Christmas Eve is usually a time for celebration—especially for divers who’ve planned a once-a-year liveaboard trip. But on December 24, 2025, a serious fire broke out on the Maldives liveaboard Yasawa Princess, turning a holiday itinerary into an urgent evacuation. The good news: all 25 people onboard were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported. The hard truth: the vessel suffered severe damage and is now out of service.
This post is a verified, diver-focused recap of the incident—followed by practical, experience-backed steps you can take to reduce risk when choosing any liveaboard, whether you’re headed to the Maldives, the Red Sea, or beyond.
1) What Happened: Yasawa Princess Liveaboard Fire Near Vaavu Atoll
According to reporting from Maldives local media and multiple dive-industry outlets, the Yasawa Princess caught fire at around 6:00 PM on December 24, 2025, in waters near Vaavu Atoll (reported near Kuda-anbara/Kudaanbara).
The vessel is widely described as a 55-meter, three-deck liveaboard with 28 guest cabins, operating a central Maldives diving itinerary at the time of the incident.
- People onboard: 17 guests + 8 crew = 25 total
- Outcome: All evacuated safely; no injuries reported
- Response: Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Fire & Rescue, and other authorities participated in emergency response and evacuation
If you want to review the original reporting, here are reputable sources:
- Maldives local report referencing MNDF (Sun.mv) – Yasawa Princess fire (Dec 24, 2025)
- Divernet – Maldives liveaboard divers and crew escape blaze (Dec 2025)
- DIVE Magazine – All guests and crew evacuated after Maldives liveaboard fire (Dec 2025)
2) The Evacuation Worked—But the Vessel Was Critically Damaged
Reports citing the operator’s statement indicate that crew detected the fire and initiated emergency procedures quickly. Authorities coordinated the evacuation and response. While the outcome for people onboard was a relief, the vessel itself appears to have been severely damaged and has been described as not operational for the current season, with remaining trips canceled while a full assessment is completed.
This is one of the hardest realities of liveaboard travel: even when everyone survives, a major incident can still mean trip cancellation, stranded logistics, gear loss, and financial stress if coverage and contingency planning aren’t in place.
3) Not an Isolated Case: Recent Liveaboard Fires in the Maldives
Sadly, the Yasawa Princess incident is not the only recent liveaboard fire reported in the Maldives. In late 2024, two separate liveaboard vessels were widely reported as suffering catastrophic fires near Hulhumalé:
- Blue Vega – Fire reported in the Hulhumalé lagoon (Nov 2024), with serious damage reported and no casualties mentioned in local reporting.
- Blue Voyager – A separate major fire while moored near Malé/Hulhumalé (Nov 2024), widely described as catastrophic damage.
References:
- Sun.mv (English) – Blue Vega fire off Hulhumalé (Nov 2024)
- DIVE Magazine – Blue Voyager catastrophic fire (Nov 2024)
4) Bigger Picture: Why Red Sea Liveaboard Incidents Have Triggered Official Warnings
Liveaboard safety concerns aren’t limited to the Maldives. The Red Sea has faced a higher frequency of serious incidents in recent years, prompting a formal safety bulletin from the UK government’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).
MAIB has publicly stated it is aware of 16 accidents over the last five years involving liveaboard dive vessels operating in the Red Sea, including multiple incidents with fatalities. Their advice is aimed specifically at prospective customers planning a Red Sea dive boat holiday.
- UK Government (MAIB) – Safety Bulletin 1/2025 announcement
- MAIB – Safety warning page (Red Sea liveaboard dive boat accidents)
5) What the Trends Suggest: Fire, Grounding, and Stability Issues
Across global liveaboard incidents, three patterns show up again and again:
- Fire (often originating in engine rooms or electrical systems)
- Grounding (frequently at night, when watchkeeping is weak)
- Stability issues (capsize risk rises with poor design, heavy modifications, and rough weather)
For divers looking for data-driven context, DAN Europe’s Alert Diver article analyzes 20 reported liveaboard incidents and breaks down the leading categories (fire, grounding, stability) while emphasizing the role of safety systems and watchkeeping.
