“Rainbow Warrior you are entering the Medway compulsory pilotage area without a pilot. You must stop your vessel and leave the area. You are breaking maritime law.” That’s what the Medway Vessel Traffic Service told me this morning. But, I kept the throttle down and Rainbow Warrior (flanked by eight zodiacs) pointing at an antiquated technology that is consuming the planet. I did inform the VTS when we passed Grain Edge navigation buoy, that we’d entered the Medway channel. I chose not to take a pilot this morning for fear of implicating my fellow mariners in a civilly disobedient activity. In the past week I have done two trips down the Medway, past Kingsnorth, to Chatham Ness – both trips under pilotage with me paying utmost attention to the local navigation.
“Medway VTS, Rainbow Warrior bound for Kingsnorth Power Station.” I reported at all the calling points and I slowed as we passed the heavy lift crane working at the LNG terminal. A police RHIB rushed passed (the men in black), they looked jolly professional. Then, with less than a mile to Kingsnorth Jetty, I brought the engines to a stop and let the tide take us the rest of the way in. There were two large police boats in the water, blue lights flashing – in addition to the men in black – and the quay was lined with security wearing reflective orange working jackets and hard hats. I put Chris on the helm, gave him a course to steer.
With engines going astern we reached the tip of the jetty and launched the canoes from the pilot door. Then with a few ahead/astern movements I had Rainbow Warrior turned around, stemming the tide and whilst the zodiacs and canoes entertained the police, I brought the old girl to rest upon Kingsnorth Jetty fenders. Ropes ran out with the zodiacs and were tied to the pilings beneath the jetty. The police rushed in, they cut the ropes with their knives. More ropes were run out – beneath the jetty by the canoes – which the police could not reach. We hauled them tight and brought Rainbow Warrior alongside. In position and finished with engines at Kingsnorth Power Station.
amrit said,
October 29, 2008 at 9:00 pm
yippee!
les said,
October 29, 2008 at 10:08 pm
YOU’RE DOING A GRAND JOB.
linda robbins said,
October 29, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Well done! We are proud of you all, enjoyed coming on board on 25th oct!
Thanks a million.
Captain’s blog: Medway Morning Mooring | wildspirit said,
October 30, 2008 at 4:33 am
[...] Read the rest (and while you’re there, have a good browse – Mike writes beautifully). [...]
marlene said,
October 30, 2008 at 8:14 am
I’m with you in spirit on all your journeys…
David said,
October 30, 2008 at 8:37 am
You are a wonderful man Mike Mate…..we are with you all the way……x
Abri said,
October 30, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Fantastic
Captain’s blog: Medway Morning Mooring | Cut Global Warming said,
October 30, 2008 at 6:34 pm
[...] Read the rest (and while you’re there, have a good browse – Mike writes beautifully). [...]
Sheelagh Urbanoviez said,
October 31, 2008 at 9:50 am
Hey you guys, from a longstanding member of Greenpeace: utmost respect and you are always in my thoughts…….will be coming aboard on Sunday 2nd Nov with vegan chocolate muffins and grateful thanks for all you are doing. Thanks so much for your fabulous efforts. Love ya.
realfoodlover said,
October 31, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Thank you for this great work and hope you enjoy the vegan choco muffins from the commentator, Sheelagh – you deserve them!
Rien said,
November 2, 2008 at 4:17 am
Good one ya’s! Hope the govt.takes note and acts accordingly, ie. stop allowing the use of coal.
Carole Davis said,
November 2, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Just returned to Cambridge having achieved a lifetime ambition – to go on board the Rainbow Warrior. Good luck with everything – you have a loy of support out there.
M S H Windross said,
November 6, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I was completely thrilled to get on the Rainbow Warrior at Southend pier on the 26th Oct. It had been a difficult journey from Chatham because of railworks etc. I would have liked to stay with you and go back to Chatham on your ship but I went to visit my mother while I was in Essex. I tried to reply to Bex by text but my phone wouldn’t do it. Lots of respect to all of you and success in all you do. Margaret