9 February 2007
The Esperanza in the Ice
Posted by Maaike, on the Esperanza
© Greenpeace/Beltra
Yesterday, my afternoon watch (I'm on watch from 1200 till 1600 hours and then again from 0000 till 0400 hr) was an interesting one. When I got on the bridge, we were surrounded by ice. Not icebergs, but small bits of ice that you can sail through at slow speed. In circumstances like these you go to hand steering, because the autopilot won't react quick enough.
Hand steering is nice, because you feel much better what the Esperanza does and how it reacts (or not, at slow speed). Also, you change speed all time to adjust to the amount of ice, since some areas the ice is more packed then other areas. Some of the bigger bits that you should avoid, you can't avoid in time. That makes noise and it makes the ship shiver, but it doesn't do any damage (as long as your speed isn't too much of course). The captain, Frank, was also on the bridge while sailing through the ice, so I could learn about the conditions. This wasn't extreme yet, but already you can anticipate and try to find a path to sail through. No pressure though, because there was no chance of getting stuck here. Even if the wind increased very rapidly, we would have been able to be get out of the ice soon enough. It was a very nice experience.
And, very exciting: three penguins on an ice flow! Funny creatures I find them. Flapping their wings, making noise and sliding on their bellies when this big blue thing disturbed their afternoon quietness. But who was even more disturbed was a leopard seal, sleeping on his own bit of ice. He didn't look happy at all when we passed him, but he was beautiful! And for the first time a white petrel caught my eye. An amazing bird. You find petrel all over the world, I have discovered. They are small and less obvious than, for example, albatrosses or gannets. But once you notice them, you can't miss them anymore. I think it's because of the fact that they're always around, even when it's stormy and most seabirds don't fly anymore, they're still around and flying!
- Maaike
Comments
Hey guys,
What's going on with the webcam...would be awesome to see some of this stuff...but the cam seems to be frozen on a pic from a few days ago?
Posted by: Benn at February 9, 2007 9:47 PM
Hi Benn - we're having some techie difficulties with webcam - should be back online soon.
Posted by: Dave on the Esperanza at February 9, 2007 10:51 PM
Hi,
I would like to know exactly what you guys will be doing for the whales once you reach the Sanctuary. Will you try to prevent the Japanese crew from actually killing any of them or will you only be expectators and film the slaughter
Will you try to scared the whales away from harm's way?
Posted by: Adriana Faria at February 10, 2007 4:59 AM
Adriana - we can't tell you exactly - that would spoil the surprise. But of course we will be blocking the harpoons.
Posted by: Dave on the Esperanza at February 10, 2007 5:41 AM
are you still in contact with and coordinating your position with sea shepherd? at this point they are running out of fuel and it would be a good time for the three ships to have a strategy to surround the nisshin maru. in fact, it would make a great media blitz.
Posted by: Bob Smith at February 10, 2007 6:15 AM
Hi Bob. Alas, we don't work with Sea Shepherd - Greenpeace has a long history and principle of non-violent, direct action, and we would like to keep it that way. Thanks...
Posted by: Dave on the Esperanza at February 10, 2007 8:10 AM
I think it's a shame that you won't stay in contact with Sea Shepherd while you are busy to get to them. You both want to save the whales, that's wahat counts now!
Please put your principals overboard and go for it!Don't let the whales be the victim of your different ideas, help them together!
With regards,
Ellen from Holland.
Posted by: ellen at February 10, 2007 4:14 PM
Hi Ellen - you're suggesting that we dump our principles of non-violent action overboard? I don't think that's a good idea - not sure we could use the name Greenpeace anymore then!
Perhaps I should point you to this information about Greenpeace, as it explains more about the background and philosophy of the organisation.
Posted by: Dave on the Esperanza at February 11, 2007 3:40 AM
Hi Dave,
Thanks for answering! It's a strange idea you are in the cold Antarctic, and I am sitting here in my warm house behind my laptop in Holland...
I didn't mean you have to put your principes overboard, what I meant is that you can work together, both on your own way, to prevent the Japanese harpooning whales. You both have the same reason to be out there. You don't have to be violent, just be yourself. That doesn't mean you must not have contact with Sea Shepherd.
I think with this attitude (from both sides) the whales become the victims. So please, please, be yourself and stay yourself, but let the whales have the priority instead of the disagreements.
Hope you'll understand my Dutch English,
with regards,
Ellen from Holland.
Dave on the Esperanza: Understood. Believe me, on this boat, the whales have priority, and no one is too interested in the sideshow...
Posted by: ellen at February 11, 2007 8:08 PM
Pity not to be there to learn with you.
Greetings from...
Starfish.
Posted by: An old watchkeeper of yours at February 12, 2007 5:53 PM
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