Greenpeace Captain to be Charged in Port Protest

Published Jul 28, 2005 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

The Captain of the Greenpeace flagship, "Rainbow Warrior" will be charged with maritime security offenses, after blockading Newcastle Harbor to highlight Australia's contribution to climate change.

Greenpeace protesters forced the closure of Newcastle Harbor, the world's largest coal export port, when they anchored the "Rainbow Warrior" in the channel leading to the Kooragang and Carrington terminals.

The five-hour protest came to an abrupt end, when a police team stormed the vessel and arrested the captain, Derek Nicholls, and detained the crew. New South Wales police confirmed Captain Nicholls was expected to be charged under the Navigation Act with entering port without a pilot.

The four protesters who took control of a coal loader at the Kooragang terminal were also arrested. Greenpeace named the four as Jason Collins, Kristina Bodewes, Simon Roz, and Stacey Neilson. The police spokesman said they would be charged under the Federal Maritime Act for trespassing.

"We are disappointed the five were arrested ... but it's still well worth it for what we've been able to achieve, which is to draw attention to climate change and the fact that Australian exports of coal are fuelling the problem," Greenpeace spokesman Ben Pearson said.