The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has issued safety advice for those considering a liveaboard dive holiday in the Red Sea, following a series of accidents involving these vessels.
Over the past five years, 16 incidents have been recorded, with three dive boats lost in the last 20 months. Several of these incidents resulted in fatalities.
The tourist yacht named Sea Story sank off the coast of Egypt’s Red Sea on 25 November 2024, with 46 people on board. A total of four bodies were recovered, and seven people are still missing. Five people were found alive in the wreck after surviving in “20cm air pockets” for over 30 hours following the sinking.
Survivors have accused Egyptian authorities and the boat’s operator, Dive Pro Liveaboard, of pressuring them to sign statements they could not understand after the sinking, attempting to deflect blame, and ignoring safety failings on the vessel.
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In 2023, three British passengers died after a fire broke out and engulfed the motorboat Hurricane off the coast of Marsa Alam, Egypt.
Red Sea dive boat safety
MAIB’s investigations have identified a number of safety concerns related to the construction, maintenance and operation of some liveaboard dive vessels in the region. The MAIB finds that many of the boats involved were poorly built and had been significantly modified or extended, leading to stability issues. In several cases, essential lifesaving equipment was found to be defective, expired or missing altogether.
Fire safety has also been identified as a concern, with evidence of rapid fire spread suggesting inadequate structural fire protection. Additionally, key fire safety equipment such as detection systems and extinguishers was either absent or inoperative.
Further risks were associated with emergency escape routes, some of which were blocked by lockable doors, unmarked or lacked emergency lighting. Passenger safety briefings were also found to be inconsistent, with reports indicating that they were either insufficient or not carried out at all. Crew training and vessel familiarity were also cited as concerns.
MAIB advises that prospective customers book through reputable operators who can provide assurances regarding the safety standards of the vessels. It also recommends that, upon arrival, passengers request a full safety briefing before departure.
Discussing the safety warning for Red Sea dive boat trips, Andrew Moll, chief inspector of marine accidents, says: “The MAIB is aware of 16 accidents that have occurred over the last five 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.”
MIN regularly reports on MAIB’s marine accident conclusions.
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