Update: Polar Pioneer Departs Seattle, 24 Detained

Twenty-four ShellNo activists were detained while trying to block Shell’s drilling rig Polar Pioneer from departing the port of Seattle’s Terminal 5 on its way to the Arctic.

The US Coast Guard and partner agency law enforcement personnel detained 24 people, including Seattle Councilman Mike O’Brien, for violating the 500-yard safety zone established around the Polar Pioneer, Monday morning.

The individuals were transported to Coast Guard Base Seattle at Pier 36, issued notices of violation that include a USD 500 fine and released with their equipment, the Coast Guard said.

“Individuals were detained after violating the established safety zone but there were no reports of injuries and we encourage anyone on the water to make safety their number one priority,” explained Capt. Joe Raymond, commander of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, in Seattle.

Shell’s first oil rig managed to leave the Port of Seattle on Monday morning despite attempts of activists to block the rig.

As the rig began to move, thirteen Greenpeace US activists formed a human blockade between it and the Arctic, holding it there for hours, Greenpeace said.

More kayaktivists joined the protests on the water nearby in an attempt of stopping Shell from drilling in the Arctic.

Up to 50 ShellNo Kayaktivists launched into Elliot Bay as the rig was readying to move out at around 6 a.m. Monday.

Even as Shell’s rig moves towards the Pacific Ocean it is met by continuous protests.

The Coast Guard said it would continue to enforce the safety zone around the Polar Pioneer’s transit north into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

“Planned protest activity is expected along the way and the Coast Guard will continue to manage waterway safety specifically commercial traffic within the shipping lanes,” the Coast Guard added.

The latest report from USCG vessel traffic said that Polar Pioneer was underway, making 3.5 knots heading North.

Shell’s drilling plans have been faced with a wave of protests including those in Canada, the latest one being Toast the Coast in Vancouver, CA last Saturday that gathered some 5,000 people in celebrating their coastline and rejecting Arctic oil drilling. The group included indigenous peoples, environmental activists, artists who voiced opposition to Shell’s plans.

Shell received government permission to drill in the Arctic this summer despite a study showing that there’s a 75 percent chance of a major Arctic spill within this century should drilling in the Chukchi Sea move ahead.

World Maritime News Staff: Image: ShellNo Action Council