Fire Claims S/Y Mandarin Siren

No one was hurt in the unfortunate accident

by Michael Zeigler

We are very sad to report that our friends at World Wide Dive & Sail recently lost one of their vessels, S/Y Mandarin Siren, to fire.  We are, however, grateful to learn that no body was hurt in the accident.  Also, we are very much looking forward to our sold out adventure on the S/Y Indo Siren in December!  The statement below is from the World Wide Dive & Sail website.

S/Y Indo Siren.  Photo courtesy of World Wide Dive & Sail.

We are very sad to have to announce a very unfortunate incident on 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 origin of the fire is not yet fully confirmed but we believe that it was caused by an electrical fault of the tumble dryer in the laundry room and quickly spread to the engine room. The guests were not aboard at the time and therefore were never in any danger. Our crew did everything they could but in the end were unable to contain the blaze and were forced to abandon the vessel which was subsequently lost.

No one was hurt in the accident and for that we are incredibly grateful -- no matter how great the loss to us it could have been very much worse.

Our 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 our staff. The next day they were flown to Jakarta where fleet owner Frank 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 New Year.

We have endeavored to inform all of our guests who had made bookings on the S/Y Mandarin Siren, whether booked directly with us or through a booking agent. If you had a booking and have not yet been in contact please email or call us or your agent as soon as you are able.

For all of us at Worldwide Dive and Sail this is a shock and a great loss, but as said above it could have been very much worse. We are very thankful that none of the guests or the crew were injured or worse.

We greatly appreciate your concern and the condolences we have received over the past few days and would like to thank you for your continuing support. The Siren Fleet will still be offering diving liveaboard safaris throughout Indonesia aboard the S/Y Indo Siren.

Best wishes and safe diving from all at Worldwide Dive & Sail and the Siren Fleet.