Six Greenpeace climbers have intercepted an Arctic-bound Shell oil rig in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 750 miles north-west of Hawaii and have scaled the 38,000 tonne platform.
The multi-national team of volunteers will set up camp on the underside of the Polar Pioneers main deck. They have supplies to last for several days and are equipped with technology which will allow them to communicate with supporters around the world in real-time, despite being hundreds of miles from land.
Last week, the United States Department of Interior approved Shells drilling lease for the Chukchi Sea in the Alaskan Arctic. This means that in 100 days, Shell could begin drilling in the Alaskan Arctic.
At approximately 1 PM EST, the six, from the USA, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden and Austria, sped towards the Polar Pioneer, which Shell intends to use to drill for oil in the Chukchi Sea, in inflatable boats launched from the Greenpeace ship Esperanza.
In the News:
NBC News
Associated Press
Fuel Fix
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2015/04/06/arctic-activists-scale-shell-contracted-rig/
Seattle Post Intelligencer
FOLLOW LIVE:
These GIFs brilliantly tell the story of #TheCrossing: http://t.co/C4qBPwWjfW pic.twitter.com/tupiTm9Z79
Save The Arctic (@savethearctic) April 8, 2015
Day 3. 4am watch reporting. This morning the moon joins the lights of the Espe. No headlamps needed. #PeopleVsShell pic.twitter.com/6JcFrICu5q
Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 8, 2015
Just swallowed coffee goo from a tube. We’re getting calls. Good morning 3am interviews(!) #TheCrossing
Zoe Buckley Lennox (@zoevirginia) April 8, 2015
The Six do shifts on watch for safety and we keep a watch over them at night with an infrared camera on #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/NvPkrY9fNX
Greenpeace Esperanza (@gp_espy) April 8, 2015
Not Shells ocean. Not Shell’s atmosphere #TheCrossing RT @FrankyLamouche: @NaomiAKlein @ABC – it is their property.
Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) April 8, 2015
postcard from the polar pioneer… to all our friends and arctic-lovers. #thecrossing #savethearctic pic.twitter.com/dM4gbX03d4
Miriam Friedrich (@MiriFriedrich) April 8, 2015
Me, @WidlundAndreas and everyone are overwhelmed by your support! xoxo #TheCrossing #SaveTheArctic pic.twitter.com/GOolTRFwje
Zoe Buckley Lennox (@zoevirginia) April 8, 2015
we just had an awesome lunch! thx @gp_espy really enjoyed! many hugs from all of us and an extra big one for willy! pic.twitter.com/H8bG61urcT
Miriam Friedrich (@MiriFriedrich) April 8, 2015
Special delivery to our climbers underway. Recharged batteries for their phone & some special lunch from our cook Willie 🙂 #TheCrossing
Greenpeace Esperanza (@gp_espy) April 8, 2015
Banner hanging time, and @zoevirginia and @nsp_one doing an awesome job rigging up lines! #thecrossing pic.twitter.com/tDHLH6WdHv
Andreas Widlund (@WidlundAndreas) April 7, 2015
Sun’s just hitting our camp, and it feels GOOD. Excited about what today may hold. #PeopleVsShell pic.twitter.com/jNSn0A97HW
Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 7, 2015
I’d die for a warm cup of coffee, but it’s hard to complain about a sunrise over the Pacific. Even from the side of an oil rig. #TheCrossing
Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 7, 2015
Got the 4am watch. I slept well and warm. The lights of @gp_espy are a comforting sight to wake up to. #PeopleVsShell pic.twitter.com/TZ8n6Sy66S
Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 7, 2015
Spoke to @zoevirginia & @widlundandreas on radio, spirits are high. They’re sheltered from wind by a #SavetheArctic banner 😉 #TheCrossing
Greenpeace Esperanza (@gp_espy) April 7, 2015
“They’re just trying to make their presence known.” http://t.co/DjSqTp3FBx #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/DFcIUxCDe5
Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa) April 7, 2015
Climbing Shell’s Polar Pioneer oil rig: “skill demonstrated by climbers is impressive & worth noting” http://t.co/Z0GnHEIo37 #TheCrossing
Ben Ayliffe (@benayliffe) April 7, 2015
It’s pitch black. But we do see lights from activists head lamps 40 metres up Shells Arctic oil rig https://t.co/1xd8qPpXjF #thecrossing Greenpeace Esperanza (@gp_espy) April 7, 2015
