Greenpeace has relaunched the 24-metre Alu Marine sailing yacht Oceania following a two-month refit. The event was held at The Boat Works on Queensland's Gold Coast and attended by Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter, Greenpeace staff, volunteers, crew and all those involved in the refit project, including project manager Chapman.
The yacht will serve as a "purpose-designed environmental campaigning vessel" that will allow Greenpeace to amp up its activity across the Australia-Pacific.
"Our region's magnificent oceans face severe threats including offshore gas drilling, deep sea mining, overfishing, plastic pollution and climate damage," said Ritter. "The launch of Oceania creates a dynamic new capacity for Greenpeace to expose, document and peacefully confront these and other threats to the oceans in our region."
The all-aluminium ketch was delivered as Jaipur by French shipyard Alu Marine in 1999 and was sourced for Greenpeace by Captain Daniel Rizzotti, who discovered and trialled the yacht in Cannes.
Refit works involved the installation of the latest electronics and navigation equipment, a hardtop over the aft deck, alterations to the galley and accommodation and a new paint job that features doves, rainbows and the trademark shade "Greenpeace green".
Oceania has capacity for a crew of up to 11 and features environmentally conscious features, including four modern solar panels and the ability to sail primarily under wind. A lifting centreboard in place of a keel also allows the yacht to travel more efficiently and navigate shallow waters.
"Australia and the Pacific are some of the most beautiful and precious places on Earth, but also the most vulnerable," added Rizzotti. "The Oceania will be a beacon, a spotlight and a messenger. It means big polluters have nowhere to hide in our vast blue backyard. Its environmentally-friendly refit means we leave a small footprint doing big work."
Oceania will set sail next week for Broome, Western Australia, where it will support those campaigning against fossil fuel giant and largest oil and gas company in Australia, Woodside.