Is Egypt Getting an Unfair Reputation When It Comes to Liveaboards?

[Trailboss123]

Just back from a week on Aggressor V, deep south route. I thought they ran a very safe boat and had good safety briefings before every dive. A couple of incidents in the water where the guides fell short. One where a guide left our group of 6 during a night dive. Another where the plan was to go half way around a reef and then turn back. We never turned, bc the guide decided to finish circling the reef, but didn't communicate that. I was low on air and signaled that to him and that I was going to head back. He should have told me it was much shorter to keep going, but didn't. I got back with 500 psi, so it was fine, but I thought it was poorly handled.

However, the other lobs going out of Port Hamata looked dodgy af. I would have had a hard time going out on those boats based on their appearance, their crews and even the passengers. Aggressor V was in good shape and I felt safe aboard. Like others have said, do as much research as you can before choose, as most boats looked sketchy.

PS - I thought the diving was just okay. Will do a trip report on it.

 

[Searcaigh]

A good friend and dive buddy of mine just returned from Egypt a couple of weeks ago having dived on MY Mermaid for a week with a group from Dubai.

The boat is run by Egyptian Cruising Company

She has had a fair bit of experience diving LOBs in the Maldives and SE Asia, and this is what she told me.

There was a safety briefing before departure, but they were not physically shown any of the escape routes or how any of the equipment worked.

Her berth was below the waterline and frequently smelled of diesel.

Despite being told not to charge any electrical items in the cabins, many people were doing this.

Food was mediocre

When diving the Salem Express, they were told not to penetrate the wreck for respect to those who lost their lives, but the guide took them into the wreck anyway

I don't think I would be happy with this, and of course if you turn up and refuse to go on then you lose your money.

Standards need to be raised.