Bourbon in contact with Sagitta crew members

Bourbon says that today, Tuesday November 4, 2008, it received a phone call during which the company was able to speak with the Captain and Chief Mate of the Bourbon Sagitta. The two officers confirmed that the 10 crew members seized from the ship on October 31 are all together, in good health and being well treated.

Bourbon immediately contacted the families to keep them informed.

The ten were kidnapped when a number of armed men in three boats, boarded the Bourbon Sagitta, an AHTS vessel working off the Bakasi Peninsula (180 kms from Douala). T he assailants were only on board for 15 minutes then left with their captives.

Subsequently, the Cameroonian Bakassi Freedom Fighters group claimed responsibility for the attack.

An Emergency Unit, put in place by Bourbon on October 31, continues to work closely with the French Ministry of Foreign and European affairs, the Tunisian authorities and the local Cameroonian authorities.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs says that in the circumstances, the utmost discretion is necessary in order for any action taken to be effective.