MV Esperanza at the Earth Summit 2002

Today we continued waiting for word on whether our six crew members, arrested at Koeberg on Saturday, will be allowed back to the ship. It is very quiet without them.

Around midday we heard that they are to appear in court again on Friday and will not be allowed back aboard the Esperanza. This is sad news. It is sad for us not to be able to say good-bye, and it is sad for them not to finish their journey on the Esperanza. But it is also a sad day for freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest.

Nevertheless, I'm sure there are no regrets. They will be back aboard Greenpeace ships somewhere in the world fighting the good fight before too long. And the action was successful. Our message that nuclear power is dangerous and unsustainable; that renewable energy is the way of the future, was broadcast loud and clear in South Africa to the earth Summit delegates, and all over the world. More importantly, perhaps the seeds of resistance have been sown in Cape Town and the people of South Africa will refuse to accept the proposed 'Pebble Bed' nuclear reactors in their land. We hope so.

So go well my friends, and kia kaha! It was a valiant effort you made to get back to the Esperanza dragging the crippled Grey Whale. It was agonizing for us to watch you get so close only to get taken away again. You handled yourselves well and we are all very proud of you.

But I'm being melodramatic so now back to business.

We are six crew members short so a new watch schedule has been drawn up. I'm doing the 0400 - 0800 watch on the bridge. We are trying to find some new volunteers in Cape Town to fill the gap because we hope to leave Cape Town soon.

Our navy escort left us this morning to be replaced by a police boat and then by an small anonymous looking grey boat with large outboard engines, presumably navy again. They must think we are going to do something interesting.