SECOND SEISMIC TESTING VESSEL STOPPED BY GREENPEACE - ACTION CONTINUES

London, 2 July 1997

Greenpeace activists have boarded the vessel 'Atlantic Explorer' to prevent it from leaving Ullapool harbour to commence seismic testing in the Atlantic Frontier.

At 4.50 pm this afternoon, six activists boarded the Atlantic Explorer and locked themselves onto the vessel. Two activists are attached to the bow line in harnesses, some 13 meters above the water, two others (both British) are on the vessel's crane with a large banner reading "No New Oil. Greenpeace." One of the activists, a woman, is locked on to the helideck and crew of the Atlantic Explorer are endeavouring to remove her. A further activist is attached to the stern line at the rear of the 91 meter long boat.

The Atlantic Explorer was due to leave its mooring at Ullapool to begin seismic testing for the oil company Conoco in tranche 52 of the Atlantic Frontier - an area covered in the 17th licensing round.

Speaking from Ullapool, Greenpeace Campaign Director Chris Rose said, "There is only one ultimate result of seismic testing and it is environmental damage - to our climate, to our ocean and to our marine wildlife. Seismic testing is followed by drilling, by toxic muds and polluted waters and finally by carbon dioxide and damage to the climate. The planet must be defended against this senseless exploration for new oil."

This is the second time Greenpeace has taken non violent direct action to prevent vessels carrying out seismic testing, the first phase of oil exploration, in the North East Atlantic. Last week the MV Greenpeace launched inflatables to prevent the Pacific Horizon from testing on behalf of Texaco.

Seismic testing vessels use an array of streamers carrying air guns and recording equipment. The airguns emit explosions reaching 250 decibels to survey the rock formation of the ocean bed.

Greenpeace has lodged papers in the High Court in London, seeking leave for a Judicial Review of the Government's alleged failure to consider the Habitats Directive in relation to coral reefs in the area.

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