The UK Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has shared an update on Red Sea dive boat accidents.
The MAIB has been notified of three accidents within the last 20 months affecting UK citizens on Egyptian dive boats operating in the Red Sea. These include:
• the capsize of Carlton Queen on 24 April 2023 resulting in abandonment of the vessel with all passengers and crew rescued;
• a fire on Hurricane on 11 June 2023 resulting in the deaths of 3 UK nationals;
• the capsize of Sea Story on 25 November 2024 resulting in up to 18 fatalities/people missing, including 2 UK nationals.
Following the protocols in the IMO Casualty Investigation Code, the MAIB has formally registered the UK as a Substantially Interested State in the Egyptian safety investigations into these accidents.
From the evidence the MAIB has obtained so far there is cause for serious concern about the safety of some of the Egyptian dive boats operating in the Red Sea.
The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has written to the Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety (EAMS) setting out his concerns and seeking full participation in the EAMS investigations.
In the meantime, the MAIB is preparing a safety bulletin setting out the areas of concern that individuals intending an afloat-based diving holiday in the region should take into account before booking.
