From: Greenpeace vessel MV Solo tracking Pacific Pintail
Date: THU 6-APR-95 18:58:00 GMT - DAY 43, PART II

NUCLEAR WASTE SHIP STEAMS THROUGH PACIFIC AS HAWAIIAN AND IRISH OPPOSITION GROWS

http://www.greenpeace.org/~comms/43.html (Einblicke ins Internet, 10/1995)

The Pacific Pintail's position (1900 GMT) is 02 degrees 27 minutes North, and 143 degrees and 47 minutes West. The Pintail's course is 307 degrees and the ship's speed is 14.5 knots. For distances to Pacific Islands please see enclosed table.

While the Pacific Pintail is approaching Hawaii, the Hawaiian population is starting to speak out against the shipment of radioactive waste, now some 5 days away from their coasts. On March 31, a state-wide meeting of 314 delegates to the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) passed a resolution against the radioactive waste shipment. The teachers union protest, which follows previous trade union opposition to the shipment of radioactive waste in Brazil, Chile and South Africa, urges Pacific officials to oppose the shipment of nuclear waste through the Pacific U.S. territorial waters.

Trade unions have long protested against the transport of radioactive wastes. In 1990, the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) formally spoke out against all trade and shipment of radioactive waste. Greenpeace encourages national unions to continue to voice their opposition to plutonium and radioactive waste shipments, and calls on their international umbrella organizations to voice their protests at the annual UN International Labour Organization's meeting (ILO).

The Pacific Pintail is currently allowed to call on Hawaiian ports in case of emergency or for repairs. It is still unclear if the Pacific Pintail will follow a course North or South of the Hawaiian Islands.

Ireland is also facing the risk of nuclear pollution posed by the UK's plutonium reprocessing factory Sellafield as well as increasing radioactive waste transports through its waters. The Irish Minister of State Mr. Eamon Gilmore TD announced on April 5th a number of measures which the Irish Government will be taking to control the movement of nuclear ships in the Irish Sea.

Mr. Gilmore announced that he will be actively seeking support from other countries to strengthen existing international maritime regulations that govern the transport of radioactive wastes. He sited requirements to notify and consult with coastal states prior to a journey such as that of the Pacific Pintail, the provision of more specific information in relation to the journey and cargo, restriction and exclusion of certain routes for these hazardous shipments and the development of more effective methods of safety planning and inspection as areas to pursue.

Direction and distances of the radioactive waste shipment with the Pacific Pintail to some of Pacific Island States. The Pacific Pintail sails per day a distance of approximately 330 nautical miles.

Pacific State City/Island Distance/Direction relative to PP's course

Hawaii Honolulu 1,410 miles, 10 degrees right of PP
Islas Marquisas Ua-Huka 730 miles, 150 degrees left of PP
Tahiti Papeete 1,250 miles, 115 degrees left of PP
Kiribati Bairiki 2,610 miles, 35 degrees left of PP
Nauru Nauru Island 2,980 miles, 40 degrees left of PP
Western Samoa Apia 1,940 miles, 65 degrees left of PP
American Samoa Pago Pago 1,900 miles, 65 degrees left of PP
Tonga Nuku'Alofa 2,295 miles, 75 degrees left of PP
Tuvalu Funafuti 2,340 miles, 50 degrees left of PP
Fiji Suva 2,570 miles, 65 degrees left of PP
Solomon Isl. Honiara 3,470 miles, 45 degrees left of PP
Vanuatu Palikulo Bay 3,130 miles, 55 degrees left of PP
F.S. Micronesia Pohnpei 3,510 miles, 30 degrees left of PP
Marshall Isl. Bikini 3,090 miles, 25 degrees left of PP
Guam Guam 4,310 miles, 25 degrees left of PP

Countries along possible shipping routes should prohibit these highly dangerous radioactive transports from their jurisdictional waters. Greenpeace has prepared a legal paper that evaluates international law applicable to the passage of vessels carrying highly radioactive cargo. This paper "The Right to Control Passage of Nuclear Transport Vessels Under International Law" is available from Greenpeace International, or via the Internet as a hypertext document: http://www.xs4all.nl/~duncanc/nuk-law.html

For additional information on the Pacific Pintail's voyage or it's cargo of plutonium waste, contact Bas Bruyne on the Solo (phone: ++872-1301166--WARNING $10 PER MINUTE), or Karen Richardson at Greenpeace UK (phone: ++44-171-226-3151). Photo, video, or other media requests to Blair Palese at Greenpeace Communications (phone: ++44-171-833-0600).

Best regards and No Nukes!
Ulf Birgander (Captain)
Bas Bruyne (Campaigner)

From: Greenpeace vessel MV Solo tracking Pacific Pintail
Date: THU 6-APR-95 18:58:00 GMT - DAY 43, PART II

NUCLEAR WASTE SHIP STEAMS THROUGH PACIFIC AS HAWAIIAN AND IRISH OPPOSITION GROWS

Direction and distances of the radioactive waste shipment with the Pacific Pintail to some of Pacific Island States. The Pacific Pintail sails per day a distance of approximately 330 nautical miles.