In the past couple of years, a string of accidents involving liveaboards, some of which sadly resulted in fatalities, have made headlines in the general press. This magazine did not report on the various incidents at the time, as we did not want to add to sensationalism or unfounded speculation. The incidents involved three liveaboards in the Red Sea and one in the Maldives.

In the Red Sea, in April 2023, the Carlton Queen capsized, resulting in the loss of the vessel with all passengers and crew rescued, and in June 2023, the MV Hurricane caught fire, resulting in the deaths of three passengers. In November 2024, Sea Story capsized in the Red Sea with the loss of 18 people, while Blue Voyager caught fire while docked in the Maldives.

What have we found out?

As of this writing, it is not yet known what caused most of these incidents. Speaking to Master Liveaboards, which lost a vessel due to a fire while undergoing refurbishment in a dock, investigations have not shed any light on the cause of the fire, which broke out when no one was on board. No welding or use of power tools was taking place that day, and the cause is still unknown. We also spoke to a range of liveaboard operators at the Boot expo who unequivocally ruled out any foul play, i.e., insurance fraud. The vessels that were lost were all new and well-maintained, so what is going on?

A random streak of unrelated misfortunes?

We have not been able to find any commonality between these incidents, so there probably is none. As for the fires, lithium batteries used in cameras, lamps, phones, laptops, scooters, etc., are easily a likely suspect, but all the operators we spoke to have implemented strict rules about charging and have set up designated areas where devices can be charged. Crews are also trained and drilled to check for fire hazards.  

In the case of the Sea Story, it was apparently hit by a big freak wave in the middle of the night, which threw the vessel on its side. One operator commented that liveaboard vessels are much smaller than liners and ferries and will, therefore, always be more susceptible to storms and bad weather in open seas. Does that make them inherently unsafe?

SOLAS Convention

There is always a risk every time we step outside our front door and go places, whether we go on a bus tour, road trip or sailing. But liveaboards, at least in regulated jurisdictions, which include the main liveaboard itineraries, must meet SOLAS standards. 

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is an international maritime treaty that sets minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment and operation of merchant ships. Many countries have turned these international requirements into national law, so anyone at sea who is in breach of the requirements may find themselves subject to legal proceedings.

SMB requirements

In the Red Sea, where 7,500 safaris (liveaboards) take place every year, there is plenty of marine traffic that can quickly come to the aid of a stricken vessel, an operator pointed out. She added that on her operation’s safaris, it was mandatory that patrons not only carry a surface marker buoy but can also demonstrate its use.

UK investigation

The UK government’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) became involved because British nationals were among the dead and missing. In a press statement issued on 16 December 2024, the MAIB stated: “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 (…) 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.”

On 28 January, as this issue was about to go to press, we contacted the MAIB, which stated that it was not quite ready to elaborate on what grounds it had for its serious concerns but that a report was about to be published, which would be sent to us and shared with our readers.

Our take

Today’s liveaboards are generally of a high standard, and it is our understanding and impression from many years in the industry and numerous interviews that operators take the safety of their guests very seriously, equip their vessels with new safety equipment and train their crews well. 

Go with a reputable operator, and it will be as safe as it gets and an enjoyable adventure. ■