Jetske - Boat Driver
© Greenpeace/Jiri Rezac
Netherlands
Greenpeace has taken me to many beautiful places in the past 9,5 years, from ancient forests in Finland, to the Dogger Bank in the North Sea and now for the third 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 take 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, the two expeditions in the Southern Ocean have been the most special. The expedition in 2005-2006 was a trip of extremes. I saw nature at its best and human impact at its worst. The expedition a year later surprised us all with it the number of distress calls and the fire onboard the Nisshin Maru. Even though this meant no actions at sea, the campaign work on land in Japan moved our campaign further than we could have hoped. 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’.
Comments
Good sailing and all the best!
I hope you will be able to stop the hunting this time without any fires or breakdowns.
Ulf
Posted by: Ulf Birgander | December 19, 2007 10:28 PM
Hope the weather holds and that all of us will be able to stop the japanese govt from killing whales. I will not buy anything made in Japan because of what I have learned about them!
Posted by: Katherine | January 2, 2008 10:44 PM
Hi there Jetske girl, ...and I must say, there is very much to be admired in you. You have great Love and great courage in what you do and believe in.
But I'm writing in to you here for a reason in addition to what I've mentioned. It is likely you will encounter the Japanese fleet any day now, ...and I'm a worrying type, and I think my concerns are justifiable. I would not try to change your mind. I support and encourage what you do with all my heart. I'm just trying to help if I can have anything to offer in my 67 years of some pretty wild rides of my own. Most of all I want to re-enforce the importance of practice, and to spend every hour you can doing this. And when you're out there, ...really push it to the limit, ...while you're being watched and can be easily rescued. I don't want to be long, but years ago I had a 17 foot tri-hull, and in the morning when I went out where there was a ten foot sea, ...it was a little scary. By the time the afternoon wore on, I found myself catching air doing 40 knots between the rollers. I think you know you need that tone and confidence when you're out there in a real and potentially dangerous situation. All I'm asking is that you and the other boat drivers to please try to get really sharp, and put in the time to stay connected with your equipment with the time you have remaining.
...and just one other thing, ...and maybe I've been watching a little too much Kung Fu of a video set my daughter gave me, but you know, you could really catch an arrow or spear if you could hold your focus well enough. A harpoon is much slower and more visible, and the person that is not driving, really must be watching, focusing, and it should be foremost on their mind, to be ready to react instantly to the path of the spear.
The only other advice I can offer you, is what you already do, ...and that is to always follow your heart. Thank you so much Jetske, ...good luck, and God keep you all from harm, ...GC
Posted by: Grateful Child | January 7, 2008 10:21 PM
Hi Jetske
now you are within reach of the whalers its time to do what you do best... save the whales...you guys are so awe inspiring in what you do...you do the world proud... but please please be careful and be safe.. we will need you there again next year(unless we can stop the Japanese through worldwide protest)
Be safe always
best wishes
Steve
Posted by: Steve | January 13, 2008 12:09 PM
What you did today shows your true spirit Jetske you should be extremely proud of yourself... i know the getting caught on the cable thing wasnt part of the plan.. but either way you DID put your own personal safety on the line for what you believe in.
That was an awesome gesture
thankyou...and Mr Splashy pants says BIG thumbs up girl :)
Posted by: Steve | January 22, 2008 9:16 AM
Or should that be big FINS up??:)
Posted by: Steve | January 22, 2008 9:18 AM
Hi Jetske,
Just wanted to say that you guys did a fantastic job out there. Although it may not have been the result you were aiming for, the mission had a great outcome nonetheless. I admire your bravery, so keep up the good work. I'd love to work with you guys one day!
All the best
Nick
Posted by: Nick | January 26, 2008 8:26 PM