From: Greenpeace Vessel SV Rainbow Warrior -( http://www.greenpeace.org )
Date: Sunday 27th August 1995
Subject: Diary update


Rendezvous at Moruroa, and the shape of things to come. Mid- morning some twenty miles off the atoll, and the Vega, Bifrost and Rainbow Warrior are tied up together, hove to. The New Zealand naval vessel Tui also steams close by, but under orders from the New Zealand government no to communicate with Greenpeace, she soon sails away. The Bifrost, a 45 foot replica of a Viking longboat, has been in the area now for some 45 days, standing sentinel while the Vega and Rainbow Warrior withdrew to organise our next moves. The three crew on board - two Danes and an Ozzie -- are very glad of fresh fruit and veg, a hot shower and a glass of beer! Vega has been back on station at Moruroa for a week or so, after a break in Papeete. Of course our usual minders are also present, two French warships, although they decline to join in the general bon hominie.

S.V. Rainbow Warrior departs Tahiti.67KB GIF or 22KB JPG. ©Greenpeace/Morgan

The morning is spent transferring food, fuel and water supplies on the calmest seas: nature smiles on us yet again. After a laid- back afternoon (it is Sunday!) where everyone sat around on the Rainbow Warrior and caught up with each other; a barbeque on the bridge deck rounds the day off nicely. WIth the three boats tied together in a long line, the sailors can relax for a while as drift. But the party ends early: with the weather closing in and the warships continually steaming back and forth close by, it is not easy to forget why we are here. The MV Greenpeace is only hours aaway and more boats will araive over the next few days. The heat is on Mon. Chirac. Why not be a real statesman, a true democrat and listen to the people? Stop the tests NOW.

S.V. Rainbow Warrior departs Tahiti.92KB GIF or 32KB JPG. ©Greenpeace/Morgan

ALICE (Richard Leney):


From: From Stephanie Mills aboard Greenpeace Vessel SV Rainbow Warrior
Date: Sunday 27th August 1995
Subject: Campaign update


The Rainbow Warrior made a rendezvous with the Viking ship Bifrost at 8am local time and the Vega at 9am. With two French warships, the frigate Prairial and the fast attack patrol vessel Tapaguese circling them all day, the three yachts tied up to each other and spent the day re-supplying the two small yachts. This evening, the three crews held a barbeque on board, closely monitored by the two warships.

S.V. Rainbow Warrior departs Tahiti.81KB GIF or 26KB JPG. ©Greenpeace/Morgan

Over the past week, sightings of flares and objects consistent with a submarine have been noticed by mates on watch. Today, a French journalist asked the captain of the Prairial whether a submarine was operating in the area. He replied: "That is not a good question, I refuse to answer that question."

Meanwhile, the MV Greenpeace is approaching the three vessels from the north east, and will rendezvous at dawn tomorrow. The Greenpeace has been buzzed by a French military helicopter and is being shadowed by two additional warships.

S.V. Rainbow Warrior departs Tahiti.67KB GIF or 24KB JPG. ©Greenpeace/Morgan

The New Zealand naval vessel Tui is also in the vicinity. The Rainbow Warrior made radio contact with it this morning, but the the New Zealand government is still refusing to let journalists on board the Tui contact Greenpeace. Another New Zealand peace flotilla vessel Triptych is expected to arrive off the atoll in the next 2 days.