Greenpeace activists arrested by U.S. Coast Guard officials during protest against Shell drilling plans offshore Alaska. Photo courtesy of Greenpeace.
SEATTLE, June 16 (UPI) -- Fourteen activists from Greenpeace were arrested by federal authorities during a protest against Shell's arctic Alaska program off the coast of Seattle.
Activists took to kayaks to protest against Shell's use of the Port of Seattle as a staging ground for summer plans to drill off the coast of Alaska. Shell is proposing as many as six wells in a region known as the Burger prospect, located in shallow waters, using the Noble Discoverer and Polar Pioneer rigs.
The Greenpeace activists were part of a larger group of around 50 protestors. Each of the Greenpeace activists were released and issued citations of $250.
"Every minute that brave protesters can delay Shell's Arctic drilling plans is another chance for President Obama to reconsider his disastrous approval of oil drilling in Alaska," Annie Leonard, executive director of Greenpeace United States, said in a statement.
Shell's multibillion-dollar campaign for Alaska was hit by various equipment setbacks in 2012. In a statement on its website, the company said it has a commitment to protect the environment.
Activists counter the company has no viable plan to respond to an oil spill should one occur in the arctic waters off the Alaskan coast. With federal approval in hand, Shell said it may start its drilling campaign as early as this summer.
In 2012, seven Greenpeace activists, including actress Lucy Lawless, were removed from the Noble Discoverer drill ship and arrested by New Zealand authorities. Greenpeace activists earlier this year scaled Polar Pioneer using climbing gear to protest against its Alaskan campaign.
There was no comment from Shell or lead authorities in Seattle on the Alaska protests.
