Unknown Sea Story lob sinks

[Dan]

Good list, Dan. Would love to see your ratings of LoBs, as well.

What I really hope to see (maybe @John Bantin or Ben Davison will undertake a UC survey or include a safety "star" category on the UC review form) is a broad list of LoB's showing safety features. Boat safety is a whole topic that largely goes ignored in dive magazine/diver reviews alike. That's probably because most divers don't worry about things that won't happen. Well....

When picking/researching LoBs I'll: 1) reach out to previous divers who've written reviews in UC and SB and ask questions about safety features/conscienousness (e.g. multiple points of lower deck egress, 24 hour watches, briefings), 2) review deck plans to see if exits are indicated, 3) reach out to the boat itself and ask same, 4) just look at photos to get a sense for whether the thing is a slab sided scow ready to fall over in a stiff breeze. The Conception fire hit close to home and made me realize that I'd been kind of sleep walking on this topic the previous 30 years-I was on Vision during a near miss in 1993. No more, even though I still prefer older wood LoBs over steel.

Once on board I'll check out exit routes, whether the 24 hour watches exist, exit hatches actually open, etc. If I'm up in the middle of the night I'll creep around to see who's up. Like you, I have a water proof go bag hanging on the cabin door.

All this amounts to "doing the best I can" with the information I can get. There's a lot one can learn (informational and attitudinal) from just talking to people if it's a priority.

As far as LOB ratings, I would just state the obvious aspect, boat safety. Nautilus boats are the best in terms of boat safety.

We were participating in their safety drill on the fist day of the voyage. I wish all liveaboards are doing that, as talk is easy. Walk the talk is hard, but that gets you into the groove of safety being at utmost important and you know how to react when sh*t hits the fan.

 

[nippurmagnum]

Why single out just Dive Pro boats ?

Why not delist the Aggressor fleet and all the other operators who have had numerous incidents too ?

The Aggressor fleet has also had multiple incidents in the Red Sea, and I think their lack of transparency and concern for safety is also appalling. I am particularly focusing on Dive Pro because they've had two deadly accidents in one year, and I've personally observed serious flaws on their boat still in operation (the Tillis) as well as the owner's apparent indifference. But yes, it would be lovely if Liveaboard.com offered a carefully curated list of boats, that weeded out the known recurring offenders.

 

[roman50]

From December 6, 2024 Undercurrent:

The Red Sea Disaster

“…avoid Red Sea wooden-hulled vessels at all cost.”

That article is quite a BS speculation. The account of a Swiss survivor says that they have had afternoon dive AND a night dive and that everyone was sleeping. I have travelled this route down through Sataya and then to St.Johns number of times. Most od the route between the Sataya and Marsa is hidden from waves behind the reefs.

The egyptian captains are not stupid nor reckless... you can think what you want about some level of crew members but not the captains. The boats have good navigations and charts. But it is also true that some newer boats are built too tall and do not handle well.

With that night dive most likely scenario was that they were moored for the night. Also interesting factor the witness stating that the boat rocked on one side and then capsized on another. After sinking the Bayesian super yacht in Mediterranean waters this summer no one can exclude possibility of a huge wind gust or mini tornado if you will that could topple Sea Story while moored by the reef. Sea Story really was tall.

I am also trying to find a logic in what happened especially because I spend 4-5 safaris in Red Sea every year and after putting together the witness accounts and what I know about the location this would be my conclusion.

I am not sure what their original route was supposed to be, my guess for the yacht of this size they could have planned EDB route with end in Hurghada but because of the weather they have had to improvise. From where they sunk they still could have tried for Daedalus on Monday and then up north through Brothers to Hurghada since the weather was supposed to calm but who knows.

But anyway, no need to trash egyptian captains and Red Sea LOBs just because...

 

[BoltSnap]

I spend 4-5 safaris in Red Sea every year

Wow, that's a lot of experience. Can you tell us what are the top 4 safari boats in your experience in terms of safety, comfort, luxury, boat crew competence and professionalism, etc. please?

 

[scubadada]

Good list, Dan. Would love to see your ratings of LoBs, as well.

What I really hope to see (maybe @John Bantin or Ben Davison will undertake a UC survey or include a safety "star" category on the UC review form) is a broad list of LoB's showing safety features. Boat safety is a whole topic that largely goes ignored in dive magazine/diver reviews alike. That's probably because most divers don't worry about things that won't happen. Well....

