Inside the Egypt Sea Story tourist boat that sank in Red Sea as Brits feared missing

More than a dozen tourists are feared missing after a 144ft-long boat sunk off the coast of Egypt this morning.

The boat, named Sea Story, was carrying 45 people – including 14 Egyptian crew members and 31 tourists – when it experienced an issue and sank close to a popular diving destination Shaab Satayah, near the tourist resort of Marsa Alam. Seventeen people are reported missing, however their nationalities are unknown.

According to local media site Masrawy, several nationalities were on the vessel for a five-day diving trip. The outlet reports four British and two American nationals were onboard, as well as five Spanish, two Belgian, two Swiss and four Egyptian holidaymakers. Authorities have now confirmed 28 people have been rescued.

It’s understood the diving trip departed from Porto Ghalib Port in Marsa Alam on Sunday and was supposed to return to the port of Hurghada on November 29. But around 5.30am this morning, a member of crew raised the alarm and the coastguard was sent out to try track them down.

It’s unclear what caused the four-deck motor yacht to sink, but local reports said a helicopter and naval units were involved in the frantic search. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority warned on Saturday about turbulence and high waves on the Red Sea and advised against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday.

According to liveaboard.com, which books spaces on the vessel, the Sea Story sails around the Red Sea. It’s said to be able to accommodate as many as 32 passengers in its 18 air-conditioned and en-suite twin rooms. Among the facilities on board are a fully-equipped restaurant, honeymoon suites, flat-screen TV and sound system.

They offer several different trips, including the wrecks and “vibrant reeds” of the North Reefs, or the Deep South, which is best for “shark action and remote diving”. Its site states that trips start at £126 per day.

Another online booking agent, No Troubles Just Bubbles, describes Sea Story as being a “very popular boat” that was launched in 2022. It states the ship is “unlike most other Red Sea diving liveaboards” because it doesn’t follow the standard format of other ships and instead has an extra deck for “more space to relax on board”.

Its website reads: “All cabins have plenty of floor space, independently-controlled air conditioning, and a private en suite bathroom. Fourteen of the cabins have two single beds, side by side. And there are four honeymoon suites on the upper deck.” There is also an exposed sundeck for stargazing and an outdoor jacuzzi and indoor sauna.

The raving description adds: “The views are great, the cabins large, and there are two vast socialising areas; one outside and one with air conditioning. It really is the most luxurious deck you will find on almost any boat in the northern Red Sea.” It also states the crew and dive staff are hard-working and service-minded.

Amr Hanafy, governor of the Red Sea region, said that search and rescue planes had been used to transport 16 people from the ocean to local hospitals. The remainder were forced to stay at the boat’s last-known position, awaiting the arrival of Al-Fateh, an Egyptian warship, to rescue them.

Air and naval units were continuing to search for the missing, he added. The governor did not provide an accurate toll on the number of the amount of fatalities, injuries and survivors. Hanafy told locals and foreigners to avoid the crash site as rescue workers comb the ocean for survivors. He added how local weather conditions have made it more difficult to conduct search operations in the area.

The Red Sea has long been a popular tourist destination for diving and other marine enthusiasts, known for its coral reefs and marine life, which are key to Egypt’s vital tourism industry. But many tourist companies have stopped or limited traveling on the Red Sea due to the dangers from conflicts in the region.

The Mirror has contacted the the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the office of the Governor for the Egyptian Red Sea province for comment on the sinking.

The Mirror has contacted Sea Story operator Diver Pro Liveaboard for further comment. The company says it is aware of the situation unfolding but declined to offer any more information or details.

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