The Louis group has been providing tourist services for 72 years. The cruise, hotels and tourist services are provided by distinct companies with separate management. It is a reputable group which prides itself on its safety record over this period. The group wishes to emphasise its commitment to employing the highest calibre management and staff, providing safe equipment, training and complying with industry standards and legislation.

Louis Hellenic’s priorities over the last 6 days have been to ensure the safe evacuation and repatriation of the passengers on board the SEA DIAMOND on 5th April 2007 and safety of the crew. There have been a multitude of practicalities to deal with to ensure the efficient and comfortable return of the passengers to their homes. Payments to passengers and crew for lost luggage and other incidental expenses has also had to be organised.

Louis Hellenic’s efforts continue to focus on locating the 2 missing French passengers and the avoidance of pollution to the environment. The company needs to concentrate on these two important factors without distraction. At the same time the company needs to ensure that a full and proper investigation is carried out to ascertain exactly what happened and why.

The Company has taken a great deal of time to make information available to the press, sought to answer press enquires and has organized a Press Conference so as to answer to questions raised by the media.

Further announcements will be made as and when there are developments for the company to report.

Louis Hellenic Cruises continues to cooperate closely with the relevant authorities in Greece and is committed to fully investigating the causes of this incident.

Louis Hellenic Cruises categorically refutes any suggestion that the company stands to make any financial gain arising from the tragic loss of this vessel.