Rainbow Warrior

Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior is more than just a ship — it's a symbol of global environmental activism.

The name 'Rainbow Warrior' comes from a Native American prophecy about warriors of the rainbow who will come to defend the Earth when it is most in peril. Greenpeace adopted this as a symbol of hope and environmental guardianship.

The first Rainbow Warrior (1978-1985)

The first Rainbow Warrior became famous for anti-whaling and anti-nuclear protests.

Originally a fishing trawler, the first Rainbow Warrior became globally famous for physically placing itself between whaling ships and whales thus preventing harpoons from being fired. These dramatic confrontations were some of Greenpeace’s first high-profile direct actions.

The vessel Was sunk by French intelligence agents in 1985 while docked in Auckland, New Zealand, during a protest against French nuclear testing &emdas; a tragic event that led to the death of photographer Fernando Pereira.

Rainbow Warrior II (1989-2011)

The second Rainbow Warrior helped create the momentum that led to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.

The ship exposed the illegal dumping of toxic waste and hazardous materials into the sea by corporations and governments.

It sailed around Europe and Africa documenting and stopping toxic shipments.

Also Rainbow Warrior II protested against overfishing.

Rainbow Warrior III (2011-present)

The third Rainbow Warrior is a purpose-built eco-ship that runs on wind power with a hybrid engine.

he ship was heavily involved in campaigns to save ancient forests in Indonesia and the Amazon, working with indigenous communities.

Rainbow Warrior III has been central to climate actions, blocking coal shipments, oil platforms, and other fossil fuel operations. It plays a role in climate justice campaigns, supporting frontline communities.

How Rainbow Warrior III is equipped today

• Wind-Powered Sails
• It's designed as a modern sailing ship, using wind as the main propulsion to minimize fossil fuel use.
• Can sail using wind alone under the right conditions.
• Hybrid Engine
• Has a highly efficient diesel-electric engine for when sailing isn't possible.
• Optimized to reduce emissions compared to conventional engines.
• Advanced Wastewater Treatment
• Treats all wastewater on board, making sure nothing pollutes the ocean.
• Energy-Efficient Design
• Solar panels and efficient energy systems supply power to onboard equipment.
• LED lighting and eco-friendly materials throughout.
• State-of-the-art Communications
• The ship is a floating media hub
• Journalists, activists, and scientists can live-stream, edit, and distribute content globally right from the ship
• Helicopter Deck used for aerial documentation and fast logistics during campaigns
• Laboratories
• Onboard labs allow Greenpeace to take scientific samples and provide evidence during environmental investigations

To summarize, Rainbow Warrior is basically a sailing spaceship for planet Earth — designed by Greenpeace to be not just a protest vessel but also a symbol of sustainable technology and hope.

Image(s) from Greenpeace