With over two decades of experience in maritime safety, Mick has worked with boat owners worldwide, including the UAE royal family and Richard Branson. As the founder of Maritime Survey Australia (MSA) and an AMSA-accredited Domestic Commercial Vessel (DCV) surveyor, he has conducted vessel surveys across the globe, including some of Egypt’s Red Sea liveaboard fleet. His expertise has led to a collaboration with Taucher.net, a leading German diving platform, which has publicly recommended that dive operators in the Red Sea undergo safety audits by Mick’s team at Maritime Survey International (MSI).
This episode is part of a larger series on liveaboards, aiming to provide a 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 exploration of the industry. While many operators uphold and even exceed safety expectations, others fall dangerously short—often due to a complex web of contributing factors. Mick and Matt discuss legal loopholes, flag states with differing safety standards, lack of enforcement, financial pressures driving a race-to-the-bottom pricing model, inadequate crew training, and the role of divers themselves in demanding luxury at unsustainable costs.
By learning from both the best and worst examples, this series aims to equip listeners with the knowledge to identify safe liveaboards and understand the broader challenges at play. Whether you’re a seasoned liveaboard diver or considering your first trip, this conversation will shed light on the unseen forces shaping safety standards in the industry.
🎧 Tune in now for an essential discussion on the future of liveaboard safety!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Liveaboard Safety Concerns
02:29 Interview with Marine Engineer Mick Uberti
04:16 The Evolution and Impact of Long-Form Podcasting
16:18 The Importance of Safety Standards in Liveaboards
21:06 Marine Surveying and Safety Inspections
24:01 Flag States and International Regulations
27:24 Inspection Findings in Egyptian Liveaboards
44:22 Crew Accommodations and Safety Standards
46:21 Shipyard Inspections and Vessel Conditions
47:55 Raising Awareness and Reporting Issues
49:31 Challenges in Enforcing Safety Standards
50:54 Stability and Design Concerns
56:34 Passenger Safety and Operator Responsibilities
59:35 Efforts to Improve Safety and Accountability
01:06:25 Engineering and Maintenance Issues
01:09:09 Environmental Concerns and Waste Management
01:15:12 Educational Initiatives and Industry Challenges
01:19:57 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans
If you have points, comments or experience that you can bring to the discussion comment below or message us at the podcast to get involved.
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