Ghazala Adventure: Could this be the safest liveaboard in the Red Sea?

It’s impossible to ignore the elephant in the room: as divers, we’re acutely aware of the number of tragic incidents involving liveaboards and day boats in recent years. I’ve heard many fellow divers’ express hesitation, even fear, about booking liveaboards in the future. It’s an unfortunate situation, and in some cases, there’s no denying that safety protocols have fallen short.

That said, liveaboards have always offered unparalleled access to the best dive sites at the best times. For many of us, Eat. Sleep. Dive. wasn’t just a slogan – it was the dream! So, the question now is: how is the liveaboard and dive travel industry responding? What steps are being taken to restore trust and improve safety and reputation across the board?

Recently, a few new liveaboards have entered the scene, and I was fortunate to spend a week aboard one of them, the brand-new Ocean Tribe liveaboard, Ghazala Adventure, marketed in the UK by Scuba Travel. So new that it was only completed in June 2025! The boat itself is stunning: modern, spacious, and clearly designed with divers in mind. The itinerary was a Red Sea Wreck Special, including the iconic Brothers Islands – a double win in my book!

But despite the excitement, a question lingered: how safe would we really feel back on a liveaboard, miles offshore, with strong winds in the forecast?

It had been quite a journey – driving from Cornwall to Hertfordshire (to pick up the boss), then on to Gatwick, followed by a 5.5-hour flight to Hurghada and a transfer to the boat. By the time we had all found our bags, set up our dive kit and gathered in the saloon, it was 8 p.m. local time, but with the time difference, it felt like bedtime to me.

Still, no rest just yet. We were welcomed aboard Ghazala Adventure with a general boat and safety briefing. Reda, one of our dive guides, emphasized the importance of familiarising ourselves with the boat’s layout from the outset. A more detailed safety briefing would follow the next day, but this initial orientation helped set the tone for a well-organised and safety-conscious trip.

The briefing covered everything we needed to get our bearings: introductions to the crew, an overview of the boat’s layout and specifications, and a rundown of the navigation and communication systems onboard. Crucially, we were also shown where to find food, drinks, and most importantly the state-of-the-art coffee machine, an absolute essential for those early-morning starts.

We were guided through the five decks and what each one offered, from the lower deck to the high deck, and given a thorough explanation of the boat’s fire prevention protocols. The locations of lifeboats, first aid kits, the AED, and emergency oxygen were clearly marked and explained.

A key safety regulation now enforced across the entire Red Sea fleet is that battery charging is strictly prohibited in cabins or overnight. Thankfully, Ghazala Adventure is well equipped with designated outdoor charging stations on both the main deck and upper deck ensuring both convenience and safety.

We were also informed that a full fire drill would take place the following morning. This would include sounding the fire alarms, donning life jackets, and mustering on the top deck, where we’d be briefed on all the fire-fighting equipment kept on board. It was reassuring to know that safety procedures weren’t just being talked about, but they were being actively practiced.

Before heading off to dinner, each of us was issued an ENOS device provided free of charge for the duration of the trip. The ENOS is a personal locator beacon worn by divers, designed for rapid, close-range location in the event of a separation from the group. With this level of precaution, it was clear that no one would be drifting off unnoticed on this trip.

With full confidence that we were in safe, capable hands and that every detail had been thoughtfully taken care of, we made our way to our incredibly spacious twin cabin ready to sink into a restful night’s sleep, dreaming of fish and the adventures to come. A full day of diving awaited us.

Stay tuned for our next instalment, where we’ll take you through the fire drill, check dives, and our very first wreck dive.

Book your next diving adventure on Ghazala Adventure with Scuba Travel: https://www.scubatravel.com

The Scubaverse team’s dive travel insurance for this trip was provided by Dive Master Insurance. Protect your next adventure here: https://www.divemasterinsurance.com