Divers have made a commemorative dive on the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior, to mark the 20th anniversary of its sinking in New Zealand's Auckland Harbour.

Rainbow Warrior is now home to colourful marine life

The 40m-long ship was mined by French secret service agents in July 1985, at a time when Greenpeace was opposing French nuclear tests in the region. Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira drowned after being knocked unconscious below decks by the second blast that hit the ship.

The incident led to a serious deterioration in relations between New Zealand and France, culminating in the French Defence Minister's resignation.

The Rainbow Warrior was refloated and, two years after the attack, sunk as an artificial reef and diving attraction in about 25m of water at the Cavelli Islands, off the north of New Zealand's North Island.

Peter Willcox, skipper of the ship at the time of its sinking, led the dive to place a commemorative plaque on the ship's deck. Now 51, Connecticut-based Willcox has skippered several Greenpeace vessels over the past 20 years, including the new Rainbow Warrior when it voyaged to protest against French nuclear tests at Moruroa Atoll in 1991.

Related links
Exploring Grenada, Vanuatu, Australia and New Zealand, including Rainbow Warrior
New Zealand diving, including Rainbow Warrior
Greenpeace website

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