MV NORDVAER

BIOT and the depopulation of chagos & DIEGO GARCIA

Nordvaer began life as a humble Norwegian cargo vessel built in 1958. Ten years into her career the vessel was sold to the British Government for operations as a vital link to the remote Chagos Archipelago, sailing every two months from South Africa to bring mail, lumber and other crucial supplies. In 1967 the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) began depopulating the islands’ inhabitants, forcibly removing them to either Mauritius or Seychelles. It was Nordvaer’s unfortunate duty to carry hundreds in crowded conditions on-deck away from their island home - all to make way for a US base that continues to operate to this day, and in stark violation of UN and Human Rights laws.

Illustrator’s Note: Those interested can find a very informative article explaining the whole tragic story at here at Ocean 71.

MV Nordvaer

Length: Approx. 150’

Beam: 26’

Draught: 11’

Tonnage: 505 GRT

Max Speed: 11 kn