Red Sea liveaboard fire

[Sunn]

Divers that are interested in Red Sea diving should be aware of this recent incident. No need to discuss it here, there is a thread in the Accidents forum.

Fire on safari boat Suzana in Egypt

It's life...

Sometimes a fire happens, sometimes the boat hits a reef and sinks ... inch'Allah...

 

[Dan]

I thought I would be in RSA 2 this December 21-28 trip (less than a month) until I receive the following email message:

"...We were just notified that there has been a change in the replacement yacht starting with charters from November 16 - Dec 31, 2019. The replacement yacht will be the Scuba Scene. The Aggressor yacht owner feels this yacht's layout is a better option and is more well suited for Aggressor guests. Please find more information by going to:

Home
The charter itinerary will stay the same. The staterooms and layout of the yacht will be comparable to the Red Sea Aggressor and the courses and rental equipment requests will be provided as requested. The chef and some of the staff from the Red Sea Aggressor will also be on board to ensure your trip will be to the Aggressor standards...."

So, I was actually going to be on RSA 1 in a few weeks. Oh well, I'll just go for the replacement boat and be more safety minded about what I would do in the boat (checking the operability of the escape hatch, not charging my batteries unattended, having life jacket & escape pouch readily accessible during an evacuation, etc.).

Have anyone been on Scuba Scene and would like to comment on the boat safety aspects?

Thanks

 

[Christian]

Haven't been on Scuba Scene, but 21(13+8) double/twin cabins!? If that is correct, for the guests sake, I hope they don't fill her up.

 

[Dan]

Haven't been on Scuba Scene, but 21(13+8) double/twin cabins!? If that is correct, for the guests sake, I hope they don't fill her up.

No. That's not what I read in Scuba Scene about us webpage:
"13 double cabins with air condition, mini bar and private bathroom; 8 twin cabins at the lower deck and 4 cabins with king size bed at the main deck, 1 twin cabin at the upper deck."

My concern is how the emergency escape hatch is set up for those in the lower 8 twin cabins and whether they have live vest inside each cabins.

 

[Christian]

No. That's not what I read from Scuba Scene
"13 double cabins with air condition, mini bar and private bathroom; 8 twin cabins at the lower deck and 4 cabins with king size bed at the main deck, 1 twin cabin at the upper deck."

My concern is how the emergency escape hatch is set up for those in the lower 8 twin cabins and whether they have live vest inside each cabins.

That # sounds more reasonable.

 

[Dan]

So far 4 spots are still available for my trip, but I guess that they'll keep it as is since I no longer see the RSA1 or Scuba Scene listed in Liveaboard.com. RSA2 is still there.

 

[mscmicrobiology]

The Scuba Scene is only temporary until the end of December. They claim they will have a new boat by 2020/03 when we are booked (each week they say they will have a new boat the next week... but then the same thing again). I'm not going to keep risking having no boat due to everything else filling up. Any suggestions for quality/luxery alternatives?

 

[Dan]

I thought they had a replacement, Red Sea Aggressor III, starting March, 2020.

Red Sea Liveaboard Scuba Diving in Egypt | Aggressor Adventures®

Fire on safari boat Suzana in Egypt (Red Sea Aggressor)

 

[mscmicrobiology]

We have been speaking with them every week since the fire. They do NOT have a replacement for March 2020 yet even though the website says that (PR spin at its best/worst). I’m sure the reason they post that is to give illusion its business as usual so folks don’t back out and keep booking, not realizing they could end up getting shafted. I’m sure if we waited it out and they ultimately didn’t get a new boat in time they would have to refund the money but the bigger concern is not having a live-aboard for the week with no reasonable alternatives because everything is already booked. Apparently their VP of operations is still looking for a suitable permanent vessel for the price they have in mind. So they only have a temporary vessel (Scuba Scene) till the end of the year but they feel it’s too much to buy (hence only temporarily leasing) with lots of promises but nothing for sure. Each week we try to get an update it’s the same story.

 

[Ministryofgiraffes]

Sorry, I haven’t read the prior posts..I’m drinking and my pal has gone to the bathroom.

Remind me why you haven’t taken/asked for/been offered a refund?