LUMMI ISLAND, Wash. — Whatcom County Ferry Division officials announced at 7pm, October 1st, the Whatcom Chief’s return to service after its annual dry dock 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. “Equipment re-assembly took longer than expected, and sea trials have been postponed until tomorrow, Saturday, 10/2.”
While in dry dock, the Whatcom Chief was replaced by a passenger-only ferry. It was announced the passenger ferry’s last run from Lummi Island would be 11am and its last run from Gooseberry Point will be 11:10am on Saturday. After this evening’s announcement, that will now be scheduled for Sunday, October 3rd.
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.