In a dramatic turn of events, Greenpeace activists protesting against deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean were met with water hoses as they tried to block the prospecting efforts of the mining vessel Coco. The incident, captured on footage released by the NGO, has intensified the ongoing conflict between environmental activists and deep sea mining operators.

For the past week, an international team of Greenpeace activists from Mexico, Argentina, Norway, South Korea, Poland, and the UK have been using canoes and dinghies to obstruct the Coco, a deep sea mining exploration vessel. The Coco, operated by a subsidiary of Canadian-based mining company The Metals Company, has been conducting exploratory research in the Clarion Clipperton zone since 2011.

Despite protests from Greenpeace and opposition from two dozen governments, including Mexico, The Metals Company plans to file for a mining permit for waters between Mexico and Hawaii. The company argues that data from their latest expedition, which examines how the seabed has recovered from last year's exploration, will be crucial for their application to begin mining in the area by 2025.

However, opponents of deep sea mining argue that not enough is known about the potential environmental impacts to proceed safely. They have called for a moratorium on licensing until further research is conducted. These concerns have fueled the determination of Greenpeace activists, who have been participating in sorties launched from the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise to impede the Coco's crew from deploying their equipment.

In a recent development, two Greenpeace activists managed to board the Coco and declared their intention to camp on the crane used for equipment deployment until The Metals Company agrees to halt their operations. To deter the protests, The Metals Company sought an injunction in the Netherlands, where the Arctic Sunrise is registered, to enforce a distance of 500 meters from the Coco for protesters. However, the court ruled that the protests could continue around the ship, but Greenpeace's climbers had to come down or face potential fines of €50,000 per day.

Both sides have claimed partial victory in the case. Greenpeace hailed the ruling as "a massive setback for the deep sea mining industry" and criticized The Metals Company for being resistant to scrutiny. Mads Christensen, head of Greenpeace International, affirmed their determination to bring attention to the dangers of deep sea mining and to continue disrupting the industry. On the other hand, Gerard Barron, executive chair of The Metals Company, expressed respect for Greenpeace's right to peaceful protest but emphasized their responsibility to ensure the safe continuation of their operations and the welfare of everyone involved.

As the conflict escalates between environmentalists and mining operators, the focus shifts to the gathering of crucial scientific data by The Metals Company. They aim to provide this information to the International Seabed Authority, as they push forward with their plans for deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean. The outcome of this ongoing dispute will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of deep sea mining and the protection of our marine ecosystems.

Note: The article has been generated using only the information provided and does not contain external research beyond that context.