Photo: screenshot from video
SEATTLE- A 400-foot-long offshore oil drilling rig pulled by tugs arrived in Seattle Thursday afternoon, despite environmentalists’ protests and the city’s opposition to letting it dock here.
The Polar Pioneer arrived in Elliott Bay at about 1:50 p.m. after a 12-hour journey from Port Angeles. It made its way through the Duwamish River toward Harbor Island and docked at Terminal 5 around 5 p.m.
The Polar Pioneer is one of two drill rigs petroleum giant Royal Dutch Shell plans to park at leased space from Maritime Foss at the Port of Seattle, where it will load its Arctic drilling rigs and other vessels with supplies and personnel. It is preparing to explore for oil this summer in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s northwest coast.
Shell’s plans created a showdown not just with environmentalists but also with the city of Seattle. Mayor Ed Murray says a new permit is needed for the rigs to dock at Terminal 5, but Shell says current permits are sufficient.
Around three dozen protesters in kayaks – and a couple in a Native American canoe – paddled into Elliott Bay when the rig entered Seattle, holding signs that said “sHellNo.org Arctic Drilling = Climate Chaos” and “Shell No Seattle Loves The Arctic.” A dozen people on shore also joined the protest, holding signs that read “W. Seattle Says sHello No! Arctic Drilling” and “Chief Seattle Is Watching” with an image of Chief Sealth.
There was also a lot of security. On hand were members from the Coast Guard, King County Sheriff’s Office, Seattle police, along Bainbridge Island and Snohomish County fire departments in case anyone fell into the cold water. Foss Maritime is hiring its own private security.
According to the rules, water protesters must stay 500 yards from the Polar Pioneer while its moving and 100 yards from it when it’s docked. Coast Guard officials say they take these rules very seriously.
“Conditions on Elliott Bay can be very, very dangerous,” said George Degener, U.S. Coast Guard.. “And we want people to know that we encourage them to express their First Amendment rights and exercise that voice. At the same time, we want to make sure they go home safely as well.”
More protests are planned for Monday, but afterwards more could pop up anytime. And law enforcement is prepared for any aimed at the Polar Pioneer.