Bruno Roger, president of Lazard Frères in Paris, has been involved in many tricky international flotation deals, but none perhaps quite so mysterious as that of the Beru-Ma. Roger, a keen sailor, was a victim of yacht theft – it could only happen to a banker – in May this year when his boat, the Beru-Ma, a Princess V58 60 ft luxury cruiser, was stolen from the port of Bonifacio in Corsica. French police say the crime has become a serious problem as increasing numbers of wealthy owners leave their expensive cruisers moored in ports with little security.

The boat has two double berths, one twin-bedded guest cabin and an elegant salon where Roger has no doubt wined and dined some of his friends, who include French president, Jacques Chirac, and Thierry Breton, minister of the economy.