This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/kent/8112076.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Coal protesters board cargo ship Coal protesters board cargo ship
(30 minutes later)
Campaigners from Greenpeace have boarded a ship delivering coal to the Kingsnorth power station in Kent.Campaigners from Greenpeace have boarded a ship delivering coal to the Kingsnorth power station in Kent.
The vessel was targeted as it sailed up the River Medway, with reports of people swimming in front of the ship to stop it docking.The vessel was targeted as it sailed up the River Medway, with reports of people swimming in front of the ship to stop it docking.
The group, which is protesting against coal-fired power stations, climbed aboard from inflatable speedboats.The group, which is protesting against coal-fired power stations, climbed aboard from inflatable speedboats.
However, Kent Police said the vessel still managed to dock at Kingsnorth with some protesters still on board.However, Kent Police said the vessel still managed to dock at Kingsnorth with some protesters still on board.
Three men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, while another woman has been held on suspicion of endangering an aircraft. Six people have been arrested and four remain on the vessel, officers said.
Safety Protesters are being held on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage and having an unauthorised presence on a ship.
Earlier, officers also said a woman was being held on suspicion of endangering an aircraft.
'Dangerous environment'
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said: "Clearly we are dealing with a difficult and potentially dangerous situation."
He said the situation had been contained and police were on board the ship.
He added: "This is a working coal-carrying vessel and clearly a dangerous environment for anyone who hasn't been trained to work in it.
"Therefore we are monitoring the protesters' actions from a safe distance in order to minimise the risk to life."
Mr Beautridge said a number of protesters' ribs (rigid inflatable boats) were in the water at Kingsnorth and were also being monitored from a safe distance.
The ship was boarded at about 2250 BST on Sunday as it approached the power station near Hoo.The ship was boarded at about 2250 BST on Sunday as it approached the power station near Hoo.
On Monday morning, several campaigners remained on board, surrounded by officers. A Greenpeace spokesman said campaigners were aiming to try to hold their position for as long as they could to prevent coal from being unloaded.
A Greenpeace spokesman said: "There are still five campaigners on the ship so the protest is continuing. They are going to try and hold their position for as long as they can to prevent the coal from being unloaded, but the ship is surrounded with police."
Ch Supt Matthew said police were using all available resources to bring a safe conclusion to the incident.
He said: "There are no reports of any injuries at this time. Public safety is of paramount importance to the operation."
We will stay as long as we can to stop the coal being unloaded Campaigner Sarah ShorakaWe will stay as long as we can to stop the coal being unloaded Campaigner Sarah Shoraka
Emily Highmore, a spokeswoman for E.ON which owns Kingsnorth, said the campaigners' action was unacceptable.Emily Highmore, a spokeswoman for E.ON which owns Kingsnorth, said the campaigners' action was unacceptable.
She said: "We are trying to keep to business as usual as much as we possibly can, but the protesters are on the ship.She said: "We are trying to keep to business as usual as much as we possibly can, but the protesters are on the ship.
"What they have done in getting on to the ship was incredibly dangerous and clearly unacceptable from our point of view."What they have done in getting on to the ship was incredibly dangerous and clearly unacceptable from our point of view.
"We respect their right to protest but what they are doing is irresponsible and wrong, they have not got permission to be on-site.""We respect their right to protest but what they are doing is irresponsible and wrong, they have not got permission to be on-site."
She added: "We would like them to get off the boat. They are in a secure position, but the conditions are cold. Hopefully they will decide to come down of their own accord."She added: "We would like them to get off the boat. They are in a secure position, but the conditions are cold. Hopefully they will decide to come down of their own accord."
Ms Highmore said E.ON would be keeping a watching brief on the situation and reviewing whether it could unload the coal, but ample reserves were already on-site.Ms Highmore said E.ON would be keeping a watching brief on the situation and reviewing whether it could unload the coal, but ample reserves were already on-site.
Climate campClimate camp
Earlier, campaigner Sarah Shoraka, 31, who climbed the ship's foremast, said: "There are nine of us on the ship.Earlier, campaigner Sarah Shoraka, 31, who climbed the ship's foremast, said: "There are nine of us on the ship.
Nine campaigners climbed on to the coal ship using rope laddersNine campaigners climbed on to the coal ship using rope ladders
"We have split into three teams of three, with one team on foremast, another on the funnel and the third hanging off the side."We have split into three teams of three, with one team on foremast, another on the funnel and the third hanging off the side.
"We are using walkie-talkies to stay in contact with each other and have enough food and water to last several days."We are using walkie-talkies to stay in contact with each other and have enough food and water to last several days.
"We will stay as long as we can to stop the coal being unloaded.""We will stay as long as we can to stop the coal being unloaded."
A police statement said: "Kent Police received reports of Greenpeace protesters boarding and attempting to impede the berthing of a coal vessel at Kingsnorth power station in Kent. In the early hours, police responded to reports of Greenpeace protesters boarding and attempting to impede the berthing of a coal vessel at the power station.
"Protesters used ribs (rigid inflatable boats) and also entered the water in order to board and prevent the coal vessel from making port. Officers said protesters used ribs and entered the water to board and prevent the coal vessel from making port.
"They were unsuccessful in their attempts and the coal vessel has now docked." Police said the campaigners were unsuccessful in their attempts and the coal vessel docked as planned.
Kingsnorth has been at the centre of a climate change row after E.ON announced plans to build a bigger coal-fired power station to replace the existing facility.Kingsnorth has been at the centre of a climate change row after E.ON announced plans to build a bigger coal-fired power station to replace the existing facility.
If built it would be the first new coal-powered plant in the UK for a quarter of a century.If built it would be the first new coal-powered plant in the UK for a quarter of a century.
An estimated 1,500 demonstrators attended a climate camp to protest against the plans last August.An estimated 1,500 demonstrators attended a climate camp to protest against the plans last August.