Nöbetçi Eczaneler
Update Monday 27 October 3pm – Royal Evolution has been freed from the reef. A YouTube video posted by German dive website Taucher.net shows her sailing away from Abu Dabbab under her own power
The Egyptian liveaboard Royal Evolution has been grounded over the weekend at Abu Dabbab, off Marsa Alam, after striking the reef on the afternoon of Friday, 24 October.
Reports say the incident occurred on the first day of an itinerary departing from Port Ghalib. All the passengers were safely evacuated to another nearby liveaboard, Red Sea Explorer, and have been returned to shore, where they are now being accommodated in the Abu Dabbab Lodge hotel.
No injuries to passengers and crew have been reported, although a crew member on another boat was taken to hospital after sustaining rope injuries while trying to secure Royal Evolution.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Royal Evolution‘s owners, Red Sea Paradise for Cruises SAE, issued a statement saying that the boat had sustained only light damage to its keel, and they were waiting for high tide to remove her from the reef.
‘With regret, we inform our friends and followers that this morning, the keel of Royal Evolution made light contact with the reef at Abu Dabab Four Reef,’ said the statement.
‘The situation has remained completely calm and under control. We are pleased to confirm that the vessel, guests, and crew are all safe, and there has been no damage to the hull — only the keel made contact with the reef. Due to low tide conditions, we are currently waiting for high tide around 9:00 pm tonight, at which time we expect to continue operations as normal.’
As of the afternoon of Sunday, 26 November, however, Royal Evolution remains stuck on the reef.
Military divers have been exploring underneath the vessel, and a tugboat is on standby. The area has since been cordoned off to civilian vessels while work to free Royal Evolution takes place.
The company went on to say it was ‘disappointed by the repeated spread of misleading information about the Red Sea liveaboard industry. Constructive journalism is essential to promote safety and awareness, but unfair and sensational reporting only harms the reputation of this world-class dive destination and the many professionals working hard to maintain its high standards.
‘Over the past year, such negative and biased publications have contributed to a significant downturn in the liveaboard sector, affecting livelihoods and the image of the Red Sea as a premier diving destination.
‘We remain committed to transparency, professionalism, and the safety of all our guests and crew. Thank you to everyone who continues to support responsible diving and fair reporting.’
Royal Evolution is a highly regarded liveaboard, a 39m (130ft) steel-hulled vessel with accommodation for 24 people and a license to sail out into Sudanese and Saudi Arabian waters.
Nevertheless, unwanted attention is yet again focused on the Egyptian liveaboard industry, following a spate of incidents over the last two years, including the Sea Story disaster of November 2024, in which 11 people lost their lives.
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