The current ferry vessel in the Lummi Island Ferry System, the Whatcom Chief, is 60 years old and is in need of replacement. The Public Works Department has gone through a systematic process to identify a new ferry vessel design that meets the needs of island residents, taxpayers, vessel crew members, the environment, and required regulations. 

The design method: 

• Improves safety. 
• Ensures fiscally responsible choices and features without unnecessary options.
• Encompasses more than 200 years of directly relatable experience in vessel maintenance, operations, and construction.
• Incorporates best practices from small vehicle ferry operators across the state of Washington.
• Heavily involves vessel crew and maintenance staff input. 
• Reduces environmental footprint with noise, vibration, and light pollution. 
• Improves operations.
• Reduces out-of-service maintenance time.
• Adds redundancy for improved reliability.
• Improves the passenger experience.
• Complies with all level of service requirements adopted by the Whatcom County Council in Resolution 2018-026. 
  • Accommodates all walk-on passengers during typical peak times.
  • Accommodates legal loads of vehicles per Washington State Commercial Vehicle Guidelines.
  • Meets or exceeds U.S. Coast Guard safety standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Approaches the goal of a carbon-neutral vessel by providing flexibility for future electric conversion. 

New Vessel Design Documents

• Propulsion System Selection Study
• Scantiling Calculations
• Profiles and Deck Arrangements
• Terminal Interface Plan
• Midship Section
• Outline Specifications
• Weight Estimate
• Preliminary Tonnage Assessment
• Stability Assessment
• Construction Cost Estimate

RAISE Grant

The county submitted a RAISE Grant Application to the US Department of Transportation to modernize the Lummi Island Ferry System. 

• Go to the RAISE Grant webpage.

On August 9, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded a $25 million RAISE grant to replace the 60-year-old Lummi Island ferry with an electric-battery hybrid ferry and build related infrastructure. 

Lummi Island Ferry System Level of Service

On February 21, 2017, the Whatcom County Council passed Resolution #2017-012.  The resolution established new level of service (LOS) goals for the Lummi Island Ferry System. 

On July 24, 2018, the Whatcom County Council passed Resolution #2018-026.  The resolution adopted the Level of Service recommendation from the Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee.

• Go to the Lummi Island Ferry System Level of Service webpage.