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Lummi Island Ferry
Whatcom County Public
Works Ferry Division is responsible for the operation and maintenance
of the Whatcom Chief. This ferry serves Lummi Island residents,
visitors, and businesses,  transporting
over 216,838 passengers during 2008. This same period has seen
vehicle or passenger car trips of 117,254 and total vehicles transported
of 123,285. Ridership shows strong seasonal variations. July and
August remain the busiest months with over 10% of all vehicle and
pedestrian trips occurring in each of these months. The permanent
resident population is over nine hundred and during the summer swells
to over two thousand.
| Quarter |
Year |
Total Trips |
Total Passengers |
Total Vehicles |
| 1st Qtr. |
2009 |
3,090 |
44,254 |
27,676 |
| 2nd Qtr. |
2009 |
3,221
|
55,471
|
33,712
|
| 3rd Qtr. |
2009 |
3,122 |
62,077 |
29,578 |
| 4th Qtr. |
2009 |
3,111 |
45,358 |
28,434 |
The Whatcom County ferry
system operates 365 days a year. The Whatcom Chief is 93.5 feet
long with a beam of 44.1 feet and a displacement of 78 tons. This
vessel was built in 1962 and has a capacity of 100 passengers and
20 vehicles. The Whatcom Chief is the only link for the majority
of Lummi Island residents and all vehicles to the mainland at Gooseberry
Point, a trip of 0.8 miles and about 5 minutes, not including loading
and unloading times. The ferry is also a link for a number of summer
residents and vacationers.
Annual Dry Dock
Each year the Whatcom
Chief spends time in dry dock in order to undergo annual maintenance.
The vessel can be in dry dock from two to three weeks, depending
on the extent of the maintenance needed. A passenger-only ferry
operates while the Whatcom Chief is in dry dock. Temporary parking
is made available near the Gooseberry Point landing during the period
of dry dock. This temporary mainland parking facility has a nighttime
security guard. Temporary parking is also provided on Lummi Island
for those who choose to walk on for the trip to the mainland.
The ferry system includes
two terminal locations and parking facilities. A portion of the
Gooseberry Point facility is secured from the Lummi Nation through
a lease agreement.
Ferry Rates
Current
ferry rates include single rider purchase
and multi-ride card purchasing options. In addition, discount fares
(after meeting defined qualifications) are available to students, seniors, disabled persons, and Lummi Island residents who meet income levels set by Whatcom County Ordinance 2007-001. Total fares are intended
to cover 55% of the operational costs associated with ferry operation.
The balance of the operational costs are covered by state and local
tax revenues.
Hours of Operation
Hours of operation are
5:40 AM to 12:10 AM on weekdays (38 scheduled runs), 7:00 AM to
12:30 AM on Saturdays, and 7:00 AM to 12:10 AM on Sundays and five
major holidays. The ferry also offers a twice weekly fuel truck run and
can accommodate vehicles up to 50,000 lbs. with some restrictions. The ferry is available
as an on-call service in the event of an emergency such as necessary
evacuation from Lummi Island to St Joseph's Hospital.
2008
Costs
In 2008 operating expenditures for the Lummi Island Ferry System totaled $2,124,508 . Motor Vechicle Fuel Tax (Ferry Deficit Reimbursement) of $144,319 and interest income of $37,645 partially offset these costs. This results in net maintenance and operations expenditures of $1,942,544. Fare-box receipts totaled $1,128,360, which equals to 53.1% of total operating costs, and 58.15% of net operating expenditures.
Contact Us
Any questions? Contact Public Works Ferry
Division, at
(360) 676-6692, or
email: Ferry@co.whatcom.wa.us
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