22 July 2002
Greenpeace Irresponsibility Reaches New Heights
British Nuclear Fuels today accused Greenpeace of recklessly endangering their own, and potentially other, lives with a
protest in the Tasman Sea.
At 0830 today local time, two protestors threw themselves off an inflatable boat only 400 meters in front of one of the
vessels involved in the shipment of MOX fuel from Japan to the United Kingdom, forcing the skipper to take evasive
action.
"Despite this evasive action, the vessel passed within 70 meters of the protestors in the water - that is less than the
length of the vessel," BNFL spokesman Mark Scott said.
"To throw themselves into the water in front of the vessel is the height of maritime lunacy, and does Greepeace no
credit whatsoever. The whole situation is worsened by the fact that one of the protestors who jumped into the sea is a
member of the New South Wales (Australia) Senate, Senator Ian Cohen - someone who should know better than to involve
himself in such misguided actions.
"We have no objection to legitimate protest. This was not legitimate, and could have created a situation with grave
consequences.
"Greenpeace and their crew members know that safety of life at sea is the paramount concern of any responsible seafarer,
and they have deliberately flouted one of the most basic precepts of safety by causing a vessel to take an emergency
evasive manoeuvre.
"They should be condemned for their stupidity," Mr Scott said.
Ends