BNFL plea for safe protest from Greenpeace

British Nuclear Fuels today appealed to Greenpeace-led environmental activists to protest in a “safe and responsible manner” after two ships carrying radioactive material entered the Irish Sea.

The company confirmed the ships carrying the plutonium fuel back from Japan entered the sea this morning and said they would complete their 18,000-mile journey by arriving at Barrow-in-Furness, near Sellafield in Cumbria at about 9am tomorrow.

A fleet of up to 20 protesting boats, led by Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior, are in the south of the Irish Sea to highlight what they describe as the “dangers of nuclear material”.

Captain Malcolm Miller, head of BNFL’s Marine Transport business said he recognised that “individuals and groups have the right to peacefully and lawfully protest about our activities”.

“I would call upon anyone wishing to protest to do so in a safe and responsible manner,” he said.

“I very much welcome the public assurances repeatedly given by Greenpeace that they will not interfere with the safe navigation of our ships.

“I hope they will be true to their word and that other members of the Greenpeace-organised flotilla will also respect the rules of the sea.”