PIRACY TODAY BLOG
That has happened lately to us at MV Iceberg 1 Mariners Action Group. We've had some new watch mates tail onto the rope and begin to pull vigorously! Let's take time to meet some of the folks who have decided to help tackle our daunting, some might say impossible, task: to free these prisoners.
These generous souls have taken up the cause in more than words. They've signed the petition, blogged about Mariners Action Group on their websites and spoken up in public. Their support is living action. We'd like to recognize and thank them now:
Barista Uno, seaman and author of the excellent, well-known Marine Cafe Blog has offered to run ads for the MAG and to help bring attention to the petition.
Influential maritime blogger Manu, the author of the fine blogs Manu's Scripts, Manu's News, and Postcards from Styx, and also a former sea captain with broad experience in the maritime world, has joined the MAG and signed the petition. You can read about his conflicted emotions as he did so, because, as he says, "I don't like petitions".
Hennie la Grange, of International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) featured MV Iceberg 1 in a blog post, and joined the MAG. They are praying for the MV Iceberg 1 captives, too.
Christina Sun, a gifted artist and maritime activist who has done great work chronicling the rich maritime world of New York harbor, joined, signed the petition, spoke up publicly about MV Iceberg 1 at an NAMEPA Safety at Sea seminar, and is creating a logo for the MAG. Don't miss her site here.
Each one of these people saw a chance to push for change in the terrible status quo the MV Iceberg 1 prisoners have fallen into.
It may seem almost impossible that we, as fellow seamen, can make any difference in their lot. When did the world ever listen to seamen? We're not an influential group. But that doesn't mean we should give up and abandon them to their fate and to the actions of the powerful interests. I think we seamen have something to say, too, and we should say it.
So please have a look at the petition, and add your name! As Manu noted: "In any case, you have nothing to lose if you sign except your cynicism."