The Ship: SV Rainbow Warrior.

The Crew: Who we are and Why we're here.

Updates from the SV Rainbow Warrior

The last mile

The Pacific Pintail, the armed merchant ship returning a load of rejected plutonium MOX from Japan to the UK, has been protested globally. Now as it approaches its homeport, it is up to the Nuclear Free Irish Sea flotilla to make sure it doesn't slink in unnoticed.
more

Day of

Today is the day for the Rainbow Warrior and the at sea contingent of the Nuclear Free Irish Sea flotilla. Tomorrow, barring terrorist attack or catastrophic accident, the shipment of rejected plutonium MOX will arrive at port. Before that, first the at sea flotilla then the contingent waiting at port will each try to peacefully protest the shipment.
Hour by hour
The day
Images and audio.

Nuclear waste transport found

This afternoon, our spotter plane found the transport afternoon off the coast of France. We quickly shared the news with the flotilla, and the decision was made to head a bit farther south. Hopefully, our peaceful flotilla will intercept them during the daylight hours, but mostly the skippers just want there to be a voice of outrage on the sea.

Nothing else to report for now, except that the weather is still looking good - for which we are thankful.
Jim Corr - images and audio.

Flotilla boats moving into position

We've left Holyhead and are moving towards an intercept position, but will the nuclear waste shipment go east or west or Ireland? The flotilla makes a guess.
more

Flotilla massing

Boats continue to arrive in Holyhead, and so far everyone has had a safe transit. We had a couple dozen of the flotilla members over for breakfast this morning, which had the galley going crazy.

Much of the rest of the day was taken up with logistical meetings. The flotilla is made up of a bunch of people from fairly diverse backgrounds, and a lot of them have never met before. Plus, the boats are as diverse as the people (and we're up to 23 now). They're all fairly small as ocean going boats go, but range widely in size and speed - so it will take some careful planning if we're going to function as a team.

Meet the skippers - photos and sound bites from six of the skippers.

Map showing two possible routes the rejected plutonium MOX might take when it nears Ireland. (media handout)

Goodbye Dublin and thanks for your support

It has been a productive and all-around excellent stay in Ireland. But you know how it is...We've got places to go, people to see and hell to raise over a plutonium MOX transport.
more

A wrap of the past few days

It's been a busy week so far for crew and campaign staff. It started with a visit from Irelands Minister of the Environment, plus a school group visit, preparations to head out to sea and the continuing fallout from British Energy's declaration of bankruptcy.
more

Visitors, and lots of them

Had another excellent open boat yesterday. Also, got a taste of proper Dublin weather - mostly pleasant interspersed with horizontal downpours. As Ruth (deckhand form Mexico) put it, "Here the rain comes from east to west and west to east, not up to down." The rain didn't keep the people away, though, and we had another very good turn out.

Three boats from the flotilla - the Noble Warrior, the Christine and the Way of Life - also tied up alongside to let the public get a look at them. Later we had skippers and crew from the flotilla over for a barbeque.

Today the Rainbow Warrior is a quiet ship. This is our first real day off in three weeks - so the crew is sleeping or out exploring the countryside.

Dublin open boat slideshow.

Also, check out the two new crew profiles.

Another visitor to the Warrior and a late in the day victory

Today's visit from the head of Ireland's opposition government demonstrates mounting political support for Irish action against Sellafield and the plutonium MOX transport.

Then, in the afternoon hours, the Prime Minister publicly announced that Irish naval vessels WILL be present to track the shipment, and demonstrate Ireland's opposition to Britain's nuclear industry. It's an important move - one that we had been pushing and which will add on to the weight of the flotilla's protest.
more

City of Dublin declares official support for the flotilla

A big honour today for the flotilla - its members where invited to a reception where the Lord Mayor of Dublin pledged the support of the city. Haussy, who's more comfortable in the engine room then official functions, has the full story on the reception. Dublin is also a nuclear free city, by the way.
more

Photos and audio from the launch

What does a musician, two politicians, an activist, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, a researcher, a skipper and a priest all have in common? They all want to see the Sellafield nuclear plant shut down, and got a chance to say as much at the launch of the Nuclear Free Irish Sea Flotilla yesterday.

see their pictures, hear their words

A first look at the flotilla

The Warrior and crew participated a parade-of-sail and press conference with the rest of the flotilla today. For most of us, this was our first chance to see the other boats. The press conference went without a hitch, and the flotilla (accompanied by supporters) paraded out to sea. After going out and cruising around for a bit, we returned to Dublin.

