Three charged as Rising Tide protesters cross into Newcastle Port shipping channel

Three Rising Tide protesters have been charged after paddling their kayaks into the path of Port of Newcastle’s shipping channel. See the video.

Three Rising Tide protesters have been charged after paddling their kayaks into the path of Port of Newcastle’s shipping channel.

Rising Tide representatives told The Saturday Telegraph the protesters “left the safety zone” while entering the shipping channel on Saturday.

As thousands of climate activists gathered in the Port of Newcastle for The People’s Blockade, event organisers Rising Tide announced via social media that eight protesters would paddle out into the shipping channel and risk arrest.

Rising Tide protesters in kayaks at Horseshoe Beach. It is not suggested anyone pictured entered into the exclusion zone or were arrested by police. Picture: Adam Yip

The vessel, Energia Centaurus, which was set to depart the port at 1.45pm, en route to Kudamatsu, Japan, was delayed for almost an hour due to the action.

It departed just after 2.30pm.

Rising Tide representative Zach Schofield said several protesters crossed the navigation markers and paddled into the shipping channel.

Generic photos of the Rising Tide protesters as they take to the water in attempt to blockade the access to the Newcastle coal port. It is not suggested anyone pictured entered into the exclusion zone or were arrested by police. Picture: Getty Images

“There have been two arrests, but no charges were laid. The protesters were towed back to Queens Wharf,” he said in the morning.

On Saturday evening, police said three people had been charged with failing to comply with a safety direction: two men aged 27 and 60, and a 26-year-old woman.

“About 1.45pm today, officers attached to Marine Area Command issued directions to a number of people to move away from a shipping channel due to safety concerns.

“When two men - aged 27 and 59 - and a 26-year-old woman allegedly remained in the water, they were arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station where they were charged with not comply with direction by authorised officer relating to safety.

“They were all granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Monday 13 January 2025.”

Another Rising Tide representative said there could be as many as 8 arrests in total.

“Four people have had their boats taken under control by police and taken into custody” he said.

Police said: “A number of other people were not arrested on the water, but were assisted by police when they struggled to return to shore.

The protest began on Friday, however until Saturday afternoon the activists had kept to the edge of the channel, allowing ships to enter and exit safely.

Safety concerns for protesters leading up to the event saw the NSW government place an exclusion zone in the harbour to deter the protest, a decision that was later overturned in the Supreme Court.

There has also been a heavy police presence since Friday, with officers in position on both land and sea.

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