The ferry MCY capsized and sank off Efate Island near Mangaliliu, Vanuatu.  The ferry left Malekula to Port Vila loaded with fuel and cargo with 41 passengers and crew on board.  After travelling several kilometers out to sea, the MCY’s engines failed.  The ferry drifted for several hours when it rolled over and sank in 350 meters of water.   No distress call was sent by the vessel, but a passenger used a mobile phone to call the police station in Port Vila.  A rescue vessel was dispatched and picked up 37 survivors and were taken to Port Vila.   Three passengers and one crewman perished.  Reports state the ferry had made repairs to a hole in the hull prior to leaving Malekula. Unconfirmed reports state the repairs failed to stop the water ingress resulting in the loss of stability.  Also, the ferry was overloaded as it was rated only to carry up to 30 passengers.  The Vanuatu Prime Minister has vowed a full investigation into the incident.

Related articles

• All bodies recovered from sunken Vanuatu ferry (radionz.co.nz)
• Vanuatu daily news digest I 12 July 2014 (vanuatudaily.wordpress.com)