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:
New Vessel Design Documents
The county submitted a RAISE Grant Application to the US Department of Transportation to modernize the Lummi Island Ferry System.
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.
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.