In a somber conclusion to a maritime tragedy that unfolded in November 2024, Egyptian authorities have officially declared seven individuals dead following the sinking of the liveaboard vessel Sea Story near Sataya Reef, north of Marsa Alam. Among the deceased are five foreign nationals—two British, two Polish, and one German tourist—alongside two Egyptian citizens.
Incident Overview
The Sea Story, operated by Dive Pro Liveaboard, was on a diving expedition with 31 tourists and 13 crew members when it encountered severe weather conditions. High waves struck the vessel, causing it to capsize rapidly in the early hours of November 25, 2024. Initial reports indicated that the vessel had passed its last safety inspection eight months prior, with no technical issues reported.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the incident, the Egyptian Naval Base Control Center initiated search and rescue operations, deploying a helicopter and marine units from Bernice Harbor to the suspected location. These efforts led to the rescue of 35 individuals, including the captain, nine crew members, two dive guides, and sixteen guests. However, the challenging conditions hampered immediate recovery of all passengers.
Notably, five passengers were found alive after spending over 24 hours trapped in their cabins, surviving by breathing from small air pockets. Their rescue highlighted both the perils faced and the resilience displayed during the ordeal.
Official Declaration and Aftermath
On May 19, 2025, Egyptian authorities formally declared the seven missing individuals dead, bringing closure to the incident. This declaration was made after exhaustive search efforts failed to locate the remaining victims.
The Sea Story tragedy underscores the inherent risks associated with maritime activities and the importance of rigorous safety protocols. As the diving community reflects on this loss, there is a renewed emphasis on enhancing safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
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I was on Discovery 2 last October,out of the same port no life jackets on board, only buoyancy aids, I tried to explain to the dive masters the difference and that only life jackets are designed to keep you afloat, but they didn’t get it. I assume most liveaboards in the Red Sea are the same