Police board Greenpeace ship

The Greenpeace Ship Rainbow Warrior has been boarded by police in an attempt to move it from its blockade of Marchwood Military Port on Southampton water.

The Royal Navy spokesman said 21 police officers from the Hampshire and Ministry of Defence forces boarded the Rainbow Warrior at 10pm from the Admiralty tug Powerful.

He said the objective of the operation was to either gain control of the ship and put a pilot on board or attach lines to the tug which would then drag the Rainbow Warrior away.

He said the vessel would than be taken to "a place of safety at a berth in Southampton's commercial port".

He added: "We have given the Rainbow Warrior ample opportunity to follow the directives under the terms of the Merchant Shipping Act. Their clear intention was to stay where they were."

He said the action was proportionate to the offences committed by the Rainbow Warrior and justifiable in the circumstances.

He added that the supply ship Dart 8 would now be able to leave the port.

A spokesman for Greenpeace Rob Gueterbock, who is on board the Warrior, said none of the crew had been arrested by police who now had control of most of the ship except for the bridge.

He said: "We have no intention of opening our doors to allow the police in."

But he conceded it was likely the authorities could now use the tug to drag Rainbow Warrior away from its position as soon as they managed to cut her anchor.

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