rough weather and terrible seasickness!

Ok, so where do I sign up for this madness? »

Permalink  |  Comments (15)

17 January 2007

Trading Away Our Oceans

By Daniel, in Nairobi

It’s been a couple of months, since we haunted the World Trade Organization building in Geneva with our news that trade liberalization in fisheries are bad news for people and the planet.

But this Friday, as global global civil society is heading to Nairobi for the
World Social Forum , the time has come for a
follow up. My luggage will be heavy for Nairobi. I will be carrying dozens of
copies of “Trading Away Our Oceans”. We will launch this new report at the
Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi Friday at 11am. The room we have booked is next to the
pool, the Hotel staff inform me. Hope there won’t be any sharks in it!

Continue reading...  |  Permalink

16 January 2007

New webbie on board

Well, not that new

Hi - I'm Dave, the latest web editor to join the Esperanza. I'm no stranger to Greenpeace shiplife, indeed some of you might remember me from previous adventures like Pirate Fishing: West Africa. Right now I'm posting from the Greenpeace NZ office, while the Esperanza is pulled up at nearby Prince's Wharf, in Downtown Auckland.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be guiding your through our adventures in the Southern Ocean, where we'll be in pursuit of the whaling fleet. We can't do it on our own though - Join our virtual crew and post your ideas to save whales!

If your in New Zealand, come visit the Esperanza this weekend!

Where: Princes Wharf, Auckland (behind the Maritime Museum)

Dates: 20 & 21 January 2007

Time: 10am - 4pm

Entry is free. Your koha/donation is appreciated and will help our voyage.

The open boat days will be on regardless of weather.

For more info, contact Greenpeace NZ.

Continue reading...  |  Permalink  |  Comments (6)

15 January 2007

Remember...

By John Bowler, in New Zealand

Today’s blog is not about the Esperanza or the whale campaign or how the Open Boat went today (for your information it was great, 500+ visitors and the sun shone brightly). Although I really enjoyed it again today my head (and my heart) was elsewhere.

I have been with Greenpeace for 20 years and during that time have travelled widely, but I have never been to New Zealand before. Yes, this is my first time in Auckland and so I had to check out Marsden Warf just about one kilometre away from Princes Warf where the Esperanza proudly sits.

Continue reading...  |  Permalink  |  Comments (3)

14 January 2007

Five days later

By John Bowler, in New Zealand

It’s now five days since the Esperanza arrived in Auckland. During this time we have been busy with crew going and coming, repairs and maintenance, and the arrival of equipment for the upcoming Southern Ocean voyage.

It has been a busy five days, full of hard work, long hours and constant discussions over the strategy and tactics to be employed to stop whaling in the sanctuary.

Continue reading...  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)

10 January 2007

The Esperanza sings

By Sara, at Princes Wharf in Auckland

After 15 years working in television news, I now know why I spent all my time IN FRONT of the camera and not behind it - because I am a rubbish camera woman. The lovely surprise for you all was going to be great footage of the wonderful songs the team here in Auckland had rehearsed for the ship and the equally fabulous musical response the crew had been practicing for days... But the tape needs "a little work" on it before it is presentable and frankly might never see the light of day.

So to compensate here's what you would have seen, but in a way that even I can manage - written down!

Continue reading...  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)

9 January 2007

Videoblog: Return to the Southern Ocean

What will it take to finally end whaling? As the Esperanza and her crew prepare to return to the Southern Ocean we investigate the background of Antarctic whaling - and the many strands of work required to end it - whether in political fora, corporate boardrooms, within Japan, or with ideas from people like you.

Check out the latest installment of Ocean Defenders TV.

Permalink  |  Comments (4)

Powhiri Update

By Adele, in the Stockholm office with a little help from John Bowler

Sadly I haven't yet received any incriminating footage from Sara which may reveal how good (or bad) the singing by the Esperanza crew was, but John Bowler has sent us a photo. He says:

"The Esperanza arrived today, Tuesday 9 January, at 1215 local time at Princes Wharf in Auckland, New Zealand (in the pouring rain I may add).

As soon as the Esperanza was tied up Greenpeace New Zealand performed a traditional Maori welcome. It was a very rousing and beautiful ceremony and the crew of the Esperanza responded with a song of their own.

We all (crew and welcoming committee of 40 as well as the media) went on board
the Esperanza for a wonderful lunch.

Everyone on board seems in good health and great spirit. "

If you're in Auckland, see below for the dates and times of Open Days when you can visit the ship!

