Undercover divers find fatal flaws in Egypt’s dive boat industry
A recent investigation by German magazine stern and broadcaster RTL has unveiled alarming safety issues within Egypt’s luxury liveaboard dive boat industry. The inquiry, focusing on the tragic sinking of the Sea Story in November 2024, highlights systemic failures that led to the deaths of 11 individuals, including tourists from various countries. The findings raise serious concerns about the safety protocols and regulatory oversight in this popular diving destination.
Investigation Reveals Systemic Failures
On November 25, 2024, the *Sea Story* capsized in the Red Sea while carrying 30 divers and 15 crew members. Initial reports attributed the disaster to a “giant wave,” but the investigation revealed that the sea conditions were far from extreme, with waves measuring only about two meters. Survivors reported that the water was calm when the boat began to list and ultimately sank.
The Hurghada public prosecutor’s office stated that the *Sea Story* should never have set sail. The captain lacked the necessary operating license, and the company, Dive Pro Liveaboards, did not have authorization to operate the vessel in open waters. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the cook, not the captain, was at the helm during the incident, and he was reportedly under the influence of drugs. Despite these serious violations, military officials at the port approved the voyage. Investigators also found significant structural deficiencies in the boat’s design, echoing previous reports about the *Sea Story*’s instability and inadequate safety equipment.
This investigation aligns with earlier findings from *Green Prophet*, which highlighted the poor safety standards of Dive Pro Liveaboards, including a previous fatal incident involving another vessel, the *Sea Legend*, in February 2024.
Undercover Audit Uncovers Widespread Safety Issues
To assess the broader safety standards in the liveaboard diving industry, *stern* and RTL conducted an undercover audit of 17 vessels across three Egyptian ports. The results were troubling, revealing that all inspected boats had safety deficiencies, with many categorized as serious or very serious. Key findings included:
– Inadequate life jackets and life rafts.
– Missing or inaccessible emergency exits on lower decks.
– Absence of essential navigation and communication equipment.
– Unsafe practices, such as smoking in engine rooms while diesel engines were running.
Marine engineer Mick Uberti, who reviewed the findings, confirmed that these results were consistent with his inspections over the past two years, noting that all eight ships examined were in poor condition. The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has also reported that many dive safari ships operating in the Red Sea are poorly constructed, raising further alarm about the safety of divers in the region.
Pattern of Accidents and Urgent Questions
The *stern* and RTL investigation highlights a disturbing trend of accidents in the Red Sea. Over the past three years, more than half of the world’s liveaboard dive boats that have sunk, burned, or run aground were operating off Egypt’s coast, a popular destination for European divers. Survivors of the *Sea Story* disaster reported a lack of safety drills and inadequate emergency preparations, suggesting that this tragedy is part of a larger safety crisis in the region.
The investigation raises critical questions for Egyptian regulators, including why licensing and vessel classification rules were overlooked, what inspections the *Sea Story* underwent before departure, and whether official weather advisories were ignored. Until these questions are addressed and meaningful reforms are implemented, divers and tourists may continue to face significant risks in Egyptian waters.
The full *stern* and RTL documentary, titled “Death Trap Red Sea – Journey into Disaster,” is set to air on September 11 at 6:45 p.m. CET on stern.de and RTL+.
