LUMMI ISLAND, Wash. — After heading off for its annual visit to the dry dock, the Lummi Island ferry is expected to return to service Saturday, October 2nd.
The annual scheduled maintenance for the Whatcom Chief ferry puts it in dry dock for several weeks.
While in dry dock, the Whatcom Chief was replaced by a passenger-only ferry. On October 2nd, it is expected the passenger ferry’s last run from Lummi Island will be 11am and its last run from Gooseberry Point will be 11:10am.
All ferry service will stop after the last passenger ferry run so dock modifications can be made and floats required for the contracted passenger-only ferry can be dismantled and removed.
The Whatcom Chief’s first run is expected to be at 8pm.
Update: Ferry Division officials announced at 7pm, October 1st, the Whatcom Chief’s return to service would be delayed until Sunday. “It has been determined an additional 24 hours is needed to perform sea trials to ensure our vessel returns to service reliably.” An official with Whatcom County Public Works said they are planning to follow the same schedule, just a day later, Sunday.