More on KentOnline
Greenpeace has hailed attempts by activists to stop a coal-carrying ship from docking at a power station as “very successful.”
Ten protesters were arrested in total and were still being questioned people by police today.
Four campaigners boarded a moving bulk freighter carrying coal to the controversial Kingsnorth Power Station on Sunday night, before scaling the vessel’s funnel and foremast.
Police say other protesters had entered the water in an effort to “impede” the vessel.
Greenpeace said three women, including mother-of-three Emma Gibson, from Whitstable, had swum out in front of the ship, while climbers were “hanging off the side.”
A stand-off between police and four protesters on the ship continued throughout Monday, during which Sarah Shoraka , speaking from the top of the mast, told medwaymessenger.co.uk “coal is the most climate-wrecking fuel there is.”
All four came down from the mast on Monday night, following negotiations with police and energy company E.ON, and were arrested on suspicion of maritime offences.
Police say six others were arrested yesterday and that the coal vessel did dock at the power station.
Greenpeace spokesman Ben Stewart, pictured, who was among those cleared of charges following last year’s protests at the same power station, said the principle aim of the operation was to physically prevent coal from being unloaded.
He said: “It was successful. They prevented coal from being unloaded for a whole day and the guys on it say they felt they got to have their say."
Full story in Friday's Medway Messenger