LUMMI ISLAND, Wash. — While still planning on a spring schedule, officials with Whatcom County Public Works Ferry Division say they have been advised by area shipyards to adjust their planned dates for the annual dry dock maintenance of the Whatcom Chief. The Whatcom Chief provides pedestrian and vehicle ferry service between Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island.
In a February announcement, they said to expect the dry dock period, when the ferry service switches to pedestrian-only, to run from April 18th through May 17th. Yesterday, Friday, March 15th, they said those dates were no longer applicable.
One of the largest factors in the timing of our dry dock is the availability of local, qualified shipyards. Recently, area shipyards informed us that we must adjust our timeline in order to receive any successful bids for this project. As a result, the anticipated dry dock dates we released on February 13 are no longer applicable. Whatcom County Public Works Ferry Division (March 15, 2024)
Officials advise to plan for a 4-week dry dock sometime during May and June, no later than June 18th. They warn this could mean the pedestrian-only service may be in place during the Memorial Day weekend.
Bids for performing the dry dock service are scheduled to be opened Tuesday, March 26th, and officials hope to announce more definite dates once the bid is awarded.
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