The first stroke of white paint rolls off the roller, it is a vertical stroke across the ecology and peace symbols set inside the Kwakiutl totem. The second runs horizontally in the middle and wipes out the Greenpeace logo. I am leaning over the crane controls, a roller in one hand and paint tray in the other. Maite and Katie are watching from the main deck.
I pause, reminded of a childhood difficulty I used to face with chocolate bunnies at easter: what was less painful: first biting off the ears or the legs? I did not wish to do either. I close my eyes and wish the Rainbow Warrior god speed on its journey to a new vessel. I reach down to touch the furthest corner of the totem.
Maite is on the stern, the colour in her pot is stone. She dips her roller into it whilst wiping away tears with the back of her hand. The top left corner of the Kwakiutl totem disappears with the first sweep of her long arm and roller. I watch from the jetty as the second totem disappears off the surface of the Rainbow Warrior.
The sun bakes the old riveted hull in Singapore and the paint dries quickly. The rest of the crew have green in their pots. Stripes of it cut swathes into the seven colours of the rainbow.
I have tears in my eyes. I have loved this ship. She has been my first command and my home for five years. Now it is time to say: Goodbye Rainbow Warrior.
Painting out the rainbow
Painting out the Kwakiutl totem
