Open Ship

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.

July 1, 2003
Today we hold an open day on the ship. About 200 people come to visit the Langenort, some brave an almost two hour wait in line! The crew and volunteers are energised by the positive reactions of the visitors. Some of our opponents from the LPR prove that they have a sense of humour and release some mice on the deck. Instead of creating a scene of screaming women running around on deck, probably the intended reaction, the volunteers all have a good laugh, catch the mice and release them again outside the ship.

Polish volunteer, Aleksandra: "I will always remember the Open Day, especially the young boy who wore a T-shirt saying: “ Give me proper sex education.�

Polish volunteer, Monika: "During the open day a middle-aged man, a little shy, came up to me. First I think he just wants to have some gadgets and I give him a pen. But then he points out that he really wants to have more leaflets and brochures with information about contraceptives and the abortion issue. People do not visit the boat because it is a holiday attraction but because they really want to have information!"

Security co-ordinator, Yvette: "During the open day I stand at the entrance of the shipyard and I talk a little bit with some of the visitors. Most of them are in Wladyslawowo on holiday, and are very curious to see the ship. After the visit many people tell me they are surprised. They had expected a dirty, old, rusty, non-professional place instead of what they described as a “normal, sterile gynaecological treatment room.
When the guys from LPR come to the entrance of the shipyard, it becomes a bit hectic and some people decide to leave. The guards of the shipyard are in a panic because they heard rumours that the LPR is planning some actions and that the Church is also organising a protest for this Friday calling it the 'Light for Life' evening. The guards seem not to be trained to deal with large protests and demonstrations and are afraid that they will not manage to protect us. They inform us that their first priority is to protect the harbour and that we should probably call in extra security. "Thanks for the tip, but I’m in charge of security, and we will not panic", I answer.

Suddenly a woman runs towards me and informs me that a young girl and boy from the LPR boarded and left some mice on the ship. After visiting the ship with her daughter, she went to lunch at a place nearby, and she overheard some people from the LPR sitting next to them talking about it. I call the ship immediately but they are already busy catching the mice."

July 1, 2003 Warsaw
The forum of the Women’s Parliamentary Group have invited a representative from Women on Waves and the Federation for Women and Family Planning to speak to them in the Polish Parliament. A discussion about the current abortion law was added at the last minute and it is the first time in years that the subject of abortion is on the agenda. Both Wanda and Rebecca receive a heart-warming welcome and all participants express their support and gratitude for the ship’s visit to Poland. The meeting is ended by the formation of a body consisting of Members of Parliament and members of women’s groups who will collaborate on a draft to liberalise the anti-abortion law.

July 1, 2003 The Netherlands
The Christian Democratic Deputy Minister of Health of the Netherlands, Ms. Ross van Dorp says that Women on Waves are behaving as if Poland is a "Banana Republic". Ms. Ross has been a vocal opponent of the project from the moment she was elected to Parliament. Luckily her statements are expressions of her personal opinions and do not represent the official view of the government, neither do they express those of the Christian Democratic Party.

Other Dutch MP’s, Lousewies van der Laan, Evelien Tonkens, and Khadija Arib collect signatures in support of the project. The Dutch political parties VVD, D’66, PvdA, Groenlinks and SP sign this petition. Of these parties the VVD and D’66 are part of the government coalition.

Hotline team, Maria: “It is so strange to end a conversation with a desperate woman seeking information about ending her pregnancy and the next second to receive a phone call from a religious fanatic, who'd call you a thoughtless, evil person. The contrast!�

Some hotline messages:
- M., 50 years old from Warsaw, 5 weeks pregnant, she has adult children, no passport, we advise her to look at the website or find medical support in Warsaw.
- A woman asks us for advice. She is 10 weeks pregnant and underwent an operation 8 weeks ago at which time she was anaesthetised. She asks us if anaesthesia can be harmful to her unborn baby and what the possible consequences are.
- A man calls. His wife received some drug from a private doctor to bring on menstruation, 5 weeks after last menstruation. We advised his wife to call us directly and give more information about the drug that she received.

TVN 24, 01-07-2003: “Langenort is seen mainly as a tourist attraction.�

BBC News: 01-07-2003: "Abortion ship makes waves in Poland"

Polish volunteer, Aleksandra: "I will always remember the Open Day, especially the young boy who wore a T-shirt saying: “ Give me proper sex education.�

Polish volunteer, Monika: "During the open day a middle-aged man, a little shy, came up to me. First I think he just wants to have some gadgets and I give him a pen. But then he points out that he really wants to have more leaflets and brochures with information about contraceptives and the abortion issue. People do not visit the boat because it is a holiday attraction but because they really want to have information!"

open ship 2

Goodbye

The Langenort leaves to return the Netherlands. Weather is rough and emotions…

The last trip

The Langenort sails to international waters very early in the morning to avoid…

Artists or abortion doctors?

Women on Waves are invited to participate in an art event at Modelarnia, a…

Kremlin, Acropolis, Eiffel Tower, Langenort!

The Langenort does not sail out again due to weather conditions, and instead…

Support us

In Wroc?aw a demonstration takes place to support the actions of Women on Waves.

Active media

Washington Times 29-06-2003, Joe Bob's week in review: "The Langenort, a…

Sailing again

The Langenort sails out into international waters for the second time. There…

Dealing

The local prosecutor has started an investigation concerning the possible…

To international waters

The Langenort can finally sail to international waters to provide Polish women…

Teaching those who want to learn

The ship moved to a publicly more accessible space so that press and visitors…

A letter of support, a drop of truth.

On the fourth day of the campaign, it almost seemed like this hectic isolated…

Custom officials

On the 22nd of June the pharmaceutical experts identify 180 Cytotec pills and…

Arriving in Władysławowo

After 48 hours of negotiation with the harbor officials, the wind lifts up and…

Calling

DZIENNIK BALTYCKI: "There will be no pregnant women coming even as close as 10…

Press, police, politicians. and phones.

In the morning of the 21st of June, a press conference is held in the…

Bright Lights, Wrong City

When the Langenort finally arrives in Poland on the 20th of June, it finds no…

Attention

On the 19th of June at two pm Women on Waves sends their international press…

Keep the closet closed

On the 16th of June, the Langenort finally sails out, after first having the…

Clogged toilets and lawyers who never stop talking.

Meanwhile, the Langenort is having some difficulties. The Langenort's engine…

Fame! Glory! Compulsory EU leader tours!

In June 2003, Women on Waves got a spot in the first Biennial of Thessalonica…

Wladywhatta?

By April 2003, the crew, press team, medical team and translators are all in…

Leaking like a sieve.

Women on Waves is careful not to announce their trip to Poland, as not to allow…

Power to the... Church?

In January 2003 the Polish Government announces that a referendum will be held…

Condensed SexEd

In December 2002, Women on Waves gives one day workshops for medical…

License to question authority

Even though Women on Waves' application for a license as a first trimester…