Fire on safari boat Suzana in Egypt (Red Sea Aggressor)

[HalcyonDaze]

It's not like they happen every day.

Recent livaboard fire in US = all but one dead. Recent livaboard fire in Egypt = all but one alive.

Except that in this case, it appears to have been the same scenario - no alarm, passengers in their bunks, crew asleep. The only difference is the passengers smelled smoke and most of them got out in time. If this fire had happened at the same relative time as the Conception fire - 3 am local time instead of 12:30 am - everyone might have been sound asleep until it was too late and the result might well have been the same.

That said, it may be useful to compare factors such as possible cause/start location of the fire, speed of progression, and emergency exit options to determine if there were other reasons for the lower death toll.

 

[Dogbowl]

I know people used to laugh at @DandyDon when he spoke of all the safety devices he travelled with. I just told my husband of this most recent incident and he said that if we’re ever on a liveaboard again, we’ll be wearing PFDs to sleep, and bring smoke/CO detectors.

 

[DandyDon]

I know people used to laugh at @DandyDon when he spoke of all the safety devices he travelled with. I just told my husband of this most recent incident and he said that if we’re ever on a liveaboard again, we’ll be wearing PFDs to sleep, and bring smoke/CO detectors.

I'm sure I'll keep some laughing for some time, but I don't care. I think ensuring that you have a life vest each in your room and wearing it if you leave in any emergency will work better. For $17 and 10 ounces, I'd suggest taking the smoke & CO alarm on any overnight trip, anywhere.

 

[Kimela]

We've been on two different LOBs. If we were in our room and had a CO/smoke detector, by the time it registered anything I'd guess the fire outside of our room would have to be fairly involved and it would probably be too late. If we attached it to the wall outside our room we'd be better off. I have enjoyed our LOB experiences, but I'm a little frightened by these events.

 

[ReefHound]

I'm sure I'll keep some laughing for some time, but I don't care. I think ensuring that you have a life vest each in your room and wearing it if you leave in any emergency will work better. For $17 and 10 ounces, I'd suggest taking the smoke & CO alarm on any overnight trip, anywhere.

Keep a mask in your room too. Might help to keep smoke out of your eyes when evacuating.

 

[Bob DBF]

...if we’re ever on a liveaboard again, we’ll be wearing PFDs to sleep

I know what you mean, but never put on a floatation device until you are out in the open. In a cabin wearing a life jacket you can be trapped against the overhead and unable to escape. Having it with you is a good idea.



Bob

 

[John Bantin]

After too many liveaboard trips to count, I always slept with a grab-bag with a dive torch, my passport, phone and credit card - and kept the cabin door open. A smoke detector positioned outside your cabin is also a good idea. I only ever needed to abandon ship due to a fire, once - but I knew where the escape routes were. (Same, same for any hotel room). Many years ago, I went with a friend to do a liveaboard trip to Catalina (I cannot safely remember which boat) and decided not to go when I saw the passenger accommodation. After a long period as a member of crew on a liveaboard, I had an insight into the very many things that could go wrong.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I was on that boat. It was Suzana 1 aka Red Sea Aggressor 1, a diving boat from Aggressor company. We were on a Brothers-Daedalus-Elphinstone liveaboard. On Thursday (Oct 31) night, at approx 00:30am we were waken up by the smoke in our cabin (no fire alarm). Fire was already well advanced.
Most of us could escape by a small emergency exit to the main deck. The crew was sleeping above passengers’ cabins, so we woke most of them up.
It is not true that the American woman went back to get her laptop. No one on the boat said that. She did not even have a laptop with her on the boat.
We then had to jump into the water without life jackets because flames were already too big.
We got rescued by the only other diving boat standing nearby (Emperor).
We are still in Egypt as we all lost our passeport. The news has not been widespread yet. And by the way the pictures from the article seem to be from the event (the boat continued to burn for hours before in sunk in the morning).

I'm so sorry that you've been put through this but I hope Aggressor company is treating you all well whilst going through this.

Do you mind telling us what happened to the American woman, if she didn't go back for a laptop as we'd heard, how then was she lost? Do you know?

 

[Steve_C]

Do you mind telling us what happened to the American woman, if she didn't go back for a laptop as we'd heard, how then was she lost? Do you know?

I believe they said she did not go back for a laptop. Going back for something else was not ruled out. Also whether or not she woke up has not been established.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I believe they said she did not go back for a laptop. Going back for something else was not ruled out. Also whether or not she woke up has not been established.

Yes, that's why I was asking @Antho