Press Releases & Updates 2001

Rachel Remnant, 21, a zoology student at Liverpool University and Marcus Armstrong, 41, a peace and community worker from Milton Keynes, swam on 6th August through the protected waters around the base, under the security boom and into the high security area where two Trident submarines were berthed. They remained concealed in this area for 20 minutes, and were arrested while painting "ILLEGAL" on the side of one of the submarines. Although the swimmers are adamant that they painted on the sub they were not charged with vandalism, an omission more likely to be based on embarrassment than MOD benevolence.

Today they were facing charges of breaching the military bye-laws by being in a protected area without authorisation. Cross-examining Crown witnesses, they established that the Trident berths were only patrolled by between 9 and 14 security personnel and that there were no physical barriers to a swimmer entering the base from the Gareloch.

Rachel said: "Because we hold ourselves accountable for our actions we stopped when challenged and waited to be picked up. It would have been child’s play that night for a terrorist to attach an explosive device to the hull and swim away unnoticed. When you consider of what is on the other side of that hull -a nuclear reactor, high explosive and plutonium - it’s frightening how pathetic the security is."

Justice of the Peace Nicholson found them both guilty, fining Rachel £50 and Marcus £75.

Appearing in the same court was Kreb Dragonrider, who continues to be on remand in Greenock Prison. Kreb was charged with malicious mischief for cutting the perimeter fence at the Coulport warhead store in August 2000. JP Nicholson found him guilty but only admonished him, since he had already spent time in prison. Katri Silvonen (22), a Finnish woman currently working with the For Mother Earth campaign in Belgium, was found guilty of a breach of the peace relating to a vigil at the Coulport base this August and fined £75.

Printer friendly version

Home | Top