Liveaboard burns - Egypt

[kelemvor]

If it hits the fan, a small bug-out-bag, pre prepped, can be handy. Ideally, you'll have things like wallet/passport/tickets in it too, but sometimes the boat may take into 'custody' passports/C-cards into the ship's safe so you may not have this option in all cases.

Wow, is it legal for them to take your identification? I've never been on a livaboard but I think I'd be very uncomfortable surrendering my passport to anyone.

 

[KathyV]

Wow, is it legal for them to take your identification? I've never been on a livaboard but I think I'd be very uncomfortable surrendering my passport to anyone.

I've only seen that happen when we are docking in ports in different countries during the trip, like if you leave from Florida and travel to the Bahamas, or when we traveled from St. Marten to St. Kitts and Saba. Rather than having to go through customs and immigration in every port, the Captain takes all the passports and gets permission for his passengers to disembark for a short visit. It's never been a problem.

Since this boat was traveling entirely within Egypt, I can't see any reason why the passengers would be asked to hand over their passports.

 

[Cert1967]

Wow, is it legal for them to take your identification? I've never been on a livaboard but I think I'd be very uncomfortable surrendering my passport to anyone.

Surrender your passport? You are on a boat together - what are they going to do with it that is harmful? Most boats want a copy prior to arrival.

We were recently on the Indo Siren and they asked us for our passports at the send of the safety briefing and drills. The cruise director explained he would keep them with the boats "go bag" - along with a portable EPRIB, SAT phone, passenger list, crew list and I can't remember what else.

For me, I wouldn't want to be trying to get out of my cabin in the event of a fire while a dozen or so other passengers are rushing to their cabins for passports and who knows what else. Perhaps in the way of the crew fighting the fire? Worse your fellow passengers might return to their cabins to pack up prior to boarding the life raft. Just look at the Asiana crash videos to see the stuff passengers were hauling off a burning plane.

Emergency? Get me out safely, the heck with the passport.

Think about it. You are on a boat with say 12-18 other passengers and crew - in a remote area of Indonesia/Palau/RedSea/Other - if the crew is up to no good the least of your worries is your passport.

When I first traveled to Europe it was common for hotels to hold your passport during your stay. And the key to your room while you were out and about. Made cashing travelers' checks at AMEX a bargaining effort.

Let's see - the boat is on fire and sinking - my first concern wouldn't be my passport.

 

[DandyDon]

Wow. This is so crazy! I'm glad everyone is safe. It will be interesting to see what ends up happening with the owner of the boat and the operation that it runs under. I wonder how sticky the insurance claims are going to be, assuming that the passengers bought dive liveaboard insurance?

It's Egypt. I wouldn't expect any rules or laws to matter much. Good trip insurance would help a lot, but I don't think many buy such. I do anytime I leave the US, but can't convince my daughter. She did get cheap insurance for a trip to China, then my granddaughter lost her passport! What an ordeal. They got out a few days late, and under budget enough that the cheap insurance covered expenses, but they were limited. She got the better insurance for this years trips.

I remember a group trip to Cozumel during hurricane season. We discussed trip insurance companies and coverages extensively, but most didn't get any. When we all had to escape before a strong storm could hit, most had to pay a lot. We should have canceled the trip before we went, but were just too hopeful - then chickened out. They were moaning about their losses while I reminded them of how they saved so much not buying insurance. I'm not known for my personality.

If you are not familiar with how to use a fire extinguisher - you can indeed make any fire worse...

A grease fire or kitchen fire is one of the more tricky fires. If you disturb - blow the extinguisher into the grease or pot holding the flammable liquid - you can push the burning liquid over the edge and onto other flammable material or it can run down a cabinet or stove top while burning. You need to lay the foam or extinguishing agent onto the fire without disturbing the liquid - but the entire surface must be covered or the part that is not will continue to burn. This will smoother the fire - very much like putting a lid on the pan or pot - once it is outside of the burning container - you best have your wits about you and know what you are doing.

I am surmising - since I was not there the crew had very little experience at putting out grease fires which behave a whole lot different than paper and wood products. Yes the ABC extinguisher can be used - but understanding the fire and how to use the extinguisher is critical to putting out the fire.

Good point. My can of baking soda sounds better but I guess it wouldn't smother the whole fire. I do always cook with lids, and use them.

 

[outofofficebrb]

It's Egypt. I wouldn't expect any rules or laws to matter much. Good trip insurance would help a lot, but I don't think many buy such. I do anytime I leave the US, but can't convince my daughter. She did get cheap insurance for a trip to China, then my granddaughter lost her passport! What an ordeal. They got out a few days late, and under budget enough that the cheap insurance covered expenses, but they were limited. She got the better insurance for this years trips.

