MV Skagit

MV Skagit was a Skagit Kalama-class^{[citation needed]} passenger ferry originally operated by Washington State Ferries (WSF) from 1989–2009 and then in Tanzania until her sinking in Zanzibar in July 2012.

History
Name	Skagit
Owner	WSDOT
Operator	Washington State Ferries 1990–2009
Port of registry	Seattle, Washington, United States 1989–2011
Builder	Halter Marine, New Orleans, Louisiana[1]
Cost	$5 million[2]
Completed	1989
In service	1990
Out of service	2009
Identification	IMO number: 8645284 Official Number: D949140 Call sign: WAA6309[3]
Fate	Sold to Canadian investors after unsuccessful ebay listing[4]
Name	Skagit
Operator	Seagull Sea Transport (Zanzibar)[1][5]
Port of registry	Zanzibar (October 25, 2011–)[5]
Route	Dar es Salaam, Tanzania–Unguja Island, Zanzibar
Acquired	c. 2011
In service	c. 2011
Out of service	July 18, 2012
Fate	Sank near Chumbe Island off Zanzibar; c. 150 people presumed dead.
General characteristics
Class & type	Skagit Kalama-class passenger ferry
Length	112 ft (34.1 m)
Beam	25 ft (7.6 m)
Draft	8 ft (2.4 m)
Installed power	Total 2,840 hp (2,120 kW) from four diesel engines
Propulsion	Diesel Reduction
Speed	25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Capacity	250 passengers[6]

Operational history

Skagit and MV Kalama were the only two ships of their class in the WSF fleet. Together they served on the Seattle-Vashon Island route (see King County Water Taxi).^[7] In 2006, WSF was directed to end its passenger-only service, and in 2011 Skagit and Kalama were sold and transported to Tanzania to provide service between the mainland and Zanzibar.^[8]

Sinking

On July 18, 2012, the vessel sank near Chumbe Island^[9] while in ferry service in Tanzania. After departing Dar es Salaam bound for Unguja Island (Zanzibar) with more than 250 people on board, the ship struggled in rough seas and sank approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) from Unguja.^[1] At least 146 were rescued while as many as 150 were still missing after a day of rescue operations.^[4] Early reports attributed the disaster to high winds and overloading of passengers. The ship was certified for a maximum capacity of 250 yet officials said it had 290 aboard at the time.^[2][10]

Outcome

The Zanzibar government blamed the disaster on the ship operating over too long of a distance, and the island's transportation minister resigned.^[5] In addition, vessels had been warned not to make the crossing because of the high seas, according to Tanzania's chief meteorologist.^[4] After Skagit's loss, Zanzibar barred sister ship MV Kalama from operating and later "deleted" her and three other ferries from its list of sea vessels for safety reasons.^[5][11]

See also

• Sinking of MV Spice Islander I
• List of maritime disasters