Arctic drilling protesters fined after dangling from Oregon bridge

FiveGreenpeaceprotesters who tried to stop aRoyal Dutch Shell icebreaker from leaving Portland, Ore., for anArctic oil-drilling operation have been fined$5,000 apiece by the U.S. Coast Guard.

• PHOTOS |Activists rappel off Oregon bridge to stop Shell icebreaker

The icebreaking vessel Fennica arrived in Portland last month forrepairs. When the repairs were done, 13 protesters suspendedthemselves from a bridge to try to block it from going to theArctic. The icebreaker got through July 30.

Petty Officer 1st Class George Degener says they were fined forinterfering with the safe operations of a vessel. They can appealbefore a hearings officer in Virginia.

The protesters facing fines include three who dangled below thebridge for 40 hours and two members of their support staff.

Degener says protesters who came down of their own accord weren'tfined.