Families of S/V Fantome Crewmembers Speak Out Against Allegations

Hello Fellow  'Jammers

I know, I said not until Friday. But two shipmates sent me the following
story, and I thought you'd like to see it.
That is all for tonight. Until Friday, unless there is breaking news.

Take Care and Have Faith

Dean in Southern Delaware

Dean Dey
http://www.rec.udel.edu    Work Web
http://www.rec.udel.edu/wj.htm    Windjammer Page

________________________________________________________________
Company Press Release

Families of S/V Fantome Crewmembers Speak Out Against Allegations

-- Fantome Captain March's Younger Brother Rejoins Windjammer as First
Mate and Defends His Brother's Navigational Decisions --

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1998-- First Mate Paul March, the younger
brother of the Captain of the S/V Fantome, has announced his decision to
rejoin Windjammer Barefoot Cruises after an extended leave to further his
maritime education. First Mate March, 28, joins the many family members of
the crew of the S/V Fantome, who are speaking out  against the law suit that
has been brought against Windjammer Barefoot Cruises after the vessel was
lost off the coast of Honduras during Hurricane Mitch last month.

``Allegations of a suicide mission and corporate greed are ludicrous and
extremely painful to me, my family and all of the loved ones of the
Fantome
crew,'' stated Paul March. ``My brother was an experienced Captain and,
quite frankly, not a risk taker. Like many others, I have carefully
reviewed
his decisions during the
storm and cannot second-guess any of his navigational choices, which
were
based on the information and forecasts. And, as Captain of the Fantome,
he
was the ultimate and final decision-maker. I consider it an honor and
privilege to sail for Windjammer and hope to spend many years with the
company.''

Although 31 crewmembers were lost during the tragedy, relatives of only
six
have officially elected to participate in the lawsuit. A number of other
family members have declined and, like First
Mate March, have stated their support for the company and their belief
that
the tragedy was unavoidable.

Annie Bleasdale, a Windjammer crewmember for five years and the
girlfriend
of Captain Guyan March of the Fantome stated: ``Guyan was the most
superior,
most respected Captain, loved by his crew and his family. I have sailed
with
him for the past year and a half and I am certain that he would have
done
everything possible to protect the crew and escape the storm.''

The Captain's family and loved ones have declined to participate in the
lawsuit. ``Every sailor takes a risk and every cruise ship runs from
hurricanes. When you look at where the storm went, it was like it was
tracking the ship. It was so unpredictable, it was an act of God,''
added
Annie Bleasdale.

``We are deeply moved by the fact that so many families are declining to
participate in this legal maneuver that is so clearly in effort to
realize a
financial gain from a very tragic situation,'' stated Michael Burke,
president of Windjammer Barefoot Cruises Ltd.

``Between the many years of experience our Captains' possess and the
best
scientific estimates by the most advanced hurricane tracking centers, an
education decision was made to try to keep Fantome out of harms way. Any
suggestion otherwise is positively ridiculous. Captain March was a young
man
with a brilliant future and he made every decision in an effort to
protect
the crew and himself. His family finds great comfort in that.''

Windjammer Barefoot Cruises Ltd. is a tour operator of a fleet of
passenger-carrying Tall Ships. International Maritime Resources Inc.,
based
in Miami, manages the operations for Fantome S.A., owner of the vessel.

Sleep Well, and think about a special picture that you would like to
share on the "Memories" page, sent it to us & we will get it up.

Keep the Faith

Bill & Trudy

http://www.akaresults.com/fantome
http://cruises.tqn.com/library/weekly/aa110998.htm
http://cruises.tqn.com