6) What These Accidents Expose: The Safety Gaps Divers Should Watch For
When major incidents happen, post-incident reporting frequently highlights similar weaknesses:
- Structural and modification risks: major extensions or poor build quality can reduce stability in rough seas.
- Missing or ineffective lifesaving equipment: lifejackets, liferafts, emergency lighting, and exit signage may be inadequate or poorly maintained.
- Weak fire protection: limited early detection, insufficient extinguishers, and poor compartmentalization can allow a fire to spread fast.
- Training and briefing failures: crew may be undertrained, and guests may not receive a clear, memorable safety briefing.
Bottom line: A liveaboard can look beautiful on Instagram and still be unsafe. Your job as a diver is to verify the “invisible safety layer” before you pay in full.
7) Expert Checklist: 4 Things to Verify Before You Book a Liveaboard
Based on recent incidents and common failure points, here are four practical checks you can use before committing to any liveaboard trip.
1) Fire Detection: Don’t Accept a Single-Point System
Smoke is an early warning signal. Ask whether the vessel has a wired primary system plus a backup, and whether alarms are audible in cabins and corridors. If the operator can’t clearly explain how detection and alarms work, treat it as a red flag.
Pro tip: Consider carrying a portable smoke detector for your cabin as an extra layer (especially on older vessels).
2) Emergency Response: Detection Without Action Doesn’t Save Lives
Ask specifically about:
- Automatic suppression (e.g., sprinklers or fixed engine-room systems where applicable)
- Crew firefighting training (formal training and refreshers)
- Multiple sets of firefighting gear and clear access to extinguishers
3) 24/7 Watchkeeping: Nighttime Is High Risk
Many groundings and some fires escalate at night. Ask if the boat maintains a qualified night watch with a structured rotation—rather than one exhausted person “keeping an eye out.”
4) Use Your Eyes: Watch for Design Red Flags in Photos
Before booking, review deck plans and photos with a safety lens:
- Are cabin corridors narrow with few exits?
- Do escape routes require passing through high-risk zones (like engine areas)?
- Does the superstructure look top-heavy or excessively modified?
If you want a simple rule: stable proportions + clear exits + visible safety equipment are a green flag. “Luxury visuals” alone are not.
8) Onboard Safety Reminders: What to Do Once You Step on the Boat
- Prioritize safety certification and maintenance: ask about inspection schedules and documented servicing for alarms and extinguishers.
- Never skip the safety briefing: learn muster points, exit routes, and where lifejackets and liferafts are stored.
- Pay attention to vessel age and refits: older boats can be safe, but only with transparent maintenance practices.
- Buy appropriate travel insurance: choose coverage that includes medical evacuation, trip interruption, and liveaboard cancellation.
- Confirm the operator’s contingency plan: evacuation support, alternative accommodation, gear recovery process, and communication protocol.
9) A Practical Note for Underwater Photographers
If you’re traveling with a phone-based underwater setup, the evacuation risk isn’t just “the trip ends”—it can mean your photos, phone, and data are suddenly at stake.
- Back up your photos daily when possible (cloud + local).
- Keep essential documents (passport scan, insurance, emergency contacts) offline on your phone.
- Store small valuables in a dry bag you can grab fast.
If you’re building or upgrading your underwater setup for travel, you can explore DIVEVOLK’s housing options here: Underwater Housing Collection. For bundled packages, see SeaTouch 4 Max Kits.
Conclusion: The Magic of Liveaboards Depends on Safety You Can Verify
Liveaboard diving is unforgettable—remote reefs, sunrise dives, and a community vibe you can’t replicate on day boats. But every great trip depends on one non-negotiable foundation: robust safety systems and a crew that’s trained to use them.
The Yasawa Princess fire ended without injuries, which is the best possible outcome in a worst-case scenario. Still, it’s a reminder for all of us: don’t assume safety—confirm it. Use the checklist above, ask better questions, and choose operators who answer with clarity, evidence, and confidence.
If you found this helpful, consider saving this page and sharing it with your dive group before your next liveaboard departure.
