More than £100,000 was stolen during a raid by pirates on the 54-metre sailing yacht Tiara. The attack took place in August while Tiara lay at anchor off Corsica.

Four masked men boarded the yacht wielding handguns and ordered Captain Pascal Pellat-Finet to empty the boat’s safe of cash. Within ten minutes, the gang were in their speedboat making good their escape.

The yacht’s managers YCO deny that watches and jewellery were taken during the raid, saying that only cash was handed over. No harm came to guests or crew.

The French coastguard said that this was the first case of piracy in the Mediterranean for many years but as a precaution are advising vigilance when mooring in secluded bays at night. Despite this raid, charter yachts remain one of the safest ways to holiday in private.