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Greenpeace protestors make their first attempt to get round the French maritime police.

Last weekend saw a shocking attack on the French AC boat Le Defi Areva . This event and the subsequent interview with Le Defi crewman Tim Kroger has provoked many of you to write in with your views on the situation, little of which is sympathetic to Greenpeace.

Dave Pierce
Greenpeace must not realise that nuclear power is one of the cleanest forms of energy available to modern man. The use of nuclear energy saves us from burning coal! Burning wood in a fireplace is even more damaging to the environment, because you lose trees, and you introduce air pollution into the atmosphere. Secondly, by attacking sailing, Greenpeace is attacking a sport that promotes environmentalism as much as any other outdoor sport. It is too bad Greenpeace cannot get the big picture when it comes to environmentalism

Good point, but Dave has overlooked the small matter of what to do with nuclear waste and some of the rather large scale environmental issues when nuclear reactors break, such as Chernobyl.

Matt Critchley
Regardless of the politics concerning French use of nuclear power, Greenpeace and others should have known better. After all only a few years ago, they were the ones complaining of French naval piracy! I say, string them up by the yardarm!

It should not be forgotten that underlying all this is the Rainbow Warrior incident, when in 1985 this Greenpeace vessel was blow up by French agents. At the time she was about to lead a flotilla of ships from New Zealand to the French Polynesian atoll of Moruroa, where the French government were carrying out nuclear tests. The bombing, carried out by French agents, resulted in the death of Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira. For what it's worth - Areva are not involved with military applications.

Kim Vasey
The damage is unfortunate, but the French consistently ignore the laws regarding Nuclear testing in the South Pacific. Accepting a sponsor of this type does not do yachting any favours, as a supposed Green sport, nor should the sport in general be condoning the French behaviour. They need to be told that what they are doing is wrong, and if this helps then its a good thing. It's unfortunate for the team, but then they new the risks in signing with such a sponsor.

Several observers on Saturday said they were amazed how naive both Le Defi and the local 'Affaires Maritimes' (marine police) were in assuming that an incident of this type wouldn't take place.

Christine Headey, Auckland, NZ
Absolutely appalling behaviour. Why don't the activists attack the sponsor Areva, after all the AC boat isn't exactly run on nuclear power now is it. Greenpeace are behaving like terrorists by punishing the innocent instead of concentrating their efforts on their "enemy", Areva. I can guarantee that this sort of behaviour by Greenpeace will lose them a lot of support from many yachties who are normally very environmentally aware like myself. Some of us might not support nuclear power but it doesn't give anyone the right to vandalism. I'm afraid Greenpeace won't be getting any more donations from me that's for sure, I think I'll switch my support to the late Sir Peter Blake's charity.

It would be nice to think that the actions on Saturday were not sanctioned by Greenpeace, but were carried out by a rogue faction. I guess we'll never know for sure. I'm with you on this one Christine

George Tinley
Disgraceful. I have always had some sympathy with Greenpeace, but never again. The guys must be really sick to act in the way they do. Good luck to the French, speedy repairs, and a good result. They deserve it. Why can't someone lock up the perpetrators?

La guillotine, peut-etre?

Denis Inman California, USA
I am from California, so this atrocity doesn't surprise me a bit. The Green(peace?) eco-terrorist group is infamous for their disregard of other humans and their property. These tree huggers have always used violent and disruptive means to draw attention to their delusional goals of preventing others from enjoying life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In my opinion these nature nazis should be put behind bars. This is not the way civilised people go about getting changes made.

Colin Strain
I didn't see it but all the accounts point to the fact that Greenpeace pulled a cowardly and pointless act that has backfired on them completely. I used to respect them, now I think they're just a bunch of criminals no better than the people against whom they protest. I think that sailors generally support their cause. But not as much after this. I've no problem with them disrupting the actions of people directly engaged in harming the environment. But all this team did was to accept sponsorship from someone that Greenpeace have on their hit list. That's not a good enough reason to damage their cause.

madforsailing would like to wish the French America's Cup team speedy repairs. Peter Harrison & co are waiting for you!!!

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