Continue reading...  |  Permalink  |  Comments (2)

8 January 2007

New Zealand within sights

By Helena, onboard the Esperanza

I am still struggling to believe that tomorrow, after a month at sea, we will be on land. This week has passed by super quick, well… we lost Friday by crossing the international date line – went to bed Thursday and woke up Saturday, no complaints there. Today we were followed by an albatross, another sign we are close, and what a spectacular seabird that is. Seafarers once believed the albatross a bird of good omen, and to harm one was to bring bad luck. These days they are threatened with extinction due to longline fishing. Seeing the albatross reinforces the importance of protecting our oceans and life it sustains.

Continue reading...  |  Permalink

Kia Ora from New Zealand!

By Sara, waiting patiently in the New Zealand office

Having travelled half way round the world and gone from the Northern winter to the Southern summer in just two days I am now happily sitting in Auckland, waiting for the Esperanza to sail into port tomorrow morning.

The office here is planning a big welcome - but I will keep the surprise a secret for now! I can tell you it was fun to watch the last minute practicing though. Stand by and I will send pictures tomorrow (if I can figure out how to work the video camera!).

Continue reading...  |  Permalink  |  Comments (3)

7 January 2007

Gavin Newman looks back on 2006

By Gavin Newman

Before we embark fully on 2007, the lovely Gavin Newman, camera, video and gadget man extraodinaire has gathered some of his favourite images from his time onboard the Espy in 2006 and recorded an audio track to accompany them. So our fourth photographers photo story is born - this one looks back on 2006 and forward to the Southern Ocean. Check it out on oceans.greenpeace.org.

Permalink  |  Comments (2)

6 January 2007

Behind the scenes 3: Adele Major

By Adele, at the Greenpeace office in Stockholm

So, I'm the third victim of our "Behind the Scenes" series. You've probably seen my name at the top of many a Greenpeace blog, dotted amongst the comments, or heard it muttered angrily under the breath of onboard web editors (if you happen to be a crew member). But what exactly have I been doing for the last "year" which, in true Greenpeace style, is apparently now sixteen months long?

Continue reading...  |  Permalink  |  Comments (3)

5 January 2007

New Zealand: Ready and Waiting

By Carol, in the New Zealand office (holding the fort for web guru Nick)

When the Rainbow Warrior was bombed by the French in 1985, it tore a hole in our hearts, but it did not diminish our passion or stop us returning to the sea.

I wonder if there has ever been a time when there wasn’t a Kiwi aboard at least one of the Greenpeace ships, young and spirited, craving adventure, and with a fire in their belly to protect our environment and defend our oceans.

I’m looking forward to the Esperanza’s arrival. I’m also looking forward to seeing an old friend, Karli Thomas, who’s now leading the campaign team aboard the ship. We worked together a few years ago and now she is sailing home, for a brief stop, before taking on the Southern Ocean to stop whaling.

We already have so many heroes, the world does not need more villains. We love Japan, but whaling breaks our hearts.

Haere mai Esperanza – we’re ready.

Read Carol's full story on oceans.greenpeace.org where she reflects on the shared history of Greenpeace, New Zealand, and the oceans.

Permalink

3 January 2007

Letter to a whaling captain

By Helena, on board the Esperanza

One of our youngest supporters, Martina, has a good idea and a great New Year's Resolution for Captain Toyama of the Nisshin Maru - the leader of the Japanese whaling fleet.

She suggests .... "why don't you go back home take out all the harpoons and come back to the sanctuary full of tourists for whale watching"

Watch Martina's video on YouTube

Inspired? Share your ideas at whales.greenpeace.org

Not yet signed up as an Ocean Defender? well go on then

Read about our encounters with the Nisshin Maru last year -->

Permalink  |  Comments (3)

1 January 2007

2006: The Year in Pictures

By Helena on the Esperanza, and Adele struggling after too much champagne in Stockholm

As another year passes by, and I try to catch up with it, Helena has been chatting with the crew about their involvement in Defending Our Oceans. For many this is the second or even third leg of the trip. There are a number of crew who are heading back down to the Southern Ocean, but some will be disembarking in New Zealand.

2006 was an amazing year. Having sailed across oceans and working on a number of campaigns; whaling, pirate fishing, tuna ranching, pollution, oil spills, marine debris and destructive coastal development. Here are some stunning pictures to reflect on the year behind us…and inspire some resolutions for the year ahead.

Continue reading...  |  Permalink  |  Comments (10)

All updates from the Southern Ocean whaling 2007 leg »
All updates from the Pacific transit »
All updates from the Mexico leg »
All updates from the Hawaii leg »
All updates from the Pacific leg »
All updates from the Philippines leg »
All updates from the India leg »
All updates from the Red Sea leg »
All updates from the Mediterranean leg »
All updates from the Azores leg »
All updates from the Pirate Fishing/Africa leg »
All updates from the Southern Ocean »

Avast ye land lubbers! The ocean critters need your help!
Take action today!