This morning in Egypt ...
- Thread starter John Bantin
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In the video John Bantin posted you can see crew members (based on their attire) hanging from foredeck rails and dropping into a skiff or the water. That doesn't completely answer the egress question but suggests that there was.
In one of the FB videos you can see the explosion and the intensification of the fire from, I assume, a sudden influx of O2--or Nitrox. We are three days back from a liveaboard trip and this feels close to "home."
I remember a few years ago a US liveaboard caught fire- maybe the culprit was a battery charger in one of the guest's rooms. Anyway, I think the emergency exit was blocked and the only exit through the stairs was on fire- a hellish death trap, don't remember the desth toll but it was horrible. Owners of California dive boat faulted for fire that killed 34
I have been goong on Sinai/Egypt liveaboards some 2-3 times a year. On last October, the fist day there was an explosion in the engine room- probably involving the nitrox compressor and a cigarette- the mechanic was injured with nasty, deep, really deep cuts on the arm and legs. Checked the emergency kit and there were no serious bandages other than some non sterile gauze pads and plasters. The bleeding was not serious enough for a tourniquet, so improvized with pressing towels. Luckily, we were just half an hour from Umbarak's jetty, an ambulance was waiting for evacuation by the time we arrived.
A few years ago a boat we've visitied on several safaries , the Sea Queen, was lost with all hands on the way to dry dock.
Another Safari was capsized last month.
I know of at least two other safari boats that sunk in the last ten years.
Once a guest needed oxygen and there was a full tank but without a regulator and oxygen maks to be found anywhere.
Don't know any statistics everywhere else, so can't compare, but since these incidents I mentioned, first thing I do when boarding a liveaboard is to check that there are life rafts and was surprised that not always there were any, check the oxygen emergency cylinder and that it has reg/mask, check life jackets in the room, location of fire extinguishers, inspect the emergency kit- and whether there is an emergency exit in the front.
The latter is important, because if there is a fire most likely in the engine room or compressor at the back, and the only way out is the main stairs- also at the back- it is a death trap. And, in all the safaries I've been in the last years, different boats and operators, not a single time there was an emergency hatch in the front or ot existed but was blocked from the outside by anchors, ropes or some other heavy stuff... All this takes about five minutes of my life.
I am not paranoid, but we go to safari with wife and kids and I really do not trust Egyptian standards.
Anyway, last trip a week ago, when we docked on the way home an inspector from CDWS came aboard, explained they are checking whether the boat complies with ISO standards, asked us guests several questions (in front of the crew) about whether we dived alone, had briefings, was the dive conducted according to plan, was the food adequate and that sort of BS questions. He then inspected the pages where we were asked to sign after each dive after writing down the depth, time, how much air in and out, nitrox % and mod. That kind of BS.
I saw the inspector checking the medical. aid box, and then we disembarked so ai don't know what else was inspected, but I suspect the blocked emergency exit was not one of them..
On the other hand, this is the first time in dozens of Safaries that I witnessed an inspection other than being boarded by the Egyptian navy to inspect the guest's passports and visas, so maybe it is a change, or they are trying to root out liveaboard operators of questionable reputation- and there are way too many of these, unlicensed boats operating there.
I have been goong on Sinai/Egypt liveaboards some 2-3 times a year. On last October, the fist day there was an explosion in the engine room- probably involving the nitrox compressor and a cigarette- the mechanic was injured with nasty, deep, really deep cuts on the arm and legs. Checked the emergency kit and there were no serious bandages other than some non sterile gauze pads and plasters. The bleeding was not serious enough for a tourniquet, so improvized with pressing towels. Luckily, we were just half an hour from Umbarak's jetty, an ambulance was waiting for evacuation by the time we arrived.
A few years ago a boat we've visitied on several safaries , the Sea Queen, was lost with all hands on the way to dry dock.
Another Safari was capsized last month.
I know of at least two other safari boats that sunk in the last ten years.
Once a guest needed oxygen and there was a full tank but without a regulator and oxygen maks to be found anywhere.
Don't know any statistics everywhere else, so can't compare, but since these incidents I mentioned, first thing I do when boarding a liveaboard is to check that there are life rafts and was surprised that not always there were any, check the oxygen emergency cylinder and that it has reg/mask, check life jackets in the room, location of fire extinguishers, inspect the emergency kit- and whether there is an emergency exit in the front.
The latter is important, because if there is a fire most likely in the engine room or compressor at the back, and the only way out is the main stairs- also at the back- it is a death trap. And, in all the safaries I've been in the last years, different boats and operators, not a single time there was an emergency hatch in the front or ot existed but was blocked from the outside by anchors, ropes or some other heavy stuff... All this takes about five minutes of my life.
I am not paranoid, but we go to safari with wife and kids and I really do not trust Egyptian standards.
Anyway, last trip a week ago, when we docked on the way home an inspector from CDWS came aboard, explained they are checking whether the boat complies with ISO standards, asked us guests several questions (in front of the crew) about whether we dived alone, had briefings, was the dive conducted according to plan, was the food adequate and that sort of BS questions. He then inspected the pages where we were asked to sign after each dive after writing down the depth, time, how much air in and out, nitrox % and mod. That kind of BS.
I saw the inspector checking the medical. aid box, and then we disembarked so ai don't know what else was inspected, but I suspect the blocked emergency exit was not one of them..
On the other hand, this is the first time in dozens of Safaries that I witnessed an inspection other than being boarded by the Egyptian navy to inspect the guest's passports and visas, so maybe it is a change, or they are trying to root out liveaboard operators of questionable reputation- and there are way too many of these, unlicensed boats operating there.
Once again all crew and the captain are fine but some guests are not.
What happened to “the captain goes down with the ship” mentality? It seems like it’s “everyman for himself” these days… sad!
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In my last liveaboard a week ago I was in the front cabin, and from curiosity I tried emergency exit hatch- it was firmly stuck wouldn't budge at all. Later I went to the bow and discovered why- several spare anchors and thick ropes were blocking it. Not really helpful in case of emergency, isn't it?
I understand that also on the fire on Aggressor I (Elphinstone, 1 dead tourist) the hatch was blocked..
drrich2
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