Parade Of Sail

international | environment | event notice Friday September 24, 2004 21:51 by keith - ISNFF

Dublin Bay 1400hrs. Sunday October 3rd 2004

To express the concern of the public and the Irish government, and also to show solidarity with the flotilla in Cherbourg, the ISNFF are organising a Parade-Of-Sail on Sunday the 3rd of October.

Parade of Sail

The Irish Sea Nuclear Free Flotilla came together in August 2002 as an expression of public concern in regard to the dangers of shipping plutonium across the oceans of the world and, more specifically, the passage of these shipments through the Irish Sea to Sellafield. Twenty yachts, and their crews, carried their protest 50 miles south of Carnsore, and also to Barrow-In-Furness, the BNFL ships’ destination.

These simple acts created massive media coverage of these transports, and highlighted the potential dangers to the public and the environment. This was achieved by a small group of motivated sailors.

Those ships have not left port again - until three weeks ago, when they departed Charleston, USA, toward Cherbourg, France laden with an inadequately guarded cargo of weapons-grade plutonium, to be converted to MOX fuel for use in US reactors. This is only the first of many such shipments, should they continue unpublicised and unhindered by public opinion. It is planned to re-process 34 tons of this nuclear waste, at 134Kg per cargo, in casks that would not even protect the contents from attack by a handheld rocket propelled grenade (RPG).

Up to 70 yachts are expected to take part in protesting the arrival of the Pacific Pintail and the Pacific Teal in Cherbourg on the 3rd October. Famous mariners Eugune Riguidel and Joe Le Guen will be taking part in these actions.

To express the concern of the public and the Irish government, and also to show solidarity with the flotilla in Cherbourg, the ISNFF are organising a Parade-Of-Sail on Sunday the 3rd of October.

Boats of all description are requested to join the flotilla during the following itinerary, as weather and conditions allow. Banners, flags and pennants may be available (see contacts below for details).

Sunday 3rd October:
1300Hrs Arrive Dublin Bay.
1400Hrs Assemble at Poolbeg Lighthouse, East Wall.
1410Hrs Proceed up the Liffey, keeping to the south side of the river.
1500Hrs Eastlink bridge lift, and proceed up river.
1515Hrs Parade-Of –Sail, with Speakers and Musicians on City Quay.