Red Sea liveaboard Emperor Fraser sinks

ArthurGerla · Dec 18, 2009

At approximately 16:30 hrs on 16th December Red Sea liveaboard, Emperor Fraser, was moored at Dunraven near Sharm el Sheikh. While the 11 guests on board, from the UK, Australia, Finland and Holland, were doing their second dive of the day the wind direction changed suddenly causing the rear mooring lines to break free. With divers underwater the captain was unable to start the engines in order to prevent the boat from colliding with the reef, causing a breach in the hull.

The crew immediately recalled the divers and attempted to plug the rupture. However, this proved impossible and the captain took the decision to abandon ship onto the zodiacs.

Emperor Fleet headquarters helped coordinated the rescue, which included the Egyptian Navy and other dive boats. All guests, guides and crew were picked up by the Egyptian Navy and taken to the nearest port, Sharm el Sheikh, where they were met by Emperor staff, provided with new clothes and taken to the Hilton Dreams Hotel.

Emperor Divers would like to express their thanks to the Egyptian Navy and CDWS for their assistance.

Emperor Divers is deeply regretful that this unfortunate accident has affected our guests' holiday and is doing everything possible to provide them with diving in the Sharm and Hurghada areas before they fly home. Sadly the Emperor Fraser, a favoured boat for many divers over the past few years, is unsalvageable. Guests with a forward booking on Fraser will be contacted by Emperor Reservations to discuss alternatives or contact info.safaris@emperordivers.com

Source: Emperor

=C= · Dec 18, 2009

Atleast they saved their gear!!! probably the msot expensive items they had with them on the trip.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-incidents/315956-liveaboard-sinks-egyptian-red-sea.html

Lord Melch · Dec 20, 2009

Damn that's a shame, glad all are OK. Wonder how the reef suffered..

That must be most odd, having a great dive, turn around and see the dive boat - underwater !!

Hey at least Emporer Divers have their own permanent Wreck

Red Sea Shadow · Dec 21, 2009

Lord Melch:
Hey at least Emporer Divers have their own permanent Wreck

She was split into two. Being made of wood, I doubt she will maintain her location for a long time.

Lord Melch · Dec 23, 2009

:shocked2: as mentioned at least no one was injured. I guess they are insured..

divebunnie · Dec 27, 2009

Any kind of dive accident is never good news. Thankfully no one was hurt, and even some possessions recovered.

Sadly the boat is no more. And as Red Sea Shadow said, it will no doubt get broken down pretty quickly, so I don't think it will become a new feature of the dive site.

KaitsuK · Feb 25, 2012

Emperor Fraser / June 2011: Diving wreck of Emperor Fraser liveboard - YouTube

Red Sea Leonfish · Feb 27, 2012

That's a fantastic video - thank you for posting the link.

What depth is the wreck resting at?

cjibber · Mar 1, 2012

Red Sea Leonfish:
That's a fantastic video - thank you for posting the link.

What depth is the wreck resting at?

I have dived it a couple of times and, according to my log book, the max depth was 26 - 28m. I would say that this is probably the deepest part of the wreck.

Topper1972 · Mar 2, 2012

I dove it 27/2 2012. My dc logged 29½ meters for the sandy bottom on which the wreck rests. Already some nice soft coral growth on the port side. Possibility of some nice photos of glassfish around what used to be the dive deck. Top structure is missing...presumably removed in some effort to salvage items. It is very, very close to the wreck of the Dunraven (not more than 150 meters away, I would guess). It is marked by a black buoy.

Red Sea liveaboard Emperor Fraser sinks

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