If you have a sea going boat, and want to be part of the Nuclear Free Irish Sea Flotilla, it is not too late. Contact Paul Barrett, skipper of the yacht Tuscair. His email address is tuscair@eircom.net. It would be good to see you out there.

more

Successful press conference and a surprise guest

Lots of media at today's press conference, and a few unexpected guests later in the day.

more

A reluctant goodbye to Carlingfor Lough

Transitied to Doublin today. It was nice out so we took the opportunity to do a deck wash. Got to get the ship looking sharp for the press conference tomorrow. The crew had a great time in Carlingford. We really appreciate the friendly words and hospitality we found there. Another treat was a visit from Henk, who works for the Pacific Nuclear Free Flotilla. He spent the night on the Warrior, but went ashore to meet some of the locals. Henk was so impressed with the welcome he recieved that he wrote about it in today's update.

Henk's update

Open Boat - Carlingford Lough

Great weather and smooth water for our open boat at anchor.

more

Rainbow Warrior joins the fight

The BNFL ships, returning defective nuclear fuel from Japan to the UK, have been hounded across the globe - by the MV Arctic Sunrise and local protesters as they left Japan, by a Nuclear Free Seas Flotilla off the coast of Australia, by the MV Esperanza off South Africa and by individuals and governments around the planet. Now the Rainbow Warrior and its crew are ready to enter the fray.

After some work here in Ireland - where opposition to the shipment is fierce - we'll be joining a flotilla of boats to oppose the shipment as it nears home.

