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2024 Red Sea tourist boat disaster
On 25 November 2024 the tourist boat Sea Story sank in the Red Sea. In the immediate aftermath, sixteen people were confirmed missing, including twelve foreigners and four Egyptians, while 28 others were rescued.[1] The survivors were found in the Wadi El Gemal area of the sea.[1] The warship El Fateh of the Egyptian Navy assisted in the rescue.[1] The next day, four people were found dead, while the number of missing was lowered to seven as five more were rescued alive.[2] BackgroundThe Red Sea coast is a major tourist destination in Egypt, however while dozens of dive boats operate every day the robust safety regulations are unevenly enforced. Earlier in November 2024, 30 people were rescued from a sinking boat near the Daedalus reef, in June 2024 24 French tourists were evacuated before the boat sank, and in 2023 three British tourists died after a fire broke out on their vessel.[3] Ship
The M/Y Sea Story was a four-deck motor yacht built out of wood in 2022. Measuring 44 meters in length and 9 meters in width, it was designed to accommodate 36 passengers and 12 crew members, including a captain, mechanical engineer, two cooks, two waiters, and six sailors. It was equipped with three generators, a Nitrox diving system, and three Coltri compressors. Two Zodiac speed boats, measuring 6.5 and 5.5 meters with 100 HP and 40 HP outboard motors respectively, supported diving activities. The yacht’s amenities featured 18 air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms, including four honeymoon suites, a lounge with a bar and entertainment system, and a separate dining area.[4][5] According to officials the boat had been inspected in March 2024 and there had been no issues found, and it had obtained a license for a year.[6] SinkingSea Story had left Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam on 23 November for a diving trip of seven days and was due to dock on 29 November in Hurghada.[3] The Egyptian Meteorological Authority had warned of expected high seas on 24 and 25 November and advised against maritime activity for both days.[7] According to reporters, the boat was carrying 31 tourists from Britain, USA, China, Finland, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Slovakia and Spain as well as 13 crew.[1][8][3] A large wave struck the boat causing it to capsize and sink 46 nautical miles from the shore off Marsa Alam in 5-7 minutes, before coming to rest mostly submerged about 12 metres below the water line, with about half a metre above the water line.[9][10] A distress signal was received from a member of the crew by the regional Red Sea control center at 5:30 a.m. local time.[7] Twenty-eight people were rescued the day of the sinking, many having been lost at sea for hours before being found by rescue vessels. [11] Some of the survivors were airlifted from the rescue vessels for medical treatment, while others were assisted on the vessels until a military frigate transported them back to shore. Red Sea Governor Major General Amr Hanafi indicated that military aircraft and naval units were still searching the day of the rescue for those still unaccounted for.[7] The day after the sinking it was announced that four additional people; two Belgians, one Egyptian and one Swiss nationals were recovered alive while four others were recovered dead.[6] According to a rescue diver some of the recovered passengers were caught in their cabins and unable to get out before the vessel sank.[11] While authorities have not confirmed nationalities of the tourists, the Chinese embassy reported two of their citizens were rescued; the Finnish foreign ministry that one of their citizens were missing; and the Polish foreign ministry confirmed that two of the tourists may have had Polish citizenship.[3] AftermathDivers who have dived with the company speculate that the boat was not as young as the owners claimed and that it wasn't built for open water. Past customers have complained about the lack of standards and safety equipment aboard the ships owned by the same company that owned M/Y Sea Story.[12] On 2 December 2024, the search for the rescue of the seven missing people was called off, but there was no official confirmation by the coast guard.[13] The incident, prompted a significant tightening of regulations for liveaboard boats operating in the Red Sea. In response to safety concerns raised by the incident, authorities began enforcing stricter requirements for crew qualifications and ship registrations. These regulations mandate that each vessel must have two licensed captains (one with a master mariner patent and one with a minor patent) and two trained mechanics with advanced engineering licenses. Additionally, all crew members must be formally registered with the ship, linking their names to its operational permit. While aimed at improving safety and accountability, these measures have led to widespread logistical and operational challenges due to a lack of qualified personnel, delays in issuing licenses, and the rigidity of the crew registration process. Operators have reported being vulnerable to extortion from crew members and struggling to find replacements for sudden absences, further complicating compliance. The new rules have sparked debates within the industry, with many calling for more practical solutions to balance safety concerns with operational feasibility.[14] On 16 December 2024, the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) raised serious concerns about the safety of Red Sea dive boats after the Sea Story capsized. This marked the third major Red Sea dive boat accident involving UK citizens in 20 months, following the Carlton Queen capsizing in April 2023 and the Hurricane fire in June 2023. In response to these incidents, the MAIB has issued a letter to the Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety highlighting its concerns and is preparing a safety bulletin to guide British divers considering dive holidays in the region. UK Foreign Office travel advice also cautions that safety standards among Red Sea diving operators vary significantly, with lower-cost providers often failing to meet adequate safety or insurance requirements. [15][16] See alsoReferences
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