When picking/researching LoBs I'll: 1) reach out to previous divers who've written reviews in UC and SB and ask questions about safety features/conscienousness (e.g. multiple points of lower deck egress, 24 hour watches, briefings), 2) review deck plans to see if exits are indicated, 3) reach out to the boat itself and ask same, 4) just look at photos to get a sense for whether the thing is a slab sided scow ready to fall over in a stiff breeze. The Conception fire hit close to home and made me realize that I'd been kind of sleep walking on this topic the previous 30 years-I was on Vision during a near miss in 1993. No more, even though I still prefer older wood LoBs over steel.

Once on board I'll check out exit routes, whether the 24 hour watches exist, exit hatches actually open, etc. If I'm up in the middle of the night I'll creep around to see who's up. Like you, I have a water proof go bag hanging on the cabin door.

All this amounts to "doing the best I can" with the information I can get. There's a lot one can learn (informational and attitudinal) from just talking to people if it's a priority.

Hi @Kendall Raine

I'm all for Undercurrent and ScubaBoard having a safety rating for liveaboard reviews based on an objective checklist system. I have tried very hard to include that information in my trip reports since 2019.

 

[roman50]

Wow, that's a lot of experience. Can you tell us what are the top 4 safari boats in your experience in terms of safety, comfort, luxury, boat crew competence and professionalism, etc. please?

Hero is perfect, low rear deck, wide, VERY stable
Aphrodite one of the nicest
Nimar big wide stable
.... these are like part of the first league which I consider also stable. There is also Martina Explorer, new addition but too tall to my taste and never been on it. Just know the owners saw plans as it was for sale and was offered to me.

... and small league I was on but like whatever - C-heaven I was before renovation, is supposed to be nice and beautiful now. Stable.
Martina small stable and renovated but not open to general public. Mostly Czech diving clubs on it as it is owned by Czech diver.

P.S. Forgot the crews ... it's a hit and miss at times. Captain and chefs always perfect. The general crew... well.. always try to help but sometimes you have to watch your expensive camera equipment so it is not 'overhelped' - with good intentions but horrible outcome...

 

[encarnizado]

With that night dive most likely scenario was that they were moored for the night.

Sea Story went on further south after the night dive.

 

[roman50]

Sea Story went on further south after the night dive.

Do you know their planned itinerary? Also would appreciate link to info they moved through the night

 

[Dan]

That article is quite a BS speculation. The account of a Swiss survivor says that they have had afternoon dive AND a night dive and that everyone was sleeping. I have travelled this route down through Sataya and then to St.Johns number of times. Most od the route between the Sataya and Marsa is hidden from waves behind the reefs.

The egyptian captains are not stupid nor reckless... you can think what you want about some level of crew members but not the captains. The boats have good navigations and charts. But it is also true that some newer boats are built too tall and do not handle well.

With that night dive most likely scenario was that they were moored for the night. Also interesting factor the witness stating that the boat rocked on one side and then capsized on another. After sinking the Bayesian super yacht in Mediterranean waters this summer no one can exclude possibility of a huge wind gust or mini tornado if you will that could topple Sea Story while moored by the reef. Sea Story really was tall.

I am also trying to find a logic in what happened especially because I spend 4-5 safaris in Red Sea every year and after putting together the witness accounts and what I know about the location this would be my conclusion.

I am not sure what their original route was supposed to be, my guess for the yacht of this size they could have planned EDB route with end in Hurghada but because of the weather they have had to improvise. From where they sunk they still could have tried for Daedalus on Monday and then up north through Brothers to Hurghada since the weather was supposed to calm but who knows.

But anyway, no need to trash egyptian captains and Red Sea LOBs just because...

It happened @ 5:30 AM, many hours after the night dive.

@John Bantin do you have any rebuttal to @roman50 comments?

 

[Bookworm11]

I am on the Velocean Jan 8-16, and then staying on at a land resort for another 10 days since its so dang far to get there. My local dive shop chartered the whole boat, and I've got a solo suite to myself with a picture window. I wouldn't have gone except for the owner pushing me to go, and I've never traveled in a group. It should be a great time. It also may mean I won't have to worry about livea boards because I may not be willing to step down from the Velocean.

I am a lawyer, so I am pretty careful with words and very careful with safety. I have no issue with a pony bottle per se. I just was trying to point out , and I didn't manage to do so, that a pony bottle won't help much if you are on a poorly designed boat. Even having a go kit and other things won't help if a boat goes down as fast as the CA dive ship that burned up with all the divers on it.

I have a full jacket BCD and have been very glad to have it as I've been out before a dive and more frequently after a dive, especially in Cozumel, waiting to get picked up in up to 3 foot swells. That jacket keeps me floating like a cork! (Its a Scuba pro Lady Bella!) It also has lots of places to hook gear, and I need a Cautious Next-gen and a strobe light before I go to Raja.