MV Greenpeace

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Career

Name:	MV Greenpeace
Operator:	Greenpeace
Completed:	1959
Acquired:	1977
Out of service:	2001
Notes:	Registered at Amsterdam, Netherlands
General characteristics
Class and type:	Ocean going tug/Salvage vessel
Tonnage:	1,176 BRT
Length:	58.06 m
Beam:	11.22 m
Draught:	5.2 m
Propulsion:	Two main Diesel, Smit M.A.N. RB 666/7
Speed:	13.5 knots
Boats and landing craft carried:	1 Avon Searider SR 7.4 m. 3 Avon D465 RIB
Capacity:	38
Notes:	Call sign: PC 8023

The MV Greenpeace was a Greenpeace ship built in 1959 as an ocean going tug/salvage vessel and originally named the Elbe. She was purchased by Greenpeace in 1977 and refitted with modern equipment before being relaunched in 1986. She took over from the first Rainbow Warrior, which had been sunk in 1985 by French commandos. In 2001 she was replaced by the MV Esperanza.

[edit] Career

During her 15 years of service with Greenpeace, the MV or Black Pig as she was affectionately known by her crew,^[1] circumnavigated the globe several times, participating in numerous campaigns. Her first deployment was as part of a peace convoy protesting against French Nuclear Testing at Moruroa Atoll. The next decade and a half saw her involved in Greenpeace campaigns around the world, from the Persian Gulf to the Antarctic.

Whilst participating in protests against the US testing of Trident missiles in 1989, the Greenpeace was rammed by US Navy vessels.^[2]. In late 1993 crew aboard the ship exposed Russian ships dumping 900 tonnes of liquid radioactive waste into the Sea of Japan.^[3] Protests against the resumption of French nuclear testing in French Polynesia followed in 1995. During this time the vessel was boarded and detained by French police in international waters.^[4]

The Greenpeace was replaced in 2001 by the MY Esperanza.^[5]. She has since been reconverted to her original form as the Elbe and is now a museum ship in Rotterdam.^[6]