EVERETT — Royal Dutch Shell’s oil-drilling ship moved out of the Port of Everett early Tuesday morning, headed for Alaskan waters to explore for Arctic oil.
Protestors in kayaks, tugs and law enforcement boats escorted the Noble Discoverer into Port Gardner before sunrise.
Five of about 20 protesters were detained and cited by authorities for coming within 500 yards of the ship after they launched from Mukilteo.
Before the Noble Discoverer or Shell’s drilling platform, the Polar Pioneer, came to Puget Sound earlier this year, federal authorities created a safety zone around the vessels, requiring others to stay 100 yards back when the vessels are stationary and 500 yards away when they are moving.
The drill ship and platform are at the center of Shell’s controversial plan to explore waters off Alaska for oil. Opponents have staged several protests, most in Everett and Seattle. Shell used the two ports to stage its Arctic exploration efforts this summer.
The “Shell no” protest campaign is trying to tip public opinion against the company’s Arctic drilling plans, which opponents say threatens to damage fragile wilderness areas and contribute to potentially harmful climate change.
The company has said in public statements that it is acting responsibly and carefully.
Starting this month, Shell proposes to drill up to four exploration wells over two years in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s coast.
Vessels from Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Everett Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard escorted the Noble Discoverer out of Everett on Tuesday.
“At the end of the day, safety was our top priority,” said Lt. Dana Warr, a spokesman for Coast Guard District 13 in Seattle.
The Coast Guard issued 24 citations when the Polar Pioneer left Seattle two weeks ago.
A first offense carries a $500 fine. A second can be as high as $2,500.
Four protesters were also cited in Bellingham for chaining themselves to a Shell support ship in late May. One woman spent about two and a half days chained to the ship.
Those fines can be as high as $40,000 for each day, Warr said.
That means the woman faces up to $120,000 in fines.
She can appeal the fine through a third-party hearing official, which would be handled by the Coast Guard’s Arlington office, he said.
Overall, the activists have been careful and cooperative in their protests, even when detained by Coast Guardsmen, he said. “They listened to and respected the boarding parties. We appreciate that.”
At least seven Shell ships have spent time at the Port of Everett this year, said Lisa Lefeber, the port’s spokeswoman.
They could be back at the end of the summer, but port officials do not yet know for certain, she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
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