Just received a resupply from @gp_espy. Extra safety equipment, food & water for #TheCrossing https://t.co/OY83Nb3CZt pic.twitter.com/CJSrtt4zQX
Jens (@jens4762) April 7, 2015
It feels like there are a whole lot more of us than the people hanging off this rig #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/CQjQhpqWd6 Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 6, 2015
My sis @zoevirginia on SBS News from the back of the @Shell‘s rig on a cargo ship toward Arctic She’s a climate hero http://t.co/a70nzbLwcT
Emma Buckley Lennox (@ebuckleylennox) April 7, 2015
Our work here would not be possible without all of you who stand with us – thank you for that. #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/mGi5Eroat7 Jens (@jens4762) April 7, 2015
So grateful for all the support near & far! And excited about the tarps & warm layers about to come up! #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/uR6BIduTDg
Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 7, 2015
@zoevirginia you made it up?! Be safe, friends. #SaveTheArctic Climate change major threat to worldPeace. Exploitation of Arctic melt =evil. Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) April 7, 2015
Our little mate the Esparanza looking after us. #TheCrossing #PeopleVsShell pic.twitter.com/6VlPwcIh4u
Zoe Buckley Lennox (@zoevirginia) April 7, 2015
Feeling overwhelmed by the mass of support. It’s starting to feel loud up here with the 1000s of voices. Lets get louder! #TheCrossing Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 7, 2015
I’m just an ordinary guy & I think that if you had the opportunity to do what I do you’d have the courage & strength to do it #TheCrossing
Andreas Widlund (@WidlundAndreas) April 7, 2015
It’s really great to know that there are so many people here with us! Thank you! #TheCrossing https://t.co/vsaCY9EbqY pic.twitter.com/PmNDUnPU4w Greenpeace Esperanza (@gp_espy) April 7, 2015
Normally I’m studying environmental education, but right now I feel by climbing this oil rig, we’re sharing this with the world #TheCrossing Miriam Friedrich (@MiriFriedrich) April 7, 2015
Just received a resupply from @gp_espy. Extra safety equipment, food & water for #TheCrossing https://t.co/OY83Nb3CZt pic.twitter.com/CJSrtt4zQX Jens (@jens4762) April 7, 2015
We’re not driven by profit&power but the voices of 7million, our beliefs&hearts. #TheCrossing https://t.co/WNC5AgTJto pic.twitter.com/ty1P6Zy1DK JOHNO SMITH (@nsp_one) April 7, 2015
40m above ocean, safe &secure Now #TheCrossing really starts Now we expose Shell to the world https://t.co/iANOC3rfSw pic.twitter.com/Gluvu7OJC9 Zoe Buckley Lennox (@zoevirginia) April 6, 2015
It feels like there are a whole lot more of us than the people hanging off this rig #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/CQjQhpqWd6 Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 6, 2015
This is exhilarating! Almost like climbing a mountain for the first time. pic.twitter.com/Vm4DoiPlIa Miriam Friedrich (@MiriFriedrich) April 6, 2015
I’m just one person stuck on a drill rig, but you are many. http://t.co/QVIUI5dAYS #PeopleVsShell #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/rdH7EWb7Jx Zoe Buckley Lennox (@zoevirginia) April 6, 2015
7 million #PeopleVsShell, who do you think will win? #TheCrossing http://t.co/oH5nKlrt5v pic.twitter.com/WV58Ovk9O4 Save The Arctic (@savethearctic) April 6, 2015
From a distance it looked so small… #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/V45isnawNl Andreas Widlund (@WidlundAndreas) April 6, 2015
On the bridge were happy to see our six climbers up safe on Shells Arctic oil rig & already tweeting! #thecrossing Greenpeace Esperanza (@gp_espy) April 6, 2015
“@aliyahfield: All climbers are safely aboard Shell’s oil rig! Now we need your voices. Let’s go! #PeopleVsShell pic.twitter.com/qGvJUQfQYJ” Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) April 6, 2015
Being here, this experience leaves no doubt in my mind that taking action like this is necessary #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/zjeGwjr4lx Jens (@jens4762) April 6, 2015
Just spoke to @aliyahfield on from her spot on the Polar Pioneer. Six days until the Arctic rig reaches Port Angeles. They’ve got hammocks. Sydney Brownstone (@sydbrownstone) April 6, 2015
