Substantial modifications, defective or missing lifesaving equipment, poor fire protection, poor crew training and poor safety briefings all identified as Red Sea liveaboard safety issues.
The UK Government’s Marine Accident Investigations Branch (MAIB) has issued a safety bulletin to prospective customers following the loss of life on Egyptian liveaboard dive boats operating in the Red Sea.
The report follows the capsizing of Sea Story on 25 November 2024, in which 11 lives – including those of two British divers – were lost.
Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, said: ‘The MAIB is aware of 16 accidents that have occurred over the last 5 years involving liveaboard dive vessels operating in the Red Sea. It is deeply regrettable that a number of these accidents have resulted in the loss of life and our thoughts are with all those affected.
‘While MAIB does not have the jurisdiction to investigate accidents involving non-UK flagged vessels operating within the territorial waters of another coastal state, we have made the appropriate authorities aware of our national interest and offered every assistance with any safety investigation they conduct.
‘Our safety bulletin provides important guidance to those intending to stay on liveaboard vessels. It is important to remember that such vessels are unlikely to be built, maintained, equipped, and operated to the standard of similar vessels in the UK and we urge the exercise of extreme caution when choosing a boat.’
The bulletin is reposted in full below, and can be found online at www.gov.uk/government/news/safety-bulletin-12025-published
Safety issues on Egyptian liveaboard dive boats operating in the Red Sea
BACKGROUND
The MAIB is aware that 16 Red Sea liveaboard dive boats have been lost over the last 5 years. Seven of these losses happened in the last 21 months, and three of these resulted in numerous fatalities including UK nationals.
In line with the principles of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code, the UK has been registered as a substantially interested state in the Egyptian safety investigations into these accidents.
FINDINGS
On 24 April 2023, dive boat Carlton Queen capsized and foundered (Figure 1) near Hurghada, Egypt with 33 people on board. All passengers and crew were rescued though several were injured, including UK nationals.
On 11 June 2023, dive boat Hurricane caught fire (Figure 1) and was abandoned near Elphinstone Reef in the Red Sea. Of the 29 people on board, three UK passengers remain unaccounted for and are believed to have perished.
On 25 November 2024, dive boat Sea Story capsized and foundered south of Port Ghalib, Egypt with 45 people on board. Four bodies have been recovered and 7 people, including two UK passengers, remain missing and are believed to have perished.
SAFETY ISSUES
The following safety issues have been identified:
- The dive boats involved were poorly constructed and often substantially modified/extended (Figure 2), which resulted in some vessels exhibiting inadequate stability.
- Essential lifesaving equipment was defective, out-of-date for service and, in some cases, missing.
- The rapid spread of fire is indicative of poor structural fire protection, and items of essential safety equipment, such as fire detection systems and fire extinguishers, were either missing or defective.
- Emergency escape routes were via lockable doors, had no emergency lighting and were unmarked.
- Safety briefings to passengers were of a poor standard or not conducted at all.
- Crews appeared poorly trained and were unfamiliar with their vessels.
SAFETY LESSONS
Liveaboard dive boat holidays are often marketed using ratings and reviews posted online that are not necessarily accurate and do not assure safety standards.
Further, a number of consumers have found themselves switched to another boat on arrival in Egypt, which has negated their attempts to holiday on a safe vessel.
From the spate of recent fatal accidents and vessel losses, it is clear that the local safety standards of dive boats operating in the Red Sea can fall well below those routinely experienced in the UK and Europe.
Prospective customers are advised only to book liveaboard dive holidays through recognised vendors who can provide assurance about the safety standards applicable to the dive boat.
On arrival on board, customers should request that the crew provide a thorough safety briefing before departure. This should cover the emergency warning signal, emergency exits, muster stations, the location and use of safety equipment, and abandon ship procedures.
Safety recommendations shall in no case create a presumption of blame or liability
Report ends
Download a .pdf copy of the report here and share it wide.
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