New Greenpeace ‘Rainbow Warrior’ flagship in Southport this weekend

The new Greenpeace "Rainbow Warrior" flagship will be in Southport this weekend. The custom-built vessel has recently arrived from Europe and is one of the most advanced sailing ships in the world.

Greenpeace

Greenpeace's "Rainbow Warrior" is visiting North Carolina to target local utility company Duke Energy, which Greenpeace says is holding the state back from developing clean energy and new jobs in the offshore wind industry. It will be open for tours in Southport this weekend.

The ship will be open for public tours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, and again on Sunday, Feb. 12.

This is the third "Rainbow Warrior" ship in Greenpeace history. The first was bombed by the French Navy in 1985. Over the past 40 years Greenpeace ships have been used in missions as diverse as blocking illegal timber shipments, confronting whalers, and conducting scientific research in the Arctic.

The ship is visiting North Carolina to target local utility company Duke Energy, which Greenpeace says is holding the state back from developing clean energy and new jobs in the offshore wind industry. Greenpeace officials claim Duke operates some of the most polluting coal fired power stations in the state in places like Gaston County (Riverbend Steam Station) and Catawba County (Marshall Steam Station).

Students from the University of North Carolina Wilmington will volunteer during the weekend to promote the use of renewable energy brought in their home state. Students plan to launch a new campaign from the ship calling on UNCW to move to 100 percent renewable energy.

After Southport, the "Rainbow Warrior" will visit and Ft Lauderdale and St. Petersburg before heading to Brazil for the UN “Earth Summit” in Rio de Janeiro in June.

The ship will be anchored in the Cape Fear River with free shuttle boat service provided from the Southport Yacht Basin. Please wear closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.