Rammed, Dunked, Arrested – Shell to Sea Flotilla take on Shell’s Thug Fleet in Sunset Action
The Shell to Sea Flotilla took to the waves in Broadhaven Bay this evening towards sunset in an attempt to foil winching preparations in advance of the pipe-laying ship the Solitaire’s arrival possibly sometime soon. The intrepid S2S Flotilla were opposed in their mission by Shell’s fleet of security mercenaries, Gardaí, and the Irish Naval service, which were deployed in overwhelming numbers and in an aggressive, deliberately un-safety-conscious manner. Seven S2S marine protestors were arrested and taken to Belmullet Garda station. In a simultaneous action at the gates of the Shell Glengad compound a local man was arrested and taken to Belmullet Garda station. An earlier marine S2S sortie successfully held up shore-based dredging operations in the Glengad compound this afternoon for about two hours; there were no arrests that time.
Related Links: Shell to Sea Coverage on Indymedia.ie | Glengad, Mayo - July 29th | Shell & Gardaí Force Community from Glengad Beach | Shell halted as Shell to Sea '8' are illegally detained + Video of Event | Audio Interview with S2S activists after weekend trip down | Rossport Solidarity Camp Returns to Glengad with a Fresh Call Out for Action
This evening’s S2S marine action was launched in response to the arrival of the winching platform being towed into position and being made ready. As a prelude to operations, a delegation of five people in four kayaks went forth to the Shell Fleet to attempt a parley. The Shell side were insincere in their parley for they immediately commenced offensive operations against the S2S Flotilla delegation. After being harassed by nearly all of Shell’s vessels, the delegation made it back to shore and the Solidarity Camp, where it was decided to go out and attempt action against winching preparations.
The following timeline of events is taken from the Shell to Sea Flotilla log (with some additions from photo timestamps):
19:52 | S2S delegation in kayaks set out to attempt parley with Shell’s fleet. |
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19:58 | All Shell Thug Fleet vessels bar four heading to kayak delegation |
20:04 | After being chased by opposition kayak delegation make for beach and Camp. |
20:08 | Kayak delegation returns to shore and Camp. Decision made then to launch action. |
20:20 | Launch |
20:24 | Group head over land toward compound |
20:28 | Garda boat has kayak. |
20:31 | Garda capsize S2S boat. Occupant pushed into water. Garda take kayak. |
20:33 | Garda jumps into water. Lasso – S2S person picked up. |
20:39 | 3 boats surround dinghy; it evades. Occupant then dumped in water – attempts to swim away; Gardaí go in after him (this person was taken by Gardai some minutes later). |
20:44 | 3 other S2S marine activists arrested in 5-minute period. Observations confirmed at this point that all Shell ‘safety’ boats have Garda personnel on board – Shell effectively have no safety boats – all Shell vessels are hostile. S2S safety boat the Florence Nightingale withdraws under threat of ramming by Gardaí. 2 S2S vessels withdraw from action. |
20:48 | 4 ribs go for S2S dinghy – 2 Gardaí jump in and take person. |
20:50 | Another dinghy assaulted by Shell Fleet. Occupant rammed and tossed into water – 2 Gardaí jump in after him. |
20:55 | Remaining S2S Flotilla boats move inshore. |
21:07 | Last S2S boat makes shore. |
21:10 | Last of shore-based group return from compound over land to Solidarity Camp. |
The seizure of the S2S Michael Davitt - 2