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| Pirates Take Cew Hostage |
 The 936 ton, three masted Le Ponant was boarded and taken over by pirates off of the coast of Somalia on April 5. The French luxury cruise yacht "was the victim of an act of piracy early this afternoon as it was sailing between Somalia and Yemen," spokesman Christophe Prazuck told the Sydney Morning Herald. "As far as we know, no shots have been fired."
Thirty crew members were aboard the vessel when the pirates took over but no passengers. "We have confirmation that the crew was safe and sound and well-treated," a spokesperson told the Belfast Telegraph.
The French navy has sent the frigate Le Commandant Bouan to assist while a military plane has flown over the vessel, monitoring its progress on the seas. Marine commandos and an elite police squad are nearby to launch a rescue.
No demands have yet been stated by the pirates but the French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, has not ruled out paying ransom. "We've made contact and the matter could last a long time," he told the Daily Telegraph. "We have to do everything to avoid bloodshed."
Operated by the Marseilles-based cruise operator CMA-CGM, Le Ponant is a 32 cabin ship with a bar, restaurant and fully equipped lounges. CMA-CGM operates two similar yachts and is France's leading cruise provider. Ten Ukrainians, 22 French and several Koreans make up the crew.
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