Skagway

Size limits

LOA 348m, beam 41.4m, 53,840DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.

Tides

Range 5.5m. Tidal streams attain a rate of 0.25kt ingoing and 0.75 outgoing. The outgoing stream sets towards the Yukon Corp. wharf, thereby making it difficult for vessels approaching or leaving the N part of the wharf to clear vessels moored alongside the SW part of the wharf.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Skagway is approached through Taiya Inlet and entered in deep water that is clear of dangers.

With positions given from Battery Point Light (59°13'N 135°22'W):

ENE of Nukdik Point (2.75nm NW) an indeterminate point on the N side of Portage Cove. The E extremity of shoal water extending 0.17nm ENE from the point is marked by No 1 Buoy (port hand). Then:

WSW of Low Point (3.25nm N) on the E side of the inlet, then:

Either side of Indian Rock Light (pile structure, red and white chequered diamond daymark) (4nm NNW) exhibited on a rock awash on the E side of Indian Rock, a detached dangerous reef 0.2nm off the coast on the E side. Deeper water is found to the W and N of Indian Rock.

Then the track leads N into Taiya Inlet, passing (with positions given from Indian Rock Light):

Between Taiya Point (0.9nm N) the projecting W point at the entrance to Taiya Inlet, and the coast 1nm E. A waterfall, locally named Cavanaugh Falls, is prominent on the E side, directly opposite Taiya Point.

Then the inlet is clear of dangers in mid channel.

Anchorages

There is no safe anchorage for large vessels at Skagway. The anchorage in the NE part of the harbour off the Railway Wharf is small, being limited by the cable area.

The wind draws through the valley and anchorage. With N'ly gales, a vessel is liable to drag anchor because of the steep pitch of the bottom and under such conditions, a safer berth can be had at the wharf. Protection from the N can be had in Nahku Bay for vessels under 60m in length. Large vessels can anchor in Lutak Inlet.

Good anchorage is available in Nahku Bay, the narrows bay between Skagway and the head of Taiya Inlet, in mid channel in 54m approx 0.5nm from the head of the inlet. The bottom is sticky mud that shoals gradually. During summer prevailing winds, there is little protection from the short choppy seas coming in from Taiya Inlet.

Restrictions

There are submarine cables throughout the port area of Skagway, except for a narrow section off the SE shore.

Tugs

Two tugs are available, if required. However, arrangements should be made well in advance.

Charts and publications

BA 4975. Admiralty Pilot NP4, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Communications

VHF: Skagway Port Control: Ch 16.

Tugs: Ch 12,13,16.

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Health

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Customs and immigration

For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.

Repairs

A railway machine shop provides emergency repairs only, a slipway on the NE side of Skagway Boat Harbour can accommodate vessels of up to LOA 24m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available in small boat harbour.

Stores: Limited in quantity.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Dahl Memorial Clinic, 1.6km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Skagway Airport, 750m.

Nearest railway: White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, 550m.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Skagway is located in Taiya Inlet, 150km N of Juneau, close to the Canadian border.

The port

The deep water and ice free port handles iron ore, cruise and Ro-Ro ferries. It is a popular port of call for cruise vessels. Ore concentrates are exported.

What are the pilot arrangements at Skagway?

Pilotage is compulsory.

What time zone is Skagway in?

Local time at Skagway is UTC−9. Clocks go to UTC−8 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−9 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the water density at Skagway?

1025.

Which load line zone is Skagway in?

North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.

Who carries out Port State Control at Skagway?

Port State Control at Skagway: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Skagway?

The UN/LOCODE of Skagway is USSGY.

What crews who called at Skagway say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

Read and add tips for Skagway →