Janine, center, teaches climbing techniques to rope neophytes on board

The unbearable lightness of being (warm while your colleagues are chained to a stern ramp)

By Meghan, web editor. 25 March. I am, in some ways, loathe to write this update. In order to understand, you must first be aware that today is Monday. Now you should know that on Friday, three days ago, the ship's doctor, Janine, made a phenomenal climb up the stern ramp of the container vessel Kwanza and has remained there ever since.

I am on the Rainbow Warrior, she is on the Kwanza. For the past three days, I have eaten a large bowl of oatmeal for breakfast (a little salt and some maple syrup), my usual gallon or so of tea, a big lunch consisting of hot pasta or soup or stir fried veggies and salad and fresh Marko-made bread, a snack around 3:00pm or so consisting of crackers or cookies, and a large dinner at 6:00, which has been so very delicious every night that a description can't do it justice. After dinner I have the luxury of sitting in front of the television or reading or having a beer on deck with my colleagues. And then I slip into my comfortable bunk with a warm blanket and dream of pleasant things like ice cream and my dog.

Since Friday evening, Janine has eaten almost nothing. I don't know how she is taking care of her bodily functions. She is laden with climbing gear - which ensures her safety, locked there in the hinge of the stern ramp - and has an insulated suit that has long since been soaked through with water from the pelting rain (and even snow). She has been largely without water, without dry clothing, without warm food, and without any of those comforts I have now on the Warrior. We are becoming concerned that she will show signs of exposure.

Perhaps now you understand why I have trouble providing you with any information of interest from the ship today. And now it's time for my cup of tea.

Meghan

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