Sailing again

June 28, 2003
The Langenort sails out into international waters for the second time. There are 7 Polish women on board. The weather is great. At sea Rebecca and Juul give a workshop on sexual health. After the captain informs us that the ship is in international waters, the seal on the medicine closet is broken. Upon our arrival the customs officials happily seal the medicine chest for the third time. After counting all the pills, the customs notice that some pills are missing again.

In Warsaw a demonstration in support of Women on Waves is taking place. Emancypunx, Oska and the March 8th Women's Alliance, all Polish Women’s organisations collect signatures in support of our campaign.

Nurse, Juul: "The second time the ship sails, the customs officials ask all of the passengers if they have any medication with them. My antibiotics are confiscated, but later returned."
When we return to the harbour Beata starts handing out Women on Waves t-shirts to the passengers. One of the women sticks out her hand eagerly to receive the T-shirt, grabs the shirt and holds it tight against her. She is clearly very happy with it. The T-shirt is a symbol of an important step in her life."

Hotline team, Yvette: “During the second voyage, one of the women, M., doesn’t show up. We had phoned her yesterday in the afternoon and she told us that she had very little time to prepare. She is coming from a little village where public transport is not that frequent. We don’t know if she managed to take leave from her work. Later we find out that she missed her train.�

Some hotline messages:
- D., 27 years old from Katowice last period on 20.05, She really wants to come but she doesn’t know if she can. She has 2 children and a job. Her husband left her one week ago. She had a breakdown a few weeks ago because she was working three jobs. She wanted to know if antibiotics lower the efficiency of the Pill and increase the risk of getting pregnant. Her husband doesn't know that she is pregnant.
- I., 29 years old from Slupsk, last menstruation on 25.05. She has 2 kids and her husband mustn't find out that she is pregnant again. She feels intimidated by him. We make an appointment with her, but it will difficult for her to come on our next planned voyage (Monday June 30). She is on our list for the next voyage.
- M., from Warsaw. She doesn't want to leave her phone number because she is living with her parents. The doctor told her that she is 5 weeks pregnant.

A few emails:'' "I'd like to thank you for coming to Poland. We really need you!!!! Owing to you the problem of safe sex, abortion etc is brought up again. I'm sorry for any problems that you'll be sure to face in my country. But I'd like you to know that the majority of Polish people really appreciate your visit. Thank you very much!!!"

"No questions. I would simply like to thank you for this feat or maybe battle I should say there is a long way but I believe we are much stronger thanks to you."
"Words of solidarity and admiration for courage to resist against Catholic bigots and raged clericalism."

"Welcome Langenort in Wladyslawowo, resident"

"I support you – I had also abortion and nobody can forbid that, because it our body. Greetings"

"Bravo! Bravo girls! You are great! I love you!"''