Le Ponant Yacht Crew Tells of Hostage Ordeal with Somalia Pirates - News and Video
See Updates at the bottom of this page about the Le Ponant hostages release, and news about the Le Ponant crew and the Somalian pirates from April 14 to April 16 2008.
Click here to read all news articles about the Le Ponant pirate attack.
April 14 2008
The hostages released from the Le Ponant luxury yacht told the press Sunday how they turned water hoses on the rifle-wielding Somalian pirates in a desperate bid to repel them before being captured and held hostage for a week off the Somali coast.
The skipper of Le Ponant Patrick Marchesseau stated that the pirates then began shooting with Kalashnikov AK-47 rifles as they drew close to the yacht.
Six pirates were arrested in a high drama raid Friday by the French commandos as the hostage-takers tried to escape in a 4x4 vehicle, having gone ashore in Somalia after releasing the Le Ponant crew members for a ransom.
The Le Ponant skipper said he had managed to contact the authorities without the pirates' knowledge, despite having been warned not to.
The 30 crew of the yacht Le Ponant were taken on a French helicopter carrier off Somalia, and have been flown to a French military base in Djibouti. The crew will now fly on to France.
It is not yet clear if the non-French crew members of Le Ponant, which is now said to have included six Filipinos, a Cameroonian and a Ukrainian will also travel to France. The former hostages have all had medical and psychological check-ups.
The French foreign ministry would like to see the pirates brought to France for trial. There is no information yet regarding if or when this will happen.
Click here to read all news articles about the Le Ponant pirate attack.
Video: Capture of the pirates in Somalia and Video of Le Ponant crew released. Video in French.
Submitted By YachtPals on 14 Apr
Le Ponant piracy, Piracy, pirates, real pirates, piracy somalia, yacht, yachts, sailing yacht, Le Ponant, Le Ponant hostages,
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Le Ponant Crew Update
Paris - The crew of the luxury yacht Le Ponant who were abducted by pirates and held for ransom for one week off the Somali coast have arrived in Paris. President of France Nicolas Sarkozy was at the Orly Airport (south of Paris) to greet the 30 released crew members.
We are receiving conflicting reports regarding the death of some of the Somalian pirates. The French government has denied reports that a number of the pirates or civilian bystanders were killed in the mission, as had been reported by witnesses and many media outlets. As always, we'll keep you updated here at YachtPals.com, as we learn more.
Le ponant crew video
The video footage of them catching the pirates is interesting and it is so great to see those smiling faces!
Le Ponant Update
Somalia is considering the request by France to try the six pirates captured by French troops after the release of the hostages on the yacht Le Ponant.
"We are looking for some legal advice, but as you know the TFG (transitional federal government) has always cooperated very closely with the French government," a Somali official told AFP.
He said that the Somali officials had been discussing the issue "over the past 24 hours."
"The meeting is going on, but we are aware that this story is getting major coverage in France, and we are definitely trying to reach an agreement as soon as possible," he added.
Meanwhile, the French foreign ministry says it is still waiting for permission from Somalia to put the six pirates on trial.
"We are in close contact with the Somali authorities on this matter in which the legal aspects are the subject of interministerial consultations." The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson told the press yesterday.
Somali officials and witnesses also said again that three people were killed during the French operation, but the military in Paris continues to deny this.
Right now the crew of the Le Ponant, are safe and sound in Paris, where they are enjoying some much needed time with their families.
President of France Sarkozy expressed his profound gratitude to the French armed forces and all the State services which enabled there to be a swift outcome to the hostage-taking without incident.
Le Ponant Update - Pirates Arrive in France
PARIS - The six Somalian pirates of the yacht Le Ponant arrived in Paris early Wednesday on a military plane.
The pirates have now been taken to police headquarters for questioning.
French authorities said that they intend to put the six pirates on trial for hijacking the luxury yacht Le Ponant and taking the crew as hostages for ransom.
Le Ponant Update - Filipino Crew Arrives Home
The six Filipino sailors that were held hostage on the Le Ponant arrived home in the Philippines this morning.
The sailors, Gary Caingat, Marisol Abalos, Gilbert Giorioso, Alexander Hibi, Victor Rebanal and Domingo Barayang, were welcomed by officials of the Foreign Affairs Department at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The six Filipino Le Ponant crew members expressed gratitude to both the French and Philippine governments.
Le ponant crew
Hello!
I am friend of Ukrainian citizen from yacht Le Ponant. I wont to found her. How is she? When come back she in Ukraine?
Help me please!
- Galina
Le Ponant Update - Ukrainian Crew Members
Galina,
ALL of the Le Ponant hostages have been released and were flown to Paris.
According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the Ukrainian Le Ponant crew was freed without the use of the force and the Ukrainian woman, who was among the hostages, was released and reportedly was in good health.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also said that visas had been issued to the Ukrainian crew members and their accommodations and return fare would be financed by CMA-CGM. When? They did not say, but we'll keep you posted if we hear anything.
- The YachtPals Crew
Le Ponant Update
SSO what happened there?
I am currently doing a close protection and marine security course in the UK and Switzerland aimed at this sort of event. What happened in the lead up and boarding of the yacht. Was there an SSO onboard and what procedures were in place to prevent this sort of thing happening?
I am very interested to learn by the mistakes in order that it doesn't happen to another vessel. Maybe we can all learn by it.
Lee
Where to find more information about the Le Ponant pirate attack
Check out the news article about the Le Ponant (a timeline of the pirate attack) here: http://yachtpals.com/boating/le-ponant-3 or click here to see all the news about the Le Ponant pirate attack.
You might also be interested in the story: Defending Against Pirate Attack.
Le Ponant
Does anyone know when Le Ponant will be back in service? I wonder how long it might take to prepare the ship for passengers?
Le Ponant
The Le Ponant is currently getting repairs at the Monaco Marine, La Ciotat shipyard.
MSY
This is off subject but related to the Ponant. Can someone point me in the direction to research what MSY craft exist and anything related to their operations etc. I am researching for a project and seek info on these craft. Particularly Ponant size vessels.
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