Esperanza in Sydney! | Home | Audio slideshow - Daniel Beltra's photographs from the Southern Ocean 2007

Esperanza to Tokyo? Wow, that is going to be one interesting voyage. Somehow I doubt ICR or JFA officials and spokesmen will take you up on your ship-tour offer, so don't waste too much effort on setting out doughnuts and tea for, say, Glen Inwood. But if he does show up, I would not put it past him to bring you all his own batch of "minke whale bacon" to sample.

The JFA plays such hardball, I expect any Nisshin Maru crewmen that developed a working relationship with Esperanza in the South Seas will be replaced or terminated. (Hope they prove me wrong).

Once docked in Tokyo, I hope you announce your arrival and a public welcoming to come tour the ship with a big helium-filled humpback whale hovering high above the ship. Would be nice to see that.

If there is a change of crew before the ship departs for Japan, is there a vacancy for an ordinary seaman on board? I have given my details to Greenpeace previously and would be available with 4 hours notice.

Graham DeGabriel

P.S. Most disappointed that the open day has been cancelled as I was coming to Sydney from Bathurst to see the ship and hopefully meet and speak with members of the crew.

best a luck in Tokyo guys. Job well done to those disembarking

I am so envious! Aside from feeling very homesick looking at the photos, I am a HUGE fan of Pete Garrett and the Oils! Off to find my Red Sails album...

Have a great time in Sydney Dave. Best wishes for calm seas and sunshine to the rest of you as you head up to Japan.

Love peace and starfish,

Cat

Hi Dave, and all..., ...and am I jealous of you and Karli or what? Remember Peter Garrett? Peter Garrett and Midnight Oil have never left my heart, ...or my website. At the moment I have 'The Dead Heart' running on a dedicated page as part the third series of videos by Midnight Oil - http://www.gratefulchild.org/projects/gcweb/gc/html/MO/. Peter, ...NYC misses you, their favorite son terribly my friend. I couldn't be pleased more though to see your direct involvement in this. We Love you Peter...
And I'm going to miss you too Dave. This of course isn't a competition of webbies, ...but you are a cut above, ...and second to none. Thanks so much Dave. Have a great rest, ...and then we desperately need you back. Thanks so much to you all. May the sadness you feel today in parting turn into the bonds of lasting friendship, and the determination to make this world right. For the tribute I did, ...it will stay there on my site for much time. And when it is finally replaced by another crew, ...I'll be sure to archive this one on the page, ...so anytime you're feeling blue, you can always come back to this place you once were. Onward to Tokyo holding Love in your hand, ...and I hope you don't mind if I tag along. All my Love to this most wonderful and inspiring crew. Love is forever, ...if you choose it to be. ...GC

Hi again...,
...and sorry for the double post here, but this is something you all need to see, and know about. After the oil spill in Prince William sound in 1990, Peter and crew, and along with Peter Bahouth, ...the then Executive Director of Greenpeace, set up ad hoc in front of the Exxon building in NYC and gave one of the most stunning performances I have ever seen in my life. Especially stirring was the message by Peter Bahouth. It still gives me chills to this day. There was a video made of it all, and the profits have all been donated directly to Greenpeace. I urge all of you that Love Greenpeace, ...not to miss this film - Black Rain Falls.

Hi Dave and Crew of the Espy.
Great work and good luck in Japan!

- Slade (onboard the Arctic Sunrise - London)

Well done all, glad you are all back safe through the ice and storms. God speed to where ever you go next.

Way to go CREW! Such heros you are; hard working, determined and strong!

I'm glad in the end, the Nisshin Maru crewmen accepted our help to bring them back to port. Hope they don't get termintaed for it.

Rest well before you hit the water again! The Canadian offcie is just so proud of the work you'v done.
Good luck in saving many whales in the months ahead!

Queenly
Greenpeace Vancouver

Hi dave,
Good luck in Japan

When I read and saw your coments on the web about the whale, I was very moved and just had to write this article and send you my very best wishes to all of you, and give my support and defence of all creatures in our oceans you are doing a wonderful job please keep it going.

Save the Dolphin (THE TWENTY THOUSNAD THAT ARE KILLED IN JAPAN EACH YEAR)

What these people do not understand is that the dolphin is a creature that has a family, just like humans. They are not killing the dolphins they are committing murder in the most horrid possible way and getting away with it. The people that support this are not only the ones who take the dolphins to these centres. But the people that pay to go and see them are just as guilty. Lazy probable fat mums, dads and kids that would learn more about these poor animals from a book than they would ever see in a Marine show. I mean the dolphin has proved time and time again how intelligent a creature it is and we as the human race should learn to work along side them not exploit them for our own greed. And as for the Japanese doing that you only have to look at the way they still murder the whale, (and they make out to the world that they are an honourable society and honour is everything!). I think not. We must implement change in some form or other to stamp out this barbaric practice. We must appeal to the United Nations, not the silly little useless talk shop in Brussels, where plenty gets talked about but nothing gets really done, unless it’s someone going out for a meal which usually lasts for the whole day. It is time for the people to speak and speak loudly and be heard and not from a politician but from a common man in the street who understands the true values in life it’s self and what all god’s creatures are worth.

Yours Sincerely
Paul Karl Radtke

I do feel very strongly about this and if it was up to me, I would make sure they understood the message as I would not fear anyone talking about this and defending the rights of innocent creatures. Bring them on!