The newest ship in the Greenpeace fleet of three vessels, the MV Esperanza, berthed in Cape Town on Wednesday afternoon after hours of delay.
Greenpeace representative Sara Holden said the Esperanza which had been ”sitting out in the bay since 9.30am” docked about 3.30pm.
Holden said: ”Port control arranged another berth as the harbour was full.
”My understanding is that the berth we booked was still occupied when we arrived, but nevertheless we got another berth and we are happy to be docked.”
The MV Esperanza’s crew of 26 would be campaigning in South Africa for the duration of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
They aimed to remind heads of government of what the focus of the summit should be. Holden declined to say what action Greenpeace planned.
”I would like to give you some idea of what we have planned but I will not do so,” Holden said.
The 72-metre Esperanza, launched in February 2002, is the largest vessel in the Greenpeace fleet and replaced the MV Greenpeace. She has a top speed of 18 knots and is ideal for fast and long-range work.
A new helicopter deck has been added to the vessel as well as special boat cranes to launch Greenpeace inflatables. – Sapa