Greenpeace activists hangs from a bridge in Portland to block Shells arctic vessel

       Protesters hanging from the bridge with the Fennica in a distance  (C)SteveDipaola/Greenpeace

A group of Greenpeace environmental activists were seen hanging off a bridge in Portland, in an attempt to block a key vessel in Shell’s Arctic drilling fleet, leaving the city’s port. According to Greenpeace, 13 of its climbers were hanging off St Johns bridge and had enough supplies to last days in their attempt to hinder Shell’s Arctic drilling plans, with another 13 people assisting them.

Some protesters in Kayaks

                   The Royal Dutch Shell Icebreaker                 (C)DonRyan/AP

The Royal Dutch Shell icebreaker (The Fennica) must be at Shell’s drill site before workers can drill deep enough for oil because it has a capping stack, a key piece of safety equipment, on board. A capping stack is required because it can stop oil leaks if a well blows out.
However, after the interventions of authorities, the Fennica was able to make its way down the Willamette River towards the Pacific Ocean.
It was reported that several protesters in kayaks moved toward the center of the river as the ship began its trip, but authorities in boats and personal watercraft cleared a narrow pathway for the Fennica.

                            Six of the activist on the bridge                   (C)Greenpeace

Sgt. Pete Simpson, a Portland police spokesman, said "a number of people" were detained and it was still being determined whether any would face charges.