A fire broke out today on a safari vessel moored in the harbour off Hurghada.
The boat was laid up for maintenance at the time of the incident and there were no guests on board. As of now, no injuries have been reported.
The vessel’s identity has not been officially confirmed. Local sources have suggested the boat may be Golden Dolphin II, however authorities have not yet released a formal statement verifying the name. The Scuba News will not confirm the vessel’s identity until official confirmation is provided.
The incident comes just weeks after fire destroyed the Golden Dolphin 3 liveaboard off Hurghada. In our previous coverage, Fire Destroys Golden Dolphin 3 Liveaboard Off Hurghada, we detailed how the vessel was lost following a serious onboard blaze earlier this year. That incident sent shockwaves through the Red Sea liveaboard community and raised renewed questions around onboard fire safety, response procedures, and marina infrastructure.
While there is currently no confirmed link between the two incidents, the timing will inevitably draw attention within the local diving industry, particularly given Hurghada’s position as one of the Red Sea’s busiest safari departure ports.
Emergency services responded to today’s fire and the situation is understood to be under control. The extent of the damage has not yet been publicly detailed, and the cause of the blaze remains unknown. Investigations are expected to follow.
Hurghada remains a major operational hub for liveaboard vessels running routes to Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone, and beyond. Fires involving vessels in harbour, especially while undergoing maintenance, are uncommon but can escalate rapidly depending on fuel load and onboard materials.
The Scuba News will update this developing story as more information becomes available.
Addendum: Golden Dolphin II Confirmed as Vessel Involved in Hurghada Harbour Fire
This article has been updated following official confirmation that the vessel involved in today’s harbour fire is Golden Dolphin II.
According to a statement issued by the Chamber of Diving and Watersports, the fire broke out aboard Golden Dolphin II while the safari yacht was docked and positioned on scaffolding for maintenance.
The Chamber confirmed that the fire started in the upper section of the vessel. There were no divers, guests, or practitioners on board at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported.
Civil Protection forces, working alongside the yacht’s crew, were able to bring the fire under control.
In its statement, the Chamber of Diving and Watersports confirmed that it is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with relevant authorities and stakeholders. The organisation expressed relief that no one was harmed and extended wishes for the continued safety of all workers involved.
This development comes just weeks after Golden Dolphin 3 was destroyed by fire off Hurghada, an incident that prompted renewed discussion around liveaboard safety protocols across the Red Sea fleet.
Investigations into the cause of the Golden Dolphin II fire are expected to follow. The Scuba News will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
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