What Crew Members Say About Amazon-Warrior

Dr. Russel Norman, along with two fellow Greenpeace activists, has been formally charged following a dramatic protest against the oil exploration vessel Amazon Warrior. The trio made headlines after they deliberately placed themselves in the water, compelling the ship to halt its seismic blasting operations. This protest has led to charges under the 2013 Amendment to the Crown Minerals Act, commonly known as the 'Anadarko Amendment', aimed at preventing maritime protests related to oil exploration activities. According to the law, it is illegal to approach within 500 meters of an offshore oil exploration vessel, with violations carrying a hefty fine of up to $10,000. Moreover, any interference with the operations of such vessels can result in penalties of up to 12 months in prison or fines as high as $50,000. The charges have been filed by New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals, a part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. This incident highlights the ongoing tension between environmental activism and resource exploration in New Zealand waters.

In a bold demonstration of environmental activism, Greenpeace has successfully intercepted the Amazon Warrior, the largest seismic blasting ship in the world, off the coast of Wairarapa, New Zealand. The organization's New Zealand executive director, Russel Norman, aboard the Greenpeace vessel Taitu, took action by communicating directly with the Amazon Warrior's captain, urging an immediate halt to its seismic blasting operations. Norman emphasized the significant opposition to oil drilling within New Zealand waters, voicing concerns shared by local councils, iwi, and a large portion of the populace. During the conversation, he assured the Amazon Warrior's crew of Greenpeace's commitment to non-violence while stating their intent to protect shared environmental interests. The Amazon Warrior, measuring 125 meters, has been contracted by oil giants Statoil and Chevron for seismic surveying in the region. This interception follows a recent encounter where the Ngati Kahungunu-owned vessel Te Matau a Maui confronted the Amazon Warrior off the coast of Hawke's Bay. This protest action comes in the wake of the New Zealand Government’s release of approximately 49,630 square kilometers of its maritime territory for exploration, highlighting the ongoing contention surrounding oil drilling in the area.

In a determined stand against environmental threats, Greenpeace has taken to the waters off New Zealand’s east coast to track the seismic blasting ship, Amazon Warrior. This vessel, engaged in oil exploration for energy giants Statoil and Chevron, is currently operating approximately 20 nautical miles from the Wairarapa coast. Early this morning, a group consisting of Greenpeace activists and local iwi members embarked in two rigid-hulled inflatable boats to confront the Amazon Warrior regarding its controversial activities. The environmental organization announced that they had presented a formidable 60,000-signature petition against the dangerous practice of seismic blasting, which was conveyed to the ship through an open radio letter. Throughout the day, Greenpeace vowed to closely monitor the Amazon Warrior and its support vessels as they conduct oil searches. This includes capturing underwater recordings of seismic blasts, which many experts warn could harm marine life, particularly deafening whales. Additionally, the activists are committed to sharing their findings with scientists to help assess the impact of these operations on ocean ecosystems. In light of recent whale strandings, two survey companies involved in seismic testing have responded to allegations regarding a potential link to their activities, with one company even offering to fund a necropsy for any whale that may become stranded near their current operations.