Vessel Egyptian Royal Evolution liveaboard reefed - Red Sea

[DandyDon]

The initial report was found on Facebook at Zum Anzeigen anmelden oder registrieren with side comments about many belongings soaked in diesel...

Royal Evolution liveaboard out of Port Ghalib,Egypt drives straight onto Abu Dabab reef this morning. Multiple attempts to pull it off have failed. We have been evacuated to the Red Sea Explorer and don't know what is next. They are still trying to get the boat off the reef but we just want to get to land.

The company has issued a couple of statements...

Royal Evolution Issues Two Official Statements Following Grounding at Abu Dabbab - The Scuba News Egypt

Following yesterday’s reported grounding of the liveaboard Royal Evolution on the reef at Abu Dabbab, the vessel’s management team has released two official statements to clarify the situation and address circulating reports

www.thescubanews.com

 

[scubadada]

Very sad, but the Egyptian liveaboard industry has earned their current reputation. It's too bad if this has resulted in a decrease in participation on Red Sea liveaboards, quality operators could win this back.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

One day before the "initial" report quoted above:

Abu Dabbab: Royal Evolution runs aground on reef - Diveinside News

Abu Dabbab: Royal Evolution runs aground on reef - our report in category News in DiveInside - the fresh online magazine of Taucher.Net

taucher.net

 

[tridacna]

Ti

Very sad, but the Egyptian liveaboard industry has earned their current reputation. It's too bad if this has resulted in a decrease in participation on Red Sea liveaboards, quality operators could win this back.

Time to update the spreadsheet Craig…again.

 

[Endler's]

about many belongings soaked in diesel...

'Appears contradictory to, "the keel of Royal Evolution made light contact with the reef..."

 

[TostitoBandito]

Very sad, but the Egyptian liveaboard industry has earned their current reputation. It's too bad if this has resulted in a decrease in participation on Red Sea liveaboards, quality operators could win this back.

I'm skeptical that even the best intentioned operator could make a difference at this point.

You've got market forces dictating that they price trips so low that corners must be cut just to break even, even on the "good" boats. Sure a company could come in and charge $3-4K+ for 7 night trips with a solid/safe operation and new boats, but they'd never be able to fill their boats when there's dozens of boats for less than half the price competing directly with them. You can still easily find $1000-1500/week trips, and not just on the crappiest boats. Zero chance you're getting quality crew at that price, or maintenance of anything that guests might not immediately notice or complain about.

And then there's the Egyptian government, which is so inept and corrupt that it's completely incapable of regulating this industry to any meaningful degree. Until that changes, capitalism will be the sole driving force in the market and it will continue to be a race to the bottom for price and safety. Bribes will continue to be paid and unsafe boats with unqualified crews will continue to take guests.

The industry there isn't going to self-regulate. The only way this changes is probably to let the entire liveaboard/diving tourism market there completely collapse as the cycle of accidents and falling prices continues, and then maybe the government decides to take it more seriously due to big drops in visitors with $$$. And that's still a big maybe.

It's very sad. I'd love to dive the Red Sea and haven't yet had the opportunity to get there yet due to regional middle east instability and now this stuff. But there's no way I'd go there until there are clear and measurable improvements made.

 

[Endler's]

'Do feel sorry for the divers being put ashore, and missing their dives. What should compensation be, for lost dives?

With travel costs same, no matter number of dives, shouldn't guests be compensated for at least cost of travel? Prorated or no?

 

[Jcp2]

'Do feel sorry for the divers being put ashore, and missing their dives. What should compensation be, for lost dives?

With travel costs same, no matter number of dives, shouldn't guests be compensated for at least cost of travel? Prorated or no?

They chose a cheap price point, so they might be getting exactly what they paid for.

 

[TostitoBandito]

'Do feel sorry for the divers being put ashore, and missing their dives. What should compensation be, for lost dives?

With travel costs same, no matter number of dives, shouldn't guests be compensated for at least cost of travel? Prorated or no?

If you choose to go dive in Egypt you damn well better have trip insurance to cover things like this, and also an expectation that there is a not insignificant chance of serious injury or death due to negligence. My expectations of the liveaboard operators, who just crashed a boat into a reef, are essentially zero. And if you're expecting the legal system in Egypt to have your back if the operator breaches contract or exceeds the liability waiver, good luck with that. You've got to protect yourself if you're going to put yourself in risky situations like this.

This advice really applies to any major dive trip anywhere in the world, especially liveaboards. I know the one I just booked in Indonesia requires trip insurance to be carried. But for someplace like Egypt I'd pay extra special attention when selecting a policy.

 

[DandyDon]

My expectations of the liveaboard operators, who just crashed a boat into a reef, are essentially zero.

They really should know where those are shouldn't they?