.@Greenpeace activists have climbed onto a Shell oil drilling rig headed for Seattle. http://t.co/QTnZYAOTev pic.twitter.com/9egmmrEceS The Stranger (@strangerslog) April 6, 2015
From a distance it looked so small, but up close it multiplied in size, but so have we. #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/Je0dcqYWYZ Andreas Widlund (@WidlundAndreas) April 6, 2015
Not attached to an oil rig to #SaveTheArctic right now? Here are ways you can amplify the effort of the 6 who are: http://t.co/xAxzs1PH8V Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) April 6, 2015
And here’s @Shell‘s PR response. Now they’re paying attention, let’s keep the pressure on: http://t.co/M7Tic16XwN pic.twitter.com/t27a947i41 Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) April 6, 2015
Feeling overwhelmed by the mass of support. It’s starting to feel loud up here with the 1000s of voices. Let’s get even louder! Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 6, 2015
Wow! We made it! We climbed the rig! #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/eKoYR0nkHp Miriam Friedrich (@MiriFriedrich) April 6, 2015
We’re having a quick snack – need a lot of physical strength today. But so much strength comes from all of you! THANK YOU! #TheCrossing Zoe Buckley Lennox (@zoevirginia) April 6, 2015
Here’s @WidlundAndreas on his way up the Polar Pioneer! Follow the action HERE: http://t.co/F3VsLJNhyp #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/g2l2EUl9Io Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) April 6, 2015
Drill rig contracted by Shell for #Arctic drilling boarded by @Greenpeace protesters in Pacific Ocean http://t.co/Ke8eisIYOT Alaska Dispatch News (@adndotcom) April 6, 2015
Have you heard? RIGHT NOW Greenpeace activists are on top of Shell’s Arctic drill rig! http://t.co/F3VsLJNhyp https://t.co/7ZZyYKVmUj Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) April 6, 2015
On the Pacific, 6 volunteers woke up before dawn. Now, they’re all on board Shell’s Arctic drill rig! #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/tZrQzf0Csh Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa) April 6, 2015
GO TEAM! Watch #TheCrossing LIVE, here >>> http://t.co/F9Q8PfYVqd pic.twitter.com/n8fimcXq9k Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) April 6, 2015
It appears @greenpeace activists have just scaled @Shell‘s Arctic drill rig in the middle of the North Pacific http://t.co/EkpXFyTTEU McKenzie Funk (@McKenzieFunk) April 6, 2015
We are just 6 people that climbed the rig. Actually there are many more than 6.8million with us. #TheCrossing https://t.co/5fKuXdEt75 Miriam Friedrich (@MiriFriedrich) April 6, 2015
All climbers are safely aboard Shell’s oil rig! Now we need your voices. Let’s go! #PeopleVsShell pic.twitter.com/VAMKaGkiWx Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 6, 2015
Today we board Shells oil rig to highlight the disaster that fossil fuels will cause to our planet and everything we call home. #TheCrossing JOHNO SMITH (@nsp_one) April 6, 2015
EVERYBODY’S UP! WE MADE IT! #TheCrossing Zoe Buckley Lennox (@zoevirginia) April 6, 2015
Going up! We got this far with the support of 6.7 million. Now I’ll take one more step. #TheCrossing https://t.co/5fKuXdEt75 Miriam Friedrich (@MiriFriedrich) April 6, 2015
I’m using the skills I have to make this change, but you have skills I don’t. We need them all to win. #TheCrossing pic.twitter.com/s0UOXY8w00 Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 6, 2015
We made it! We’re on Shell’s platform. And we’re not alone. Everyone can help turn this into a platform for people power! #TheCrossing. Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 6, 2015
I’m number 3. Here I go. Up a rope to #savetheArctic. #TheCrossing https://t.co/OY83Nb3CZt Jens (@jens4762) April 6, 2015
Now it’s my turn – wish me luck! We’re going to show Shell what our movement is made of. #TheCrossing https://t.co/XztzZILHqX Aliyah Field (@aliyahfield) April 6, 2015
We made it up safe! This is where it begins @Shell, you won’t stand a chance against 6.7 million of us! #TheCrossing https://t.co/rPq2HVrQWF Andreas Widlund (@WidlundAndreas) April 6, 2015
BOOM! @WidlundAndreas is UP. He’s the first to scale Shell’s Arctic oil rig, the Polar Pioneer. FOLLOW #TheCrossing https://t.co/VPjvoIaQWZ Zoe Buckley Lennox (@zoevirginia) April 6, 2015
