Working Conditions Aboard the Rainbow-Warrior

On May 16, 2025, the captain of Greenpeace’s iconic vessel, the 'Rainbow Warrior', alongside four dedicated activists—Sam Rodrigues from Mexico, Alex Wilson from the UK, Ash from Taiwan, and Jens from Germany—appeared in a South Korean court. Their court session stems from an incident that took place on November 30, 2024, involving their boarding of the Japanese-owned LPG tanker 'Buena Alba', which was moored off the coast of South Korea. Following their protest, which urged for a robust international ban on plastics through a treaty, the activists have been in custody since the demonstration. The protest coincided with the fifth round of negotiations for a UN Global Plastic Treaty held in Busan, South Korea. As part of the 'Sailing for Change' tour across Eastern Asia, the 'Rainbow Warrior' team strategically aligned their protest with these crucial discussions. According to reports from the Korean Yonhap news agency, the group is facing charges of obstructing business operations and unlawfully intruding onto a vessel, with the court imposing restrictions that prevent their departure from South Korea. As a show of solidarity, Greenpeace staged a rally outside the courthouse, advocating for the immediate release of its members, so they can return to their loved ones and pressing for a swift resolution to the ongoing trial. The activists engaged in a visually striking protest, utilizing banners to amplify their message, including a bold declaration that “Plastics Kill” inscribed on the side of the 'Buena Alba'. This collective effort was intended to highlight their demands for a stringent Plastics Treaty. Greenpeace maintains that their actions were peaceful, asserting that they posed no threat to safety while the tanker was waiting to load chemicals at the Hyundai Daesan Refinery. The South Korean police detained the activists and the captain for approximately two days during an investigation, after which they were released under the condition that they remain within the country until the legal proceedings are concluded.

In a significant move for climate activism, the Greenpeace vessel 'Rainbow Warrior' has received permission to navigate into the restricted zone in Glasgow for the COP26 summit. Initially, port authorities expressed intentions to prohibit the ship's entry into the Clyde section adjacent to the SEC Conference Centre. However, on the afternoon of November 1, 2021, Police Scotland announced that the vessel would be permitted to proceed to its destination. As the 'Rainbow Warrior' approached the Firth of Clyde, HMS Vigilant issued a warning mentioning that continuing its journey could mean breaching maritime regulations, and that Police Scotland would need to respond accordingly. Harbour authorities had communicated regularly with the 'Rainbow Warrior' crew, emphasizing the restrictions and notable safety issues that made entry risky. Despite these warnings, the captain of the 'Rainbow Warrior' made the decision to move forward. After discussions between law enforcement and harbour officials, it was determined that facilitating the vessel's safe passage was the best choice for both the crew and the public. Ultimately, the 'Rainbow Warrior' docked successfully at 6 p.m., marking a triumphant moment in the journey of Greenpeace's flagship vessel. For more details and photos, visit the source article: https://www.times-series.co.uk/news/national/19686644.rainbow-warrior-given-go-ahead-sail-cop26-u-turn-port-authorities/

On September 9, 2019, the 'Rainbow Warrior', a prominent Greenpeace vessel, was forcibly boarded by Polish authorities as part of a protest against the country's coal imports. The Greenpeace activists aimed to obstruct a bulk carrier loaded with coal from reaching the docks in Gdansk. This protest escalated when heavily armed border guards intervened, leading to the arrest of 18 activists who were subsequently taken ashore for questioning. Among those detained were two protesters, including the captain of the 'Rainbow Warrior'. As of the morning of September 11, the ship remained anchored off Gdansk, monitored by a Polish Coast Guard vessel. Despite the maritime confrontation, the activists have pivoted their efforts to land-based actions, specifically targeting the cranes designated to unload the coal cargo. For more insights, check out the protest footage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx46RP6syBo.