Live aboard caught fire. looking for contacts in Hurghada

[justmyluck]

Hi all.

We are a group of 24 divers from the U.S. Long story short the M/Y Galaxy 720 was going to be out boat for the week. They had "mechanical issues" (there are rumors it was rented out from under us) put us on a boat called the M/Y Conceptum that had massive electrical issues. It caught on fire and lost electrical on route to Tiran Island. The fire never escalated and we made it back to port with no electrical. This morning we got word it was on fire in the New Marina in Hurghada.

Does anyone have good contacts in Egypt that could help us out?

We are scheduled to fly out of Hurghada to Cairo on the 8th. Unfortunately we are stuck in Hurghada with no plan until the 8th.

We're not really sure what to do at this point. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Get thee to Sharm. Organize a bus there and back or change flights. Check with Camel Divers Resort.

 

[ReefHound]

I am on this trip. First moments in our cabin we blew an outlet. Figured it was our adapter even though we had no device drawing current. Then a few hours later came into room to find 3 big spots on bed where oil was dripping from seams in ceiling panels. I think the oil probably seeped all over. Repeated blown plugs, electrical pops, smoke and smells. And these are just the highlights.

 

[Diving Dubai]

Get thee to Sharm. Organize a bus there and back or change flights. Check with Camel Divers Resort.

Sharm is a 100km boat ride Sharm to Cairo is a 7hr coach journey

Easier to either stay in Hurghada and go local diving on day boats - or go to El Gouna which is 30km away, and again diving on day boats - plenty of small hotels in both areas

Or fly to Cairo direct from Hurghada

 

[OceanEyes]

Glad that nobody was injured in the fire. I presume that it would be overly optimistic to hope to accommodate all 24 members of your party with one operator in your immediate time frame, but my only stab at a helpful suggestion is to see if Emperor Divers can provide you with assistance with diving, lodging, and transport logistics. I’ve used the operation in years past, and they’ve been more than satisfactory. Following is a link to their website. Sorry, but I don’t have a phone contact for them in Egypt.


Emperor Divers - Red Sea Diving Holidays

 

[KathyV]

Hi all.

We are a group of 24 divers from the U.S. Long story short the M/Y Galaxy 720 was going to be out boat for the week. They had "mechanical issues" (there are rumors it was rented out from under us) put us on a boat called the M/Y Conceptum that had massive electrical issues. It caught on fire and lost electrical on route to Tiran Island. The fire never escalated and we made it back to port with no electrical. This morning we got word it was on fire in the New Marina in Hurghada.

Does anyone have good contacts in Egypt that could help us out?

We are scheduled to fly out of Hurghada to Cairo on the 8th. Unfortunately we are stuck in Hurghada with no plan until the 8th.

We're not really sure what to do at this point. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

I am on this trip. First moments in our cabin we blew an outlet. Figured it was our adapter even though we had no device drawing current. Then a few hours later came into room to find 3 big spots on bed where oil was dripping from seams in ceiling panels. I think the oil probably seeped all over. Repeated blown plugs, electrical pops, smoke and smells. And these are just the highlights.

Will the liveaboard company provide any assistance? They must have contacts for local accommodations and with local dive ops. Are they going to refund your money?

Do you have travel insurance? You could try contacting the insurance company for advice.

I know that you are asking ideas about ways to save your dive vacation but just an FYI - here is information about contacting the US Counsel and Embassy in Cairo. If you call tomorrow they may be able to give you some helpful advice.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Egypt.html

So sorry this happened, good luck and I hope everything works out well.

 

[Altamira]

Check with the Ft. Arabesque Resort at Hurghada. It is an AI resort, with good food and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, on-site dive ship (excellent), and very good resort facilities, beach, and house reef.

 

[michael-fisch]

Stay away from any help from the embassy, if you're not in jail, you will be after they help.

Michael

 

[ReefHound]

Lots of “conflicting” info we have been told. The multiple electrical issues, heavy smoke in multiple cabins, and dark return to port is absolute fact. We were told boat burned in marina then later was just more smoke and electrical issues. We were told us embassy laughed at us. We were told in person by owner we would be refunded but he hemmed and hawed when asked WHEN. Eventually we took a bus and arrived at Royal Brayka resort in Marsa Alam at 9pm and are diving in the morning

 

[KathyV]

Lots of “conflicting” info we have been told. The multiple electrical issues, heavy smoke in multiple cabins, and dark return to port is absolute fact. We were told boat burned in marina then later was just more smoke and electrical issues. We were told us embassy laughed at us. We were told in person by owner we would be refunded but he hemmed and hawed when asked WHEN. Eventually we took a bus and arrived at Royal Brayka resort in Marsa Alam at 9pm and are diving in the morning

I am glad that you have found a place to finish your vacation and I hope that you have a nice time and get some good diving, please keep us informed!