A group of pirates have taken over the 88 metre, 850-tonne, three-masted French luxury yacht with 30 crew on board off the coast of Somalia. French cruise operator CMA-CGM confirmed Le Ponant had been seized on its way from the Seychelles to the Mediterranean. The luxurious yacht was scheduled to take on board passangers in Malta between April 21 and April 22.
The 32-cabin Le Ponant, is a fully equipped with lounges, bar and restaurant, is one of three operated by the Marseille-based firm, which describes itself as France's leading cruise provider. With a capacity for 64 passengers, it offers cruises in the Gulf region, including between Egypt and Aqaba in Jordan, and off the coast of Oman.
Le Ponant, 'was the victim of an act of piracy as it was sailing between Somalia and Yemen,' CMA-CGM spokesman Christophe Prazuck said.
A spokesman for the boat's owner, the Compagnie des Iles du Ponant, said there were no holidaymakers on board, and that most of the crew are from France and Ukraine.
The lastest news is that Le Commandant Rouen, warship, has been diverted from NATO's Afghanistan operation to join the Yemeni coast guard in the hunt for and rescue of the captured craft.
