The Langenort leaves to return the Netherlands. Weather is rough and emotions are split: can Women on Waves be happy with what they achieved, or should they be angry about what they did not? Either way, they hope they have opened some eyes.

The ship's visit prompted talk-show discussions, parliamentary debate and, unsurprisingly, the condemnation from church and conservative political leaders. The columnists from the major national weeklies all wrote in their columns about Women on Waves and these columns were all, without exception, extremely positive and witty. During the three weeks of the campaign everyone talked about abortion, in the media, in parliament, on the street and in bars. The campaign was successful in breaking the taboo surrounding the issue. As long as the issue of unwanted pregnancies and abortions is cloaked in taboo, silence and shame, the laws will not change, nor will the problems of women with unwanted pregnancies go away. The last in-depth television report on the ship's visit ended with "The Ship Will Sail Away but the Problem for Polish Women Remains".

The Langenort sails to international waters very early in the morning to avoid anti-choice protest. They arrive back early in the afternoon, when there are hardly any protestors at the quay. Once the ship is moored, a special team of customs officials board the ship.

The crew is informed that some of the passengers will be body-searched. All passengers wait in the steering cabin and are very quiet. It is a very intimidating situation, some women are asked to remove all of their clothes and their bags are emptied and searched. Nothing is found and finally everyone is allowed to leave the ship. The disembarking passengers cover their faces and head for the security vans that are waiting to bring them away.

Women on Waves are invited to participate in an art event at Modelarnia, a contemporary art space in Gdansk. Aneta Szyłak, an internationally known Polish curator has invited several Polish artists whose work has been censured by conservative religious leaders to present and discuss their work.

Artists Bogna Burska, Grzegorz Klaman and Dorota Nieznalska all give presentations of their work. Dorota Nieznalska was recently convicted for one of her installations. Several new-media projects and installations designed for Women on Waves by Willem Velthoven are also presented at the Modelarnia.
Since the weather has improved, the Langenort will make one more trip to international waters.

The Langenort does not sail out again due to weather conditions, and instead stay docked, where it becomes the backdrop of many snapshots. The hotlines volunteers have to call women to inform them that they cannot sail today, they will have to wait, which sometimes results in not being able to help them anymore.

//an email://"To be honest I don't even know how to start this letter. Shocked by the pictures of a mob shouting and throwing eggs at you and your ship. First of all I would like to show my great admiration and respect for your courage and inner strength to pursue your mission in such a hostile environment. I would also like to say that not all Poles are fanatic religious activists. There is a great number of people who support your mission and actions,... I also congratulate you because since the LANGENORT has arrived in the Wladyslawowo harbour a lot of discussion (all over Poland!) have broken out concerning the abortion topic. so you see, your visit here is already a success!!! people that start thinking about the topic of abortion, start making an opinion of their own. once again I would like to speak out my deepest respect and congratulate you once again for you work here in Poland."

An open house day is held on the ship to be able to provide more information. Over 200 people show up, and despite mice being let loose on deck they brave a two hour wait to see the ship. Leaflets and brochures are given out with more information about birth control and abortion.

In Warsaw Rebecca speeches for Polish Parliament, after having been invited by the Women's Parliamentary Group. A discussion about current abortion law is added to the agenda at the last moment, a topic that has not been discussed in years.
In the Netherlands Mrs Ross van Dorp, the Christian Democratic Dutch Deputy Minister of Health, criticizes Women on Waves, saying that they are behaving as if Poland is a 'Banana Republic'. Van Dorp has been voicing her opinion about the Women on Waves project since she was elected, but expresses a personal view, and not her party's general opinion.

In Wroc?aw a demonstration takes place to support the actions of Women on Waves. Two days ago another demonstration was held in Warsaw, and Emancypunx, Os´ka and the March 8th Women's Alliance, all Polish Women's organizations, all collected signatures of people who supported Women on Waves cause.

Newsweek Poland, 30-06-2003: “Abortion – They Terminated Pregnancies�: Last Thursday, three pregnant women terminated their pregnancies aboard the sailing abortion clinic Langenort. Our journalist went on board together with 10 volunteers. On board the ship Rebecca Gomperts, founder of Women on Waves, made sonograms to confirm pregnancy. Only 3 pregnant women were onboard, the rest were feminists and translators. Before the Langenort reached international waters there were workshops on sexual education. A huge black penis was used to demonstrate how to use a condom. The seals on the medicine cabinets were broken. Pregnant women signed an agreement stating that they are aware of the choice they were making. They received a small pill, a glass of water, and a form describing the effect of the pill. The Dutch woman explained that there would be pain and within 48 hours menstruation should follow. The following day they called the women sailing with the ship with the announcement that the prosecutor’s office in Puck had started an investigation and that the participants could be called to the hearing as well. They reminded the women that they could refuse to testify. Importing illegal medicines can be punished with up to 2 years imprisonment. Having an abortion is not a punishable offence.� Report from undercover journalist on board the Langenort

Washington Times 29-06-2003, Joe Bob's week in review: "The Langenort, a Dutch tugboat with a mobile abortion clinic aboard, docked at W?adys?awowo, Poland, causing panic and outrage among the Catholic hierarchy as women lined up to be taken to international waters, examined by doctors, and possibly given the RU 486 abortion inducing drug. Abortion is illegal in Poland, as is French-kissing before marriage"

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.

The local prosecutor has started an investigation concerning the possible distribution of illegal drugs, being abortion pills, in Polish territory. The prosecutors say they suspect that the missing pills from the Langenort are being sold in Poland.

A few days later Women on Waves will also have to cancel a voyage to international waters. The Langenort crew and the doctors are summoned to the police station for questioning and there will be no more time to sail to international waters.

The Langenort can finally sail to international waters to provide Polish women with abortion pills. The identity of the 11 Polish women who will be sailing on the ship is protected by volunteers walking around the ship in hoods and sunglasses, distracting the anti-choice protesters, who vowed to publish photographs of all the women who go aboard on the internet.

While sailing to international waters, the women onboard receive a workshop about sexually transmitted infections, contraceptives and unwanted pregnancy. Once in international waters, the closet with the medication is opened and the gynecologist treats the pregnant women.
While the Langenort is sailing back, the on land Women on Waves crew is denied access to the secured dock where the ship will dock. In the end they force their way in to be able welcome the sailors.
Once the ship is on land, custom counts and reseals the medication. They report 12 missing pills.