Captain's log

Tuesday 13TH JUNE 12:00

Rainbow Warrior left Prince's Wharf in Auckland bound for Matauri Bay to pay respects to and receive the blessing of the local Maori people who act as custodians to the site where the first Rainbow Warrior lies. It's a fitting destination before the new Rainbow Warrior sets off for Moruroa, the Pacific atoll where France is about to resume the testing of nuclear weapons.

13 June 0800

We arrived at Matauri Bay and were welcomed aboard the Maori elders and community leaders. The welcome and blessing of our ship and voyage was very moving. To take part in the Maori custom and culture was an honour for all of us. We left Matauri be at midday and prior to commencing our long sea passage paid our own personal respects to the sunken Rainbow Warrior by sailing over where she lies. We go to Moruroa to bear witness on behalf of the international community and protest at the continuing arrogance and stupidity of man. The decision by France was expected, but we are angered nonetheless. What right do they have in the face of international opposition to proliferate and test weapons of mass destruction many thousands of miles from France? Would the French people allow atomic testing on the French mainland?

We have nine different nationalities on board: British, French, Fijian, American, Dutch, Italian, New Zealander, Australian, and Solomon Islander. Work on board is varied. All Greenpeace ships have a highly qualified core of people on the bridge, in the radio room, and the engine room. Some new crew crew are inexperienced in life on board ships but receive on board training. The one common goal of all of us is to fight for a better, cleaner environment.

15 June 1200

With a near gale force westerly wind, the Rainbow Warrior under reefed jib, fore, main, and mizzen was making seven and a half knots on her easterly course. A P-3 Orion aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force paid us a friendly visit and wished us good sailing. During the day the crew were engaged in cleaning ship, keeping watches, and other shipboard activities. The campaigners have been non-stop on the ship's telephone talking to the international media explaining the reasons why Rainbow Warrior is on her way to Moruroa. Night is now upon us. The sky a blaze of stars. The Rainbow Warrior moves further east.

16 June 1000

We have all recovered from a severe stormy night. With westerly winds gusting gale force and sea swell four meters deep it was very uncomfortable for all of us. The ship took quite a battering being thrown around like a cork and all those on board felt like peas in a jar. At 0500 this morning it was decided to start the main engines and run to the northeast to clear the worst effects of the storms which approach from the west. With the combined main engine and sail we are achieving a speed of nearly ten knots towards our destination.

16 June 1400

The Rainbow Warrior is now making a good ten knots under one engine and full sail. Wind is still steady westerly, force seven with heavy swell. She is more comfortable now than twelve hours ago and all on board are recovering from the earlier battering by the elements. I can now sit comfortably in my cabin and continue the log of life on board. People will ask what our reaction was when we heard the announcement by President Chirac on the morning of 14 June. We were not surprised but felt anger, which increased our determination to bear witness at Moruroa Atoll.

The equipment we have on board Rainbow Warrior is designed for the various campaigns Greenpeace addresses. The inflatable boats and crews are the symbol of the organization known by the international community. We have various sized boats and outboard engines for different roles. Our communications center has all the latest equipment for instant communication to anywhere in the world within seconds. Thom our Radio Operator is a computer/electronics whizz kid. For Greenpeace, communications is an important aspect of the organization's strength. On this voyage and at Moruroa, thousands of miles away for the most part from inhabited land masses, these communication tools are more important than ever.

A little about myself. Born in 1942, in Cardiff, South Wales, my family and I moved to live in the east end of London in 1947. From an early age, I and my brother were taught the values of living in a community where respect and caring for all was of prime importance. These values came from our parents who believed fervently in 'living socialism' as well as 'political socialism'.

At the age of seventeen, I went to sea as an officer cadet in the Merchant Navy and obtained my master's foreign going certificate at the age of twenty-eight. I spent five years working in Kenya and Tanzania as a harbour master and pilot. I returned to the U.K. in 1976. In 1983 I was sent to Vanuatu by the British government as Director of Ports and Marine. I was responsible to the government of Vanuatu for all marine matters within the republic.

It was in June, 1985 that I became directly involved with the original Rainbow Warrior during her stay in Port Vila. Later, I heard that she had been bombed in Auckland Harbour. It was then I made a conscious decision to give my time and experience to the organization. I joined Greenpeace in 1988 and have been involved in various campaigns in the Mediterranean, United States, Northwest Europe, and now the Pacific. As well, I have been actively involved in the U.K over the past twenty-five years with CND - the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament - so this voyage in very important to me personally.

I live in the U.K. at Frinton on Sea, Essex with my wife Janet, three sons and one daughter.

Warm Regards - David Enever