Cargo of hope heads for Nauru

Lynda Smith

In their second week at sea, from the South Bellona Reef 500 miles north-west of Brisbane, the seven-person crew of the Flotillas of Hope expressed their ongoing gratitude to all who continue to support them and their desire to be allowed to land on Nauru to deliver their "cargo of hope" to asylum seekers detained on the island.

Safety checks and repairs were carried out at the reef, as the crew enjoyed welcome relief from the 30 knot winds and surging 10-metre waves before setting off for the next leg of the journey to Santa Cruz.

Just two days out from Brisbane, a crew member was thrown to the deck during the early hours of the morning when the steering cable snapped.

The Nauruan government remains firm that it will not allow the vessels to enter into its 12-mile limit and continues its threats of vessel impoundment, heavy fines and prison as well as imposing a suspension of the "right of innocent passage" as determined by the international law of the sea.

The crew ask that supporters lobby for permission for them to land, even for just one day, to meet with asylum seekers and deliver gifts to them.

[Lynda Smith is the national media coordinator for the Flotillas of Hope. For further information visit <http://www.flotilla2004.com>.]

From Green Left Weekly, June 9, 2004.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 585