The Arctic Sunrise reaches London
After sailing around a substantial chunk of the UK's coastline - via Leith and then Greenock - we've finally reached London. I've entered the city by train, car, bus and bicycle before but I have to say, sailing into London beats them all. We slipped through the Thames Barrier and up past the Millennium Dome, Canary Wharf and the Docklands to our mooring spot by Tower Bridge, where we settled in and watched the lights come on over the London skyline. We're just 100-odd metres from the bridge so give us a wave if you go past (or better still, come and have a free tour of the ship this weekend)!
Just up the river is Westminster, where, on the 14th of March, the decision will be taken on whether to replace Trident. It's a once-in-a-generation decision - and there's £76 billion and a potential new nuclear arms race at stake. We’re here to drive the message home to Westminster that Trident's illegal, immoral, unwanted - and a monstrous distraction from the real threat: climate change.
This afternoon, London Mayor Ken Livingstone will be joining other well-known folk onboard the ship, adding his voice to the growing opposition to the rush to replace Trident. Annie Lennox, Bianca Jagger, Tony Robinson, Anita and Gordon Roddick and Major-General Sir Patrick Cordingly will all be having their say on board - please don't forget to have yours.
At the weekend, we're having two open boat days, which means you can get a tour around a working Greenpeace ship. Come along to Thames Quay, Marsh Wall on the Isle of Dogs (E14) between 11am and 4pm on Saturday 10th or Sunday 11th March. The nearest station is South Quays DLR and the D8 bus goes straight there. Oh, and it's free!
Comments
Hooray for your boat.
Keep up the good work.
Hello to Nicola from all at MV!
Posted by: Dan | March 6, 2007 11:31 AM
Well done at FASLANE - WHY the news blackout?
Can't make London this weekend,child minding.
BUT I can report your progress to The Bristol GREENPEACE meeting tomorrow. We have been actively petitioning against renewal of TRIDENT, and both Doug Naysmith Labour MP Bristol North-West, and Stephen Williams Lib-Dem MP Bristol West are categorically against renewal of TRIDENT and will vote accordingly when it goes to the HoC.
Best wishes,
Wilf MOUND
Chair -The Bristol GREENPEACE Group.
Posted by: Wilf MOUND | March 6, 2007 12:23 PM
Lovely picture! It seems that the Sunrise is always ending up next to very pretty bridges.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/135/377344324_452d7bc80c_o.jpg
- The Sunrise next to the bridge in Rotterdam.
Posted by: Lisa | March 6, 2007 2:35 PM
Dan: thanks! Nicola's hard at work in the galley now but I've passed on your message.
Wilf: Thanks for all your work on Trident (and for keeping the Bristol group informed). Hope you get a chance to catch the webcast tonight.
And Lisa - here, have another pic of the Sunrise and a bridge :-)
Posted by: rebecca | March 8, 2007 1:03 PM
To the crew of the Arctic Sunrise: Do you have anything on board that could be deployed on your voyages that could potentially save drowning polar bears? I am referring to those that find themselves in open water, exhausted from harrowing swims, needing respite...I have generated genuine discussion with an engineers collective and am anxious for feedback from you. It's a very simple, affordable solution. A 'berg-like' flotilla that could be deployed from your ship in the path of the flailing bear(s) and towed to higher ground. I don't propose to solve the complexities of global warming, but I cannot stand by while these magnificent mammels are meeting watery graves. I'm not suggesting to seek 'swimming bears' out, but if you had this 'rescue-berg' on board and did come across a distressed polar bear you could attempt such a rescue. Very seriously and sincerely, susan/Ontario/Canada
Posted by: Susan R. Krupp | April 16, 2007 8:49 PM