A cordial meeting with the harbormaster

We just had a very cordial meeting with the harbormaster of Veracruz, the top authority at the port we are blocking 40 000 tons of genetically engineered maize from entering.

The harbormaster came out to visit the Arctic Sunrise, about 6 miles offshore from Veracruz, to speak with the captain of the ship, Daniel. The harbourmaster had visited the ship last week, when the Arctic Sunrise invited the people of Vera Cruz aboard to see what Greenpeace is about. When the harbourmaster came aboard, Daniel and he were already old friends.

They held a cordial meeting in the mess room of the ship. Daniel explained that this was a peaceful action, intended to uphold the Biosafety protocol by preventing genetically engineered maize from entering Mexico. The harbormaster pointed out that the activists were still breaking some of the laws of Mexico. Daniel replied that he had a moral obligation to uphold the Biosafety protocol, and to protect the Mexican environment from genetic contamination.

That was that. The harbormaster prepared to leave the ship. As he was leaving, a Mexican journalist asked him if the Ikana Altamira would be allowed to enter the port to unload its cargo.

"Not if the Arctic Sunrise won't let them" he replied.

The crew on board the ship was a little unnerved by a police helicopter buzzing overhead, until they realized it was full of journalists getting better camera angles on the action.

Listen to audio updates from activists on the ship here