Galapagos live aboard dive vessel Majestic Explorer has run aground and foundered in the Central Galapagos. Thankfully, the crew and passengers were all able to evacuate to another nearby vessel safely, but sadly a delay meant that the vessel sustained unsalvageable damage.

The vessel was carrying between 500-700 gallons of diesel when it foundered but as of 1 June it is reported that it has been successfully pumped out. Debris has also been collected for disposal.

Explorer Ventures are busy rescheduling and reallocating currently booked guests.

Press release

We are sad to announce that in the early morning hours of May 31, 2019, we were notified by our Galapagos partners that the Majestic Explorer ran aground in the Central Galapagos Islands. Thankfully, all guests and crew were unhurt and evacuated safely to a nearby vessel, and returned to Santa Cruz.

Although the initial damage to the Majestic Explorer was minor, the vessel was unable to move. In the ensuing 6 hours before another vessel was able to assist, wave action caused further damage which unfortunately rendered the beautiful Majestic Explorer unsalvageable.

We are in the process of notifying upcoming guests and their agents directly and are working to identify options to accommodate guests scheduled to travel aboard Majestic Explorer over the next 6-7 weeks with as little disruption to their long-planned vacations as possible. We are planning to have a suitable vessel able to take over her charter schedule and itinerary by mid-July, and should be able to announce more information on that plan within the next 7 days.

As it happens, designs have already been drawn up to build the next generation of Galapagos diving liveaboard. We are accelerating those plans, and should soon be able to announce a 2020 start date for the newest member of our Galapagos fleet. Existing Majestic Explorer bookings as of that date will be transferred to the new vessel.

To those whom this unwelcome news about Majestic Explorer affects, please accept our sincerest apologies for the change to your vacation plans, and be assured that we are doing everything in our power to minimize the disruption. Everyone involved in Majestic Explorer’s operation over the past year is distraught at her untimely loss.

We appreciate your patience as we work through the list of upcoming guests. For further information, please contact Diana Heaton.