Ice forecast fails to deter Greenpeace

Press, 6 January 1987, Page 1

Ice forecast fails to deter Greenpeace

Thick pack ice predicted in Antarctica this summer has not deterred Greenpeace from another attempt to establish a base there.

In spite of ice forecasts which are “no better” than those which forced Greenpeace to abandon its last trip, the expedition’s leader, Mr Peter Wilkinson, is confident the decision to proceed is right. “We have more things going for us this time,” he said.

The 35-strong team had practised constructing the base camp while they were in Auckland and had reduced the time needed to three weeks.

“We have a helicopter capable of carrying 500 kg so we can start off-loading equipment from 20 nautical miles away,” he said. The helicopter used in last summer’s _ expedition was only used for icespotting and as a back-up. Greenpeace, a converted tug, came in for much criticism last year for its unsuitability in ice pack conditions. Mr Wilkinson said criticism was noticeably absent this year, but his group were well aware of the vessel’s limitations.

“We are not going down there to be heroes,” he said. “We would not put ourselves or the ship into a position we can’t handle. But we have done everything to give ourselves the best chance.” Criticism of private expeditions in Antarctica was also less evident this year, said Mr Wilkinson. “New Zealand is no longer opposed to private expeditions. Of course we recognise New Zealand has limited resources down there.

“The last thing we want to do is call on American or New Zealand personnel. We are an effective and responsible organisation.”

The main reason for establishing a base camp at Cape Evans was to focus world-wide attention on the threats to the natural environment in Antarctica. “We want to head-off the large-scale devastation of the environment which will inevitably occur with mining companies moving in.” Greenpeace will leave for the Antarctic today and should reach the outer ice pack within five or six days.