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Safety standards of vessels operating in the Red Sea were heavily criticised last month by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

Investigators looked into the Sea Story tragedy which occured last November, which capsized. Eleven people drowned or are presumed dead.

They also studied previous dive-boat sinking. The investigators were focused on dive boats, but their remarks do not present Egyptian maritime safety in a positive light.

“The dive boats involved were poorly constructed and often substantially modified/extended, which resulted in some vessels exhibiting inadequate stability.

“Essential lifesaving equipment was defective, out-of-date for service and, in some cases, missing.

“The rapid spread of fire is indicative of poor structural fire protection, and items of essential safety equipment, such as fire detection systems and fire extinguishers, were either missing or defective.

“Emergency escape routes were via lockable doors, had no emergency lighting and were unmarked.

“Safety briefings to passengers were of a poor standard or not conducted at all.

“Crews appeared poorly trained and were unfamiliar with their vessels.”

The MAIB report also referenced earlier incidents. In June 2023, dive boat Hurricane caught fire and was abandoned near Elphinstone Reef in the Red Sea. Of the 29 people on board, three UK passengers remain unaccounted for and are presumed dead.