Shell's Arctic Oil Rig Leaves Seattle as Kayaktivists Warn of Disaster

"Activists argue oil drilling in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea takes US in wrong direction on combatting climate change and ignores environmental difficulties of region".

"After a final protest by kayak-paddling activists, Shell’s deep-sea oil drilling rig left the port of Seattle on Monday morning, headed for Alaska’s Chukchi Sea – and, environmentalists say, towards imminent disaster.

Called the Polar Pioneer, the ship arrived in Seattle in mid-May, shortly after the Obama administration’s controversial approval of exploratory oil drilling in the Arctic. It soon drew a fleet of “kayaktivists” whose colorful blockades turned the 400ft-long, 300ft-tall colossus into a symbol of Arctic drilling.

On Monday morning, after receiving news of the Polar Pioneer’s planned departure, 16 kayaktivists gathered before dawn. Two hours later they were pulled from the water by the US Coast Guard, and tugboats pulled the Polar Pioneer out to sea."

Brandon Keim and Terry Macalister report for the Guardian June 15, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Kayak Protesters Detained After Trying To Stop Shell Rig" (AP)

"Big Shell Rig Leaves Seattle To a Floating Protest" (KOMO)