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Liveaboards lost in dry dock fi re
Popular Red Sea liveaboards including MY Typhoon, MY Hyatt and Sweet
Dream have been destroyed by fi re while undergoing routine maintenance
in dry dock in the Suez. No-one was injured in the 30 January blaze, which
is believed to have started on MY Typhoon before spreading to other ves-
sels in strong winds.
Firefi ghters tried to control the fi res during fi erce winds caused by recent
storms across the Red Sea; however, they were unable to rescue three
of the boats. MY VIP One also caught fi re, however, was not completely
Dahab
destroyed.
The authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the blaze, but
b a c k p a c k e r s
preliminary reports indicate that the fi rst started in the dry dock electricity
wiring to MY Typhoon. As a boating incident, the investigation has to be
Escape from the ordinary
carried out by the Egyptian Maritime Authority.
The operators of the liveaboards, all CDWS members, are currently plan-
ning alternative arrangements for diving guests booked on these boats
throughout 2010. A spokesman for Red Sea Diving College, which operates
MY VIP One, said the vessel is expected to be repaired and back in the
water by summer.
‘Although VIP One was aff ected by the fi re fortunately the damage is lim-
ited compared to the other boats,’ he said. ‘We will not be absent from the
2010 liveaboard scene.’
sinaidivers.com
In a statement, Tornado Marine Fleet, which operates Typhoon, said: ‘Ty-
phoon has given many happy memories to clients and staff alike and will
be missed within the fl eet. Plans are already in process to expand the fl eet
S h a r m e l S h e i k h once again and we hope we will be announcing a new arrival in the near
future.’
M a r s a A l a m
Passing on his message of support to members aff ected by the blaze,
D a h a b
CDWS managing director Zeyad M ElBassel said: ‘Thankfully no person was
A q a b a
injured. These safari boats, all CDWS members, have been operating for
many years and it is sad that they will no longer be welcoming divers to the
S a f a r i s Red Sea and showing the best that these waters have to off er.’
Red Sea winners
Red Sea College said: ‘It [the award] is a tribute to
the hard work, dedication and passion of all our
Red Sea dive centres and safari boats have been
staff , as well as a refl ection on the continued sup-
highly rated in two major magazine awards in
port of our guests, with not only their votes but
Europe. In the UK, the Red Sea was awarded
also the enthusiasm they bring to us with each
Destination of the Year once again by the readers of Diver magazine.
visit. The Red Sea Diving College would like to
thank everybody who voted for us.’
‘The popularity of Egypt with Diver readers refl ects its convenient
proximity, its good value for money, the hospitality of its people and
Marsa Alam-based Coraya Divers (www.corya-divers.com) was named
the high quality of its diving in terms of both wrecks and reefs,’ said
Best Red Sea Dive centre by leading German magazine Tauchen
Diver.
during a lavish awards ceremony held in Dusseldorf, Germany during
the nine-day Boot Show. Coraya Divers chairman Hans Heinz Dilthey
For the fourth year running, Sharm el Sheikh-based Red Sea Diving collected the award.
College (www.redseacollege.com) won the Dive Centre of the Year
award after receiving the most votes of Diver readers. The competi-
Winning the overall Tauchen magazine Best Liveaboard award was
tion was dominated by CDWS centres in Sharm, with Ocean College
MY Longimanus (www.barakuda-diving.com), also based in Marsa
taking second place and Camel Dive Club coming in third.
Alam.
18 www.cdws.travel
Issue 5 March - April ‘10
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