A fire aboard the Maldives liveaboard Yasawa Princess on the evening of 24 December 2025 led to the safe evacuation of all passengers and crew, with the vessel now confirmed to be out of service for the remainder of the current season.
In an official statement issued on 25 December, operator Deep Blue Dive Centers confirmed that the fire occurred at approximately 6pm local time. The vessel was carrying 17 guests and eight crew members at the time of the incident.
According to the operator, the crew immediately implemented all required fire safety and emergency response procedures. All guests and crew were evacuated safely, and no injuries were sustained.
Emergency services, including the Maldives National Defence Force and the Maldives Fire and Rescue Service, were promptly informed and took control of the firefighting and emergency response at the scene.
The operator stated that, due to the extent of the damage sustained, the Yasawa Princess is no longer operational and will not resume cruising during the current season. A full assessment of the vessel is ongoing, and further communication will follow regarding the handling of future bookings.
Deep Blue Dive Centers also requested that stakeholders refer to official reports and statements released by the relevant authorities as investigations continue. No cause of the fire has been publicly confirmed at this stage.
Liveaboard incidents of this nature are uncommon in the Maldives, but the event underscores the importance of effective emergency procedures and coordinated response between crew and national authorities in remote operating environments.
The Scuba News will continue to monitor the situation and publish updates as further official information becomes available.
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