Another tragedy in the Red Sea – a diving yacht sank with 31 passengers and 14 crew members on board, 28 were rescued, reports eSysman.
The MY Sea Story, a diving excursion yacht, sank in the Red Sea, south of Marsa Alam, Egypt. The accident happened on Monday morning, when the yacht went on a 5-day diving cruise.
At least 17 people are missing after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea despite warnings of rough seas, Egyptian officials said Monday.
Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi said rescuers rescued 28 people from the ship south of the coastal city of Marsa Alam, and some were taken by helicopter for medical treatment.
Rescue services received an SOS signal from the ship shortly before dawn, but contact with the yacht was lost soon after. 28 people are reported to have been rescued, while 16 are still missing.
The cause of the accident is not yet known, but it is believed that the yacht sank in a strong storm. Severe weather warnings had been issued for the region over the weekend.
Security issues are a concern
The investigation reveals disturbing details about the yacht's security. MY Sea Story was not registered with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and did not appear to be built to international standards.
There are also concerns about the lack of rescue equipment. The yacht had only two lifeboats with a total capacity of 50 people, although there were 45 people on board. According to the regulations, the yacht had to have at least four lifeboats.
The dive operator's website hides information
"MY Sea Story" has been removed from the dive operator's website liveaboard.com following the accident. This raises the suspicion of an attempt to hide information about the yacht's safety equipment and technical condition.
This is not the first accident in the Red Sea
Over the past year, there have been several accidents involving diving yachts in the Red Sea. In May of last year, the yacht Carlton Queen sank, and a month later the yacht MV Hurricane sank and caught fire, killing three divers.
Please be careful
In light of the recent incidents, divers are advised to be extra careful when choosing dive operators and yachts. Make sure the yacht is registered with the IMO and meets all safety standards before embarking on a trip.
Advice for divers:
- Choose only reputable dive operators with a good reputation.
- Make sure the yacht is registered with the IMO and meets all safety standards.
- Before diving, check your rescue equipment and make sure you know how to use it.
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast and follow safety instructions.
- Always be with a partner while diving and follow the dive plan.
Remember, your safety is in your own hands!
