BW1368  NOV 18,1998       12:47 PACIFIC      15:47 EASTERN
 
 

( BW)(WINDJAMMER-BAREFOOT-CRS) Families of S/V Fantome
Crewmembers Speak Out Against Allegations
 

    Business Editors/Travel Writers
 

    MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1998--

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

    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 an 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.

     --30--gaa/mi*

     CONTACT:  Samcor Communications Co., Miami
               Cori Zywotow Rice or Roxanne St. Claire, 305/443-5454

     KEYWORD:  FLORIDA
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