MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Popular Seattle ferry wedding venue takes on water, repairs could take weeks

Jun 22, 2026, 2:04 PM | Updated: 6:43 pm

ferry fire MV Skansonia...

Crews worked to stabalize the MV Skansonia ferry wedding venue after it took on water. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Fire Department)

(Photo courtesy of the Seattle Fire Department)

Firefighters were able to stabilize the MV Skansonia, a historic ferry-turned-wedding-venue, after it took on water on Monday.

A spokesperson for the MV Skansonia told MyNorthwest the vessel is floating and stable and that recovery efforts are actively underway.

“We should be back to our former state within a few weeks,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the boat’s owner has identified the cause of the incident and will release more details in the next few hours. They added that repair work is underway and divers are on site now.

“The owner is optimistic,” the spokesperson stated.

MV Skansonia works to relocate planned events

As for events planned in the near future, the spokesperson said one event has already been moved to the Fremont Foundry, which is also managed by Landmark Event Co., and is less than two miles away.

“We are actively working with our other near-term clients,” the spokesperson said. “We have eight other venues across Seattle and the greater area, as well as great relationships with other venues in town, so we’re confident that we’ll be able to provide everyone with great options.”

They added that only a handful of events will have to be moved if repairs go quickly.

Seattle fire crews called to ferry

Seattle Fire Department (SFD) crews were at the scene around 9 a.m., removing water from the 165-foot retired ferry boat docked in the 200 block of Northeast Northlake Way, SFD reported.

Around 10 a.m., the fire department said crews had removed water and stabilized the vessel.

“The owner informed us the boat has a steel skid hull with additional floatation buoys to prevent it from sinking,” SFD stated on X.

No injuries were reported.

The MV Skansonia was constructed in 1929 by the Skansie Brothers, according to the venue’s website. The boat ferried travelers between Vashon Island and Point Defiance before permanently docking on Lake Union.

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