I remember a group trip to Cozumel during hurricane season. We discussed trip insurance companies and coverages extensively, but most didn't get any. When we all had to escape before a strong storm could hit, most had to pay a lot. We should have canceled the trip before we went, but were just too hopeful - then chickened out. They were moaning about their losses while I reminded them of how they saved so much not buying insurance. I'm not known for my personality.

I've bought dive travel/liveaboard insurance 3 times now and have not had to use it. I might start to feel like I'm not getting my money's worth, but it's definitely one of those things that offers peace of mind and kind of hope you never have to use it. I don't imagine something as dramatic as a burning liveaboard and having to abandon ship, but even slight delays or interruptions to cause enough of a headache to have to catch up to travel plans or broken compressors, lost gear, etc...Yikes!

I'm with you on this one.

 

[DandyDon]

I've bought dive travel/liveaboard insurance 3 times now and have not had to use it. I might start to feel like I'm not getting my money's worth, but it's definitely one of those things that offers peace of mind and kind of hope you never have to use it.

For a cruise or liveaboard, it seems pretty essential to me. Miss your boat and you're screwed! Many don't tho. My daughter won't, but at least she takes my advice and arrives at the port city the day before sailing. There are other risks tho, with big loss potentials.

 

[kelemvor]

Surrender your passport? You are on a boat together - what are they going to do with it that is harmful? Most boats want a copy prior to arrival.

We were recently on the Indo Siren and they asked us for our passports at the send of the safety briefing and drills. The cruise director explained he would keep them with the boats "go bag" - along with a portable EPRIB, SAT phone, passenger list, crew list and I can't remember what else.

For me, I wouldn't want to be trying to get out of my cabin in the event of a fire while a dozen or so other passengers are rushing to their cabins for passports and who knows what else. Perhaps in the way of the crew fighting the fire? Worse your fellow passengers might return to their cabins to pack up prior to boarding the life raft. Just look at the Asiana crash videos to see the stuff passengers were hauling off a burning plane.

Emergency? Get me out safely, the heck with the passport.

Think about it. You are on a boat with say 12-18 other passengers and crew - in a remote area of Indonesia/Palau/RedSea/Other - if the crew is up to no good the least of your worries is your passport.

When I first traveled to Europe it was common for hotels to hold your passport during your stay. And the key to your room while you were out and about. Made cashing travelers' checks at AMEX a bargaining effort.

Let's see - the boat is on fire and sinking - my first concern wouldn't be my passport.

I think I'd look upon someone other than an official in a port asking for my passport with extreme suspicion. Unless I was banking and in that case I expect it right back after they inspect it.

Maybe I wouldn't do well in that part of the world. My only international travel has been to Mexico, and only the border guys at the airport wanted to see my passport - and they certainly didn't keep it.

A hotel or boat outside the us wanting to keep my passport seems like a hotel or boat in the us wanting to keep my drivers license. Neither is going to happen. They can see it, maybe make a copy of it.

 

[Darnold9999]

I get that in a fire you don't want to add to chaos but if I am in my cabin and the call is to abandon ship I will be taking my passport and credit card. Being on a 3rd world country with no passport and no money is something to avoid.

 

[outofofficebrb]

I have been on a few large cruises (Royal Caribbean) where they keep your passport the entire time you are on board. It comes back to you at the end of the sailing with all the stamps/visas from the ports you've been to if required to have one there. Of course, this is for a completely different reason and is also prior to my dive life. Now I won't get caught on a cruise because I'd rather be on a liveaboard instead.

 

[KathyV]

When US citizens apply and are approved for Global Entry status - which includes Pre-TSA status and expedited passage through immigration - they receive a plastic, picture id global entry card that contains your passport number. The cards have radio frequency identification chips and can be used in many cases for entry into the US - but they probably aren't accepted by foreign immigration departments.

Still they are plastic and the size of a credit card so they are waterproof and would be easy to carry, and might come in handy if you need to try and replace your passport in a foreign country.


Global Entry Card | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Using Your Global Entry Card

We accept Global Entry cards for lawful U.S. entry at land and sea ports of entry.

Global Entry cards have radio frequency identification chips, which enable their use at Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) and NEXUS travel lanes when entering the United States at the land borders. You must follow all program rules for SENTRI when using this card at the Southern land border ports of entry.

You may use this card for expedited entry into the United States via the SENTRI and NEXUS lanes. The card is not valid for entry into Canada via the NEXUS lanes.

Only your passport or lawful permanent resident card are accepted at Global Entry kiosks. The Global Entry card cannot be used at Global Entry kiosks. NEXUS cards are accepted at Global Entry kiosks located on Canadian Preclearance Airports.