Over the last 5 years, 16 accidents have occurred involving liveaboard dive vessels operating in the Red Sea. Three liveaboard dive boats have been lost in the last 20 months that resulted in numerous deaths including some UK nationals. Today, Marine Accident Investigation Branch has published safety advice aimed at people considering a dive boat holiday in the Red Sea.

The key safety issues identified were:

• The dive boats involved were poorly constructed and often substantially modified/extended 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• Essential lifesaving equipment was defective, out-of-date for service and, in some cases, missing.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 and crews appeared poorly trained and were unfamiliar with their vessels.

Safety recommendations:
Prospective customers are advised only to book liveaboard dive holidays through reputable 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.

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.