Worldwide Dive and Sail Loses Vessel in Raja Ampat

(Dive Travel Business News - January 4, 2012) -- Worldwide Dive and Sail, a premier luxury diving yacht company that plies the waters of Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, has just reported an incident on board the S/Y Mandarin Siren. During a recent diving trip, in the Raja Ampat region of Indonesia, a fire broke out below decks while the guests were on a morning dive. The S/Y Mandarin Siren crew were unable to contain the blaze and were forced to abandon the vessel which was subsequently lost.

The guests were not aboard at the time and therefore were never in any danger.  Worldwide Dive and Sail's other Indonesian vessel, the S/Y Indo Siren, was very near at the time of the accident and steamed immediately to pick up the guests and crew from the tender. A speedboat was then dispatched to pick everyone up from the S/Y Indo Siren and return them as quickly as possible to Sorong where they were provided with fresh clothing, accommodation and assistance from Worldwide Dive and Sail staff.

The next day guests were flown to Jakarta where fleet owner Frank Van Der Linde and the team in Indonesia were there to meet them. All the guests were assisted in obtaining emergency travel documents and re-arranging travel and they subsequently flew home to be with their families over the New Year.

The 24 metre SY Mandarin Siren joined the Siren fleet in June 2010 and hosted 8 guests in 4 cabins. The origin of the fire is not yet fully confirmed but it is believed that it was caused by an electrical fault of the tumble dryer in the laundry room and quickly spread to the engine room.

Worldwide Dive and Sail have endeavored to inform all guests who had made bookings on the S/Y Mandarin Siren, whether booked directly with the company or through a booking agent.  They ask that any client who has a booking and has not yet been in contacted to please email or call Worldwide Dive & Sail or their booking agent as soon as possible.

For Worldwide Dive and Sail Staff, the incident is a shock and a great loss but are very grateful that none of the guests or the crew were injured or worse.  The fleet thanks all of those who have sent condolences. The fleet will continue to offer diving liveaboard safaris throughout Indonesia aboard the S/Y Indo Siren.

Contact Worldwide Dive & Sail at info@worldwidediveandsail.com. Visit www.worldwidediveandsail.com. Call (US) 866 258 6398 , (UK) +44 (0)208 099 2230, (Thailand) +66 (0)76 367 444.

** This RSS Feed is brought to you by www.DiveTravelBusinessNews.com **