80s 1980 In May, Greenpeace prevents two freighters loaded with Bayer’s chemical waste from leaving port in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. A 3-day long blockade draws public attention to the dumping of acid waste at sea. The Rainbow Warrior prevents nuclear shipments being made from Cherbourg, France and Barrow-in-Furness, UK, to the reprocessing plants at La Hague and Sellafield. The actions protest against the transportation of spent fuel rods from Japanese nuclear power plants. In Canada and the US, Greenpeace also takes part in protests against nuclear shipments and the construction of nuclear power plants. In June, the Rainbow Warrior obstructs Spanish whalers and is impounded by the Spanish navy. She is detained at the navy base at El Ferrol, where she remains for five months before making her getaway.
image 1 The Rainbow Warrior manoeuvres to blockade firefighter loaded with Bayer’s chemical waste © Greenpeace image 2 Protests against nuclear transport in Barrow, UK © Greenpeace / Pierre Gleizes image 3 Nuclear transport ship Pacific Fisher © Greenpeace / Pierre Gleizes image 4 Spanish navy marines board the Rainbow Warrior after protest against the whaler Ibsa III © Greenpeace / Pierre Gleizes image 5 Chris Robinson during custody in Spain @ Greenpeace / Pierre Gleizes
42 THE GREENPEACE chronicles
image 6 Spanish navy vessels interfere with Greenpeace’s protest against whaling © Greenpeace / Hollander image 7 Spanish navy vessels approach the Rainbow Warrior © Greenpeace / Pieter Lagendyk image 8 Athel von Koettlitz and Tim Mark fit an engine part they have brought on board past the eyes of the Spanish navy; it will enable the Warrior to make her escape © Greenpeace / Pierre Gleizes image 9 After their heroic escape from El Ferrol, the Rainbow Warrior arrives in Jersey, UK, to a rousing welcome © Greenpeace / Pierre Gleizes