Route change from BDE to North

[scubadada]

Hi scubadada,

Their initial email stated the official reason: "due to unfavorable conditions in the BDE area, the operator has made the difficult decision to adjust the routes to North and Ras Mohamed".

I'm sure if I started prying whether it was related to the sinking of the Sea Story, regulatory pressure, or something else, I would get a no-answer, especially from the booking site, not the op itself. I might learn more from the crew while on the boat next week, although I doubt that.

Please post a trip report. I'm quite sure you would have many interested readers. You would imagine that they would be very attuned to safety issues.

Thanks

 

[Scuba-74]

Please post a trip report. I'm quite sure you would have many interested readers. You would imagine that they would be very attuned to safety issues.

Thanks

I don't typically do it, but I am planning to this time! I am interested to see if the notorious safety hatch opens, as well as the rules for charging batteries (I have three gadgets with lithium batteries not counting the phone). Bringing a dry bag to keep by the door for passport, water bottle, and light.

I've never had an issue with wind and waves and have been on boats in pretty rough seas, but ngl, if it gets choppy this time, it will make me feel uneasy. On the bright side, the Tillis does have a lower profile than the Sea Story.

 

[Valerii Vakshul]

El Quseir disaster - lots of oil in the sea

VSG Glory - Shipwreck Log

On the morning of November 23, the 100 meter long, 8191 dwt cargo vessel VSG Glory (IMO: 9103025) ran aground in the Red Sea off El Quseir, Egypt. The VSG Glory was en route to Port Tawfiq in Suez from Yemen with 4,000 tons of cargo. Proceeding in heavy seas and strong winds, the cargo

shipwrecklog.com

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

VSG Glory is completely gone meanwhile - see answer with short video in FB post here

 

[Dan]

Bringing a dry bag to keep by the door for passport, water bottle, and light.

Here’s mine (my iPhone has waterproof case, but it’ll be in the fanny drybag too).

 

[Scuba-74]

There has been a fun development. Yesterday we got an email that the trip was CANCELLED. We scrambled overnight to get on 2-3 different boats that are scheduled on the same dates, to no avail. This morning we got another email saying that it was a false alarm, and the trip is still ON. This type of thing is not something I need two days before departure...

I guess I'll believe it when the boat leaves the harbor. Stay tuned

 

[Dan]

Wow! What a roller coaster of emotions you are going through.

That’s why you have trip insurance!

I hope all is well in the end.

 

[Scuba-74]

Wow! What a roller coaster of emotions you are going through.

No kidding. Having a layover in Zurich both ways. Was so bummed out yesterday that seriously considered converting it from a dive vacation to a ski vacation, given that my airfare is non-refundable.

That’s why you have trip insurance!

Except I don't, this time. I should, but I don't.

 

[Dan]

Get it from Allianz. I go to about 8-10 trips / year. So I bought annual trip insurance.

Here’s my trip insurance info:
1-866-672-9580
Allianztravelinsurance.com
Executive 5000 $485
Start on September 27, 2024 for 365 days
Trip cancellation $5000
Trip Interruption $5000
Emergency Medical $50,000
Emergency Transportation $250,000
Baggage Loss/Damage $1,000
Baggage Delay $1,000
Travel Delay $1,600
Business Equipment Coverage $1,000
Business Equipment Rental Coverage $1,000
Change Fee Coverage $500
Travel Accident Coverage $50,000
Loyalty Program Redeposit Fee Coverage $500

 

[Scuba-74]

Get it from Allianz. I go to about 8-10 trips / year. So I bought annual trip insurance.

Here’s my trip insurance info:
1-866-672-9580
Allianztravelinsurance.com
Executive 5000 $485
Start on September 27, 2024 for 365 days
Trip cancellation $5000
Trip Interruption $5000
Emergency Medical $50,000
Emergency Transportation $250,000
Baggage Loss/Damage $1,000
Baggage Delay $1,000
Travel Delay $1,600
Business Equipment Coverage $1,000
Business Equipment Rental Coverage $1,000
Change Fee Coverage $500
Travel Accident Coverage $50,000
Loyalty Program Redeposit Fee Coverage $500

Nice coverage. I don't travel nearly as much, been on 2 trips (this is the 3d) this year, and that's about the most I do a year. I often buy trip insurance, for some reason I didn't this time. Lesson learned.