MAIB expresses "cause for serious concern" about Red Sea dive tour boats' safety

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has been notified of three accidents within the last 20 months affecting UK citizens on Egyptian dive boats operating in the Red Sea.

The three accidents include: the capsize of Carlton Queen on April 24, 2023, resulting in abandonment of the vessel with all passengers and crew rescued; a fire on Hurricane on June 11, 2023, resulting in the deaths of three UK nationals; the capsize of Sea Story on November 25, 2024, resulting in up to 18 fatalities/people missing, including two 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 for publication setting out the areas of concern that individuals intending an afloat-based diving holiday in the region should take into account before booking.

The International Maritime Organization Casualty Investigation Code can be found here.