Arrests at ‘dangerous blockade’

Police have arrested and removed eight of the 19 Greenpeace protesters who have occupied the offshore supply vessel Skandi Atlantic in Timaru’s port since Sunday morning.

Although police confirmed the eight arrests, they did not have details of the charges, but a Greenpeace spokesperson said they had all been charged with trespass.

The eight – five men, two women and one non-binary – were driven away in three police cars and an unmarked vehicle from about 2.10pm yesterday.

The women could be seen making peace signs to supporters as they were driven away.

The eight people were removed at the request of the captain because of their placement on the ship (on the captain’s deck), according to Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Amanda Larsson.

She said police used angle grinders to cut the railings the protesters had locked themselves to and there were no plans, at this stage, to remove the remaining protesters.

Larsson said the protesters had spent a peaceful Sunday night camping on the vessel’s deck, while eight people had removed themselves from the protest.

‘‘The trespass notices were issued yesterday [Sunday] and the protesters have stood strong.

‘‘They are willing to risk arrest to be able to stop this ship from going off and supporting more oil and gas exploration,’’ Larsson said.

An OMV spokesperson said the company respected people’s right to protest but ‘‘a blockade of this kind is a dangerous action that puts people at risk’’.

‘‘This is a trespass situation aboard a vessel that is engaged in legitimate business as part of OMV’s legal permit obligations.’’