The iconic Greenpeace ship – the Rainbow Warrior – is in South African water this month to highlight solutions to South Africa’s current electricity crisis! The public is invited to celebrate the return of the Rainbow Warrior to South African shores.
The ship has vited Cape Town, is crrently in Port Elizabeth and heads for Durban on 23 February, and has hosted a number of fun and engaging activities including an impromptu stop off of St Francis to help protest against the proposed Thyspunt nuclear facility. The ship will be open to the public for free tours between 10h00 and 15h00 from 28 February to 1 March in Durban Harbour, N-Shed
The South African government is currently pushing ahead with new nuclear investments, which may cost as much as R1 trillion, and will take a minimum of 15 years to build. With this ship tour, Greenpeace plans to highlight the fact that nuclear energy is a dead end, and that removing the barriers to renewable energy investments is the real solution to the current electricity crisis. Renewable energy is already delivering on time and on budget, and it’s a no brainer that we should be making it easier for everyone to invest in solar panels for our rooftops, particularly when we are faced with the realities of loadshedding almost every day.
The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) recently reported in a new study that South Africa’s first wind and solar projects created R800 million in net financial benefits last year – that’s huge! Now is the time to invest in renewable energy!
The Rainbow Warrior has a complement of 29 under Captain Mike Fincken and the times for viewing will be confirmed closer to the time.
Rainbow Warrior is a sail driven ship of around 800 tons with a pretty unique sail configuration of jib and numerous staysails attached to two tripods – not the normal mast and boom arrangement. Consequently her ability to run in front of the wind is pretty poor and maximum speed before reefing is 12 knots under sail. A comfortable heel angle of sail is 20 degrees and knock-down is reached at 60 degrees.
For a four year old boat she is in remarkably good condition and Captain Mike’s pride in her is evident.
All funding is from private donors – no business, political party or government funding is accepted making Greenpeace truly a warrior for the people of the planet. For every R1 you donate, 80c of it is spent directly on Greenpeace campaigns. The other 20c is spent on admin and on raising funds for Greenpeace work.
There are two ways to support Greenpeace – one is by becoming a member and pledging a monthly amount and the other is via a once off donation. Donations can be made via the Greenpeace Africa page – http://www.greenpeace.org/africa/donate/ or by phoning 011 726 2404 on Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm.
