RAINBOW WARRIOR

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Captain and four activists appeared off court for incident off South Korea

The captain of the 'Rainbow Warrior' and four Greenpeace activists, namely Sam Rodrigues (Mexico), Alex Wilson (UK), Ash (Taiwan), and Jens (Germany) made their first appearance in a South Korean court on May 16, 2025, on charges related to an incident on Nov 30, 2024, where they boarded the Japanese-owned LPG tanker 'Buena Alba', which was anchored off South Korea. They have been detained in the country since after the protest in which they used the ship to call for a strong international plastics treaty ban. The protest was coordinated to the fifth round of negotiations for a UN Global Plastic Treaty that was taking place in Busan, South Korea. The 'Rainbow Warrior' was conducting a “Sailing for Change” tour in Eastern Asia and coordinated a visit to the scheduled negotiations. They were all being charged with obstruction of business and unlawful intrusion onto a vessel according to the Korean Yonhap news agency. They report that the court continues to prohibit the five from leaving the country. The group staged a protest outside the court as part of a campaign calling for the release of its members so that they can return home to their families. They also called for a quick conclusion to the trial, and at the same time, repeated their calls for the Plastics Treaty. The four protestors had set off from the 'Rainbow Warrior' for one of the group's typical protests that involve banners to draw attention to their cause. The protestors displayed banners calling for the treaty and painted the words “Plastics Kill” on the side of the tanker and also boarded the ship and climbed its mast to unfurl their banners. Greenpeace contended it was a peaceful protest and put no one in danger, while the tanker was waiting to load chemicals at the Hyundai Daesan Refinery. The South Korean police took the four into custody along with the captain of the 'Rainbow Warrior' and held them for nearly two days during the investigation. While they were released, they were ordered to remain in South Korea for the outcome of the investigation.

Greenpeace ship allowed to attend Cop 26 summit

Climate activists on board the 'Rainbow Warrior' have been allowed to sail into the heart of Glasgow after officials agreed to allow the ship into the Cop26 restricted zone. Port authorities wanted to block the vessel from entering the area, which bans craft from the stretch of the Clyde next to the SEC conference centre, but in the afternoon of Nov 1, 2021, Police Scotland confirmed the vessel was to be allowed to continue to its destination. Greenpeace said it had been warned by HMS Vigilant, as it approached the Firth of Clyde, that if the 'Rainbow Warrior' continued its voyage it would be in breach of maritime laws and Police Scotland would “act appropriately”. Harbour authorities had been in regular communication with the 'Rainbow Warrior' and had instructed that, due to the restrictions and some significant safety concerns, it could not sail to its intended destination. Despite this, the Captain of the 'Rainbow Warrior' signalled her intent to continue. Accordingly, following consultation between police and harbour authorities, it was considered that the safest option for the crew of the 'Rainbow Warrior' and wider public was to ensure the safe passage of the vessel to its destination where it berthed at 6 p.m. Report with photos: https://www.times-series.co.uk/news/national/19686644.rainbow-warrior-given-go-ahead-sail-cop26-u-turn-port-authorities/

Greenpeace ship stormed by Polish authorities

Polish authorities stormed the "Rainbow Warrior" on Sep 9, 2019, as Greenpeace conducted a protest action against Polish coal imports. The activists tried to prevent a bulk carrier loaded with coal from docking in Gdansk, which ended up with heavily armed border guards boarding the Greenpeace ship. 18 activists were arrested and brought ashore for questioning. Two activists, including the captain of the "Rainbow Warrior", remained detained. In the morning of Sep 11, the "Rainbow Warrior" remained at anchor off the port of Gdansk, guarded by a vessel of the Polish Coast Guard. The activists, however, continue their action on land, now targeting the cranes that will unload the cargo of the bulk carrier. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx46RP6syBo