Polish Authorities Fine Abortion Ship

BBC News ^ | 6/26/2003

[traditionalist]

Polish authorities have given a $3,000 fine to a visiting boat operated by a Dutch abortion rights group.

"The boat [the Langenort] breached procedures for entering the port and did not obey the orders of the port commander," Kazimierz Undro, the commander of Wladyslawowo port said.

"I asked it to move to another part of the port where it would be sheltered from a group of people who were hostile to its arrival," he added.

Protesters flung red paint and eggs at the ship Dutch ship when it entered the port on Sunday.

The Polish feminist who organised the boat's visit, Justyna Wlodarczyk, said organisers were hoping to be allowed to pay a deposit and leave.

"According to our legal experts we have the right to pay a guarantee and go to sea, while appealing the decision," she said.

But Mr Undro said: "The boat will not have the right to leave the port if it has not paid the fine [of 12,000 zlotys or 2,700 euros]."

The boat - dubbed a floating abortion clinic by Polish demonstrators - arrived in the port on Sunday "to offer Polish women advice on contraceptives."

It is crewed by members of the Netherlands-based Women on Waves group who have previously offered abortion pills to women after leaving nations with strict anti-abortion laws for international waters.

The use of abortion pills is banned in Poland. Under Polish law, terminations are only allowed when the pregnancy threatens a woman's mental or physical health, the foetus is damaged or in the cases of rape or incest.

"RU-486 [abortion] pills were sealed during a search of the boat on Monday because importing them, distributing them and using them is illegal in Poland," customs spokeswoman Jolanta Twardowska said.

The ship's visit angered Poland's influential Roman Catholic Church and anti-abortion groups that have asked prosecutors to investigate if it violates Poland's law.

In 2001, Women on Waves took another boat to predominantly Roman Catholic Ireland, but called off plans to offer RU-486 following last-minute legal and logistical complications.

[traditionalist]

Heh, heh, heh. Way to go Harbormaster Undro! Now if he can only come up with some excuse to impound the ship of death...

[ewing]

So are they headed out to sea again?

[camle]

not too long ago, it was "projetc hope" a medical ship sailing to third world nations offering lifesaving medical treatments.

now it's abortion ships.

[traditionalist]

No. Right now they are prohibited from leaving. That is a good thing because they can't perform abortions so long as they are in Polish waters.

[traditionalist]

FYI

[ppaul]

[navyblue]

Sounds to me like it's time for a little SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) safety inspection! The vessel might need to be inspected and assure that it's in full compliance. Might also have to check all the documents of the officers and crew to be sure they conform too.

Anything under par would have to be brought up to snuff or the ship could be legally prevented from leaving port.

Could be a LOT of expensive work may have to be done. Of course I don't know for sure about this particular case, but having been through many of those inspections, I do have some insight.

[DannyTN]

LOL They'll think twice about sailing into Polish waters again.

[Cicero]

Three cheers for Poland. Long may they remain faithful to the traditions of their fathers.

[JustPiper]

Poland rocks ;)

[JustPiper]

Beautiful picture! I am so proud of the red and white!

[JustPiper]

May Poland live and never die ;)