UPDATED 10 May
The Maldives liveaboard Emperor Explorer was lost following a fire earlier today (9 May), according to its operator Emperor Group.
All guests and crew were evacuated and transferred to the Emperor Serenity, a slightly smaller liveaboard in the fleet, and no injuries had been reported, said the operator.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone on board, and we are profoundly grateful that all guests and crew are safe and well,” said Emperor Group CEO Alexander Bryant. “We are now focused on supporting our guests and crew.”
Emperor Explorer ablaze (Eliška Hoffmannová)
Emperor Explorer had been due to go out of service at the end of this month. As reported on Divernet in April, the operator had only recently launched its successor, the Emperor Explorer II, as its flagship and at 44m its largest vessel in the Maldives, intending it to start work this August.
“The ship burned down and sank during the night,” said eyewitness Eliška Hofmannová today (10 May). She had recorded what was happening from the Princess Sara liveaboard, which had been anchored nearby. “I’m very glad everyone is safe.”
Attempts to extinguish the blaze (Eliška Hoffmannová)
No cause for the fire or details of the evacuation have been released yet. The fire has been reported as occurring near the Fish Factory dive-site near the Maldives’ capital Malé and spreading quickly enough to cause at least some of those on board to escape by jumping over the side of the boat.
Built in 2019, the 42m Explorer carried up to 26 guests and had been running seven-night Best Of Maldives itineraries. The boat usually carried up to 14 crew, with four dive-guides and three dedicated dhoni crew.
Emperor Explorer
An official enquiry into the incident can be expected to follow. Marine losses are usually investigated by the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard, the country’s maritime enforcement and rescue authority
