Energy company Essent's coal plant in Eemshaven, the Netherlands has the dubious honor of being the first action target of the new Rainbow Warrior.
We pulled into Eemshaven today to demand construction stop on the biggest and most polluting power plant in the Netherlands, ironically set amid dozens of wind turbines in one of the windiest places in the country.
New Hands on Deck Harmony and Pablo helped make sure the message was clear by rigging a banner to the Rainbow Warrior calling for "Clean Energy Now."
CEO Peter Terium of Essent was invited to visit the ship, but did not turn up.
Rolf Schipper, climate and energy campaigner for Greenpeace Netherlands said: "This ship is driven by super-efficient electric motors and sails that set a standard for sustainable shipping. It will be powered by the wind. We ask Essent to be inspired by this example and do more to further clean energy."
Greenpeace Netherlands' director Sylvia Borren delivered a petition and was joined on the heli deck by representatives of local groups opposed to the plant as well as Greenpeace International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo.
The deputy mayor of Borkum, an island downwind from the plant, expressed his concerns about the air pollution that will result and the health and economic impacts on his home.
Our next destination is Amsterdam, where the ship will be in port from October 29 to November 5.
Keep up to date on the Maiden voyage by "Liking" the New Hands on Deck Facebook page. Catch our web video series "Stories from the Rainbow Warrior" and see the maiden voyage through the eyes of our newest activists, the New Hands on Deck follow their updates on Facebook and Twitter and Flickr.