Solitaire visited by Shell to Sea activists

mayo | environment | news report Wednesday August 20, 2008 14:48 by Rudiger - Shell to Sea

Yesterday at 1pm, 3 kayakers paddled out from close by to Killybegs Harbour to deliver a letter from Shell to Sea to Captain Van Der Plicht on the Solitaire, the biggest pipe laying ship in the world.

Representing the views of many from the communities affected by the Corrib gas project, the letter asks the Captain to reconsider his, and the ship's, participation in the development. The letter states that if the Captain chooses to continue the ship's involvement he will meet strong resistance. Many people have pledged to take to the water to stop this pipeline construction work.

After leaving shore the kayakers paddled within 300m of the Solitaire. The ship was then contacted and asked if they would accept the letter from the kayakers. The Captain stated that he was willing to accept the letter but stated that their Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) was currently being repaired and so after some thought concluded that they would send down a bucket using the ships crane to take the letter.

After a short wait, the bucket was lowered and the letter was deposited and sucessfully brought aboard. The kayakers then paddled the 1km into Killybegs pier passing the Vlaanderen VII on the dock, which was recently grounded just about 300m from Glengad beach. The Vlaanderen VII has not been seen back in Broadhaven Bay since being grounded.

On landing at Killybegs Pier, the kayakers were greeted by some supporters and media. Two garda vehicles who oversaw the landing seemed slightly bemused by the whole thing. Overall it was a very successfully action.

Today however, as preparation for the resistance to the Solitaire continues, the Gardaí have stepped up their response. This afternoon a member of Rossport Solidarity Camp was arrested in relation to the taking down of the net at Glengad beach nearly 2 months ago. He was needlessly handcuffed despite co-operating fully with the arresting Gardaí. He is still being held at the time of writing.

A camp including a marquee has now been set up overlooking the works at Glengad beach to monitior Shells work, to keep an eye out for the Solitaire and to act as a space for the community and visitors to gather.

Shell to Sea diving teams have also reported that the trench dug for the nearshore part of the pipeline has been filled in due recent sea conditions. Kayakers and diving teams have been going out on daily recently in preparation for the Solitaire.
As momentum is building against the imminent arrival of the Solitaire, this really is the time to come to help in our struggle to Stop Shell. We believe that the Solitaire is on a tight schedule for work here, after which it is booked up elsewhere for the next two years. This is a great opportunuty to STOP SHELL laying the pipe.
Please come prepared to camp or contact us for local accomodation (phone 0851141170 or email rossportsolidaritycamp@gmail.com). All equipment for activity on the water will be most useful, including life jackets, kayaks, canoes, wet or dry suits, etc.
Now is the time for direct action that will be effective.

The new marquee just after setup

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