ShellNo Activists Chain Themselves to Support Vessel

Activists protesting Shell’s oil explorations in the Arctic have climbed the anchor chain of one of the company’s support vessels, the Arctic Challenger, anchored in Bellingham, north of Seattle, Washington.

The so called ShellNo activists attached themselves to the vessel in an attempt of stopping the vessel from departing for the Arctic as environmental concerns heighten over oil drilling plans and their impact on pollution and the climate change in the region.

Chiara D’Angelo, a 20-year-old Western Washington University student, mounted the vessel on Friday night and was joined shortly after by Matt Fuller, another protester.

On Sunday morning, the United States Coast Guard personnel assisted in the removal of Matt Fuller down from the vessel’s anchor chain at approximately 4:30 a.m.

“Coast Guard personnel transported him in good condition to Station Bellingham were he was met by EMS and the Bellingham Police Department but was not arrested.  Fuller was released in good condition,” the Coast Guard said.

Media reports from Sunday afternoon indicate that D’Angelo remains on the anchor after over 42 hours. The Coast Guard has asked the woman to unchain herself from the vessel, which is not scheduled to depart the area in the following week.

The ShellNo Action Council called on for support to the protesters by staging rallies in their kayaks, urging supporters to bring food and clothing to the activists attached to the vessel. The Council is scheduled to meet on Monday to plan further steps of action on the matter.

The Coast Guard has cited four people for violation of the 100-yard safety zone around the Arctic Challenger and has terminated the voyage of two vessels determined to not have had the required safety gear including operating without navigational lights after sunset.  A small inflatable raft was held due to lack of proof of ownership, the Coast Guard added.

“The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment Rights of people to safely and lawfully assemble on the water.  To that end, we will enforce those laws and regulations necessary to ensure the safety of the maritime public,” said Lt. Cmdr. Justin Noggle, chief of enforcement at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, in Seattle. 

The Coast Guard said that violation of the safety zone can result in possible civil or criminal penalties.

“Whether intentional or unintentional, interference with these vessels has the potential to result in serious injury, death or pollution in the highly sensitive ecosystem of Puget Sound,” the CG added.

The latest turn of events follows a round of protests in the Port of Seattle against Shell’s plans in exploring the Arctic within the company’s quest for oil reserves.

World Maritime News Staff; Images: ShellNo Action Council