The Egyptian Chamber of Diving and Watersports (CDWS) has issued a statement following the grounding of Red Sea liveaboard Seaphoria at Daedalus Reef (also known as Abu Kizan), off Marsa Alam, on Tuesday
The 35-metre Seaphoria, which has a capacity for up to 26 divers, was carrying 21 tourists and nine crew at the time of the grounding.
All 30 people on board were safely evacuated and transferred to the 45-metre Turquoise liveaboard, which was operating in the same area.
The passengers have since been accommodated in hotels in Marsa Alam, and no injuries have been reported.
Sea conditions were reportedly rough at the time, but the timing of the incident – almost one year to the day of the tragic Sea Story disaster in which 11 lives were lost – has once again raised questions over Egyptian liveaboard safety.
The CDWS issued an official statement following the incident, saying: ‘The Chamber received a report today, Tuesday, November 25, 2025, that the safari yacht MY Sephoria had docked on the coral reefs in the Abu Kizan area, close to the city of Marsa Alam.
‘The Chamber assures everyone that all the passengers and crew are OK, on board the Safari Turquoise yacht. They received the necessary care and accommodation upon their return safely in suitable hotels until the official procedures are completed.’
‘The specialised authorities, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and the Chamber, continue to provide full support to the practitioners and meet their needs until the investigations are complete.’
The Diving Tourism and Marine Activities Department confirmed that it will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of divers and operators in the region.
The reef will be inspected to assess the environmental impact resulting from the grounding.