Updates from the Rainbow Warrior


	The Ship: SV Rainbow Warrior. The Crew: Who we are and Why we're here. Updates from the SV Rainbow Warrior The last mile The Pacific Pintail, the armed merchant ship returning a load of rejected plutonium MOX from Japan to the UK, has been protested globally. Now as it approaches its homeport, it is up to the Nuclear Free Irish Sea flotilla to make sure it doesn't slink in unnoticed. more Day of Today is the day for the Rainbow Warrior and the at sea contingent of the Nuclear Free Irish Sea flotilla. Tomorrow, barring terrorist attack or catastrophic accident, the shipment of rejected plutonium MOX will arrive at port. Before that, first the at sea flotilla then the contingent waiting at port will each try to peacefully protest the shipment. Hour by hour The day Images and audio. Nuclear waste transport found This afternoon, our spotter plane found the transport afternoon off the coast of France. We quickly shared the news with the flotilla, and the decision was made to head a bit farther south. Hopefully, our peaceful flotilla will intercept them during the daylight hours, but mostly the skippers just want there to be a voice of outrage on the sea. Nothing else to report for now, except that the weather is still looking good - for which we are thankful. Jim Corr - images and audio. Flotilla boats moving into position We've left Holyhead and are moving towards an intercept position, but will the nuclear waste shipment go east or west or Ireland? The flotilla makes a guess. more Flotilla massing Boats continue to arrive in Holyhead, and so far everyone has had a safe transit. We had a couple dozen of the flotilla members over for breakfast this morning, which had the galley going crazy. Much of the rest of the day was taken up with logistical meetings. The flotilla is made up of a bunch of people from fairly diverse backgrounds, and a lot of them have never met before. Plus, the boats are as diverse as the people (and we're up to 23 now). They're all fairly small as ocean going boats go, but range widely in size and speed - so it will take some careful planning if we're going to function as a team. Meet the skippers - photos and sound bites from six of the skippers. Map showing two possible routes the rejected plutonium MOX might take when it nears Ireland. (media handout) Goodbye Dublin and thanks for your support It has been a productive and all-around excellent stay in Ireland. But you know how it is...We've got places to go, people to see and hell to raise over a plutonium MOX transport. more A wrap of the past few days It's been a busy week so far for crew and campaign staff. It started with a visit from Irelands Minister of the Environment, plus a school group visit, preparations to head out to sea and the continuing fallout from British Energy's declaration of bankruptcy. more Visitors, and lots of them Had another excellent open boat yesterday. Also, got a taste of proper Dublin weather - mostly pleasant interspersed with horizontal downpours. As Ruth (deckhand form Mexico) put it, "Here the rain comes from east to west and west to east, not up to down." The rain didn't keep the people away, though, and we had another very good turn out. Three boats from the flotilla - the Noble Warrior, the Christine and the Way of Life - also tied up alongside to let the public get a look at them. Later we had skippers and crew from the flotilla over for a barbeque. Today the Rainbow Warrior is a quiet ship. This is our first real day off in three weeks - so the crew is sleeping or out exploring the countryside. Dublin open boat slideshow. Also, check out the two new crew profiles. Another visitor to the Warrior and a late in the day victory Today's visit from the head of Ireland's opposition government demonstrates mounting political support for Irish action against Sellafield and the plutonium MOX transport. Then, in the afternoon hours, the Prime Minister publicly announced that Irish naval vessels WILL be present to track the shipment, and demonstrate Ireland's opposition to Britain's nuclear industry. It's an important move - one that we had been pushing and which will add on to the weight of the flotilla's protest. more City of Dublin declares official support for the flotilla A big honour today for the flotilla - its members where invited to a reception where the Lord Mayor of Dublin pledged the support of the city. Haussy, who's more comfortable in the engine room then official functions, has the full story on the reception. Dublin is also a nuclear free city, by the way. more Photos and audio from the launch What does a musician, two politicians, an activist, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, a researcher, a skipper and a priest all have in common? They all want to see the Sellafield nuclear plant shut down, and got a chance to say as much at the launch of the Nuclear Free Irish Sea Flotilla yesterday. see their pictures, hear their words A first look at the flotilla The Warrior and crew participated a parade-of-sail and press conference with the rest of the flotilla today. For most of us, this was our first chance to see the other boats. The press conference went without a hitch, and the flotilla (accompanied by supporters) paraded out to sea. After going out and cruising around for a bit, we returned to Dublin. If you have a sea going boat, and want to be part of the Nuclear Free Irish Sea Flotilla, it is not too late. Contact Paul Barrett, skipper of the yacht Tuscair. His email address is tuscair@eircom.net. It would be good to see you out there. more Successful press conference and a surprise guest Lots of media at today's press conference, and a few unexpected guests later in the day. more A reluctant goodbye to Carlingfor Lough Transitied to Doublin today. It was nice out so we took the opportunity to do a deck wash. Got to get the ship looking sharp for the press conference tomorrow. The crew had a great time in Carlingford. We really appreciate the friendly words and hospitality we found there. Another treat was a visit from Henk, who works for the Pacific Nuclear Free Flotilla. He spent the night on the Warrior, but went ashore to meet some of the locals. Henk was so impressed with the welcome he recieved that he wrote about it in today's update. Henk's update Open Boat - Carlingford Lough Great weather and smooth water for our open boat at anchor. more Rainbow Warrior joins the fight The BNFL ships, returning defective nuclear fuel from Japan to the UK, have been hounded across the globe - by the MV Arctic Sunrise and local protesters as they left Japan, by a Nuclear Free Seas Flotilla off the coast of Australia, by the MV Esperanza off South Africa and by individuals and governments around the planet. Now the Rainbow Warrior and its crew are ready to enter the fray. After some work here in Ireland - where opposition to the shipment is fierce - we'll be joining a flotilla of boats to oppose the shipment as it nears home. Updates from the Rainbow Warrior Archive Back