LUMMI ISLAND, Wash. — Officials with the Ferry Division of Whatcom County Public Works announced about 11:30am today, September 17th, they had suspended service of the passenger-only ferry between Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island.
Wind gusts of up to 35mph from the southeast had been reported in the area of the crossing today.
Officials said service would remain suspended until weather improves.
A wind advisory is in effect from 5am to 8pm today due to expected sustained southeast winds of 30 to 40mph with gusts to 55 mph expected. In addition, a gale warning is in effect for the northern inland waters including the San Juan Islands from 5am to 11pm today due to expected southeast winds of 25 to 35 knots (30 to 40mph).
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Click for more informationThe vehicle ferry, Whatcom Chief, is currently in dry dock for its annual maintenance and has been replaced during that time with a passenger-only ferry.
UPDATE 1:50pm – Ferry officials announced “limited passenger-only ferry service has resumed” but they will be unable to follow the published schedule while the vessel makes as many trips as is safely possible during the storm.
UPDATE 3:30pm – Ferry service was again suspended due to high winds. Ferry officials said, “Limited ferry service should resume later this evening as winds become calmer.”
UPDATE 7:50am 9/18/2021 – Ferry officials said, “The ferry is back in service Saturday, Sept. 18, following outages on Friday due to high winds. Thank you for your patience!”