Greenpeace Makes Way Toward Unalaska
Thursday, June 28 2012
(Maggie Wall/KMXT)
Greenpeace is heading north as part of its campaign against Arctic drilling.
The motor yacht Esperanza is in Kodiak until Friday, and is scheduled to stop in Unalaska next week. The vessel had previously been in Seward for repairs.
According to Greenpeace Campaign Director Dan Howells, the 237-foot rainbow painted boat will then travel on to the Chukchi Sea and study marine life in the region.
Greenpeace had initially timed the trip so that the Esperanza would shadow Shell’s drill ships as they did exploratory work in the Arctic. But because of persistent sea ice, Shell has had to change their drilling schedule. Howells says that the Esperanza will continue on to the Arctic without them.
“I think the sea ice is kind of funny in many ways,” says Howells. “It’s Mother Nature batting last. Where Shell had planned to have their vessels in place long before now and to start drilling sometime in the beginning of July, it seems like they’re probably two weeks – if not three weeks – behind.”
There are two-dozen people aboard the Esperanza right now, a mix of scientists and crew. They plan to take photographs of the Chukchi lease site using drones and record video footage with submarines, and then post that material online. Howells says Greenpeace views the research as a form of activism.
“I wouldn’t divide it out, actually,” says Howells. “A lot of the research that’s happened off the north coast of Alaska is either owned by Shell or it’s owned by the government. Greenpeace wants to get up there and do work with independent scientists so there is a balance to what Shell may or may not put out.”
As part of their Kodiak port call, the crew of the Esperanza received a safety briefing from the Coast Guard officials. According to Petty Officer Sara Francis, the Coast Guard will also have assets in Unalaska when the Esperanza makes its stop there.
The Coast Guard had planned to ramp up its security presence in Unalaska this month in the event of major demonstrations, but scaled back its operations after an injunction was issued that would prohibit Greenpeace activists from getting near Shell’s vessels. Campaign Director Dan Howells says the group currently does not have any large-scale protests planned for Alaska.
Shell had no comment on the Esperanza’s progress, but wishes Greenpeace a “safe journey,” says spokesperson Curtis Smith.
afterthoughts on Monday, August 13 2012:
I wish Shell would stay out of Alaska. Drill the heck out of Alaska and the best reason not to to it now or possible ever is because the price will not go down and availability of our fuel/oil.
Shirley on Monday, July 02 2012:
Thank God for organizations like Greenpeace! They are always on the forefront of awareness to the plight of our environment and the detrimental effects that big money interest and greed can do to our planet!!
TripleU on Sunday, July 01 2012:
Woa sukie - did you stop taking your medication!! Flying uses fuel just as diesel engines on ships. What is the result from "witnessing the conditions created by the work being done"? The big picture (the cause for drilling more oil) - in reality is - our planet is about 4 Billion people past the carrying capacity - people need to learn about birth control and use it - The oil fired powerplants, ships, planes, and cars that are depleting the ozone, causing climate change, and ruining our topsoils causing desertification etc..etc.. are because of TOO MANY people - yes - us - the human beings - genus species - homo sapiens.. so WAKE UP and use condoms and stop F*$CKing up our planet ....Pressures resulting from unrestrained population growth put demands on the natural world that can overwhelm any efforts to achieve a sustainable future. If we are to halt the destruction of our environment, we must accept limits to that growth.
sukie on Saturday, June 30 2012:
Hey Joe, seeing as they can't fu*$ing fly to the drilling sites it's hypocritical in your delusional eyes that Greenpeace goes on a mission to shadow drillers? What do they have to hide? Are we, as citizens not allowed to witness and judge for ourselves the conditions created by the work being done? I won't even comment on your mindless blather about " terrorist organizations ".
WAKE the F*$CK UP, JOE!!!
Joe Nungaray on Friday, June 29 2012:
Since Greenpeance is so against drilling they should stop using fuel. All fuel docks should be closed to this eco-terriost ograniztion.