Every year the Whatcom Chief goes into dry dock for scheduled maintenance for about three weeks. In 2021, the ferry will depart for dry dock the morning of Saturday, September 11. The vessel is due to return to regular service in the late evening of Saturday, October 2. As always, the return date is tentative and dependent on the scale of repairs and work required in the shipyard.  More information about the Chief’s return to service will be posted on our dry dock website when it is available. 

Friday, September 10 

• The Whatcom Chief will make all of its scheduled runs. 
• The last two regularly scheduled Whatcom Chief departures with vehicle will be:
  • 12:00 p.m. (midnight) in the early morning of Sept. 11 from Lummi Island to Gooseberry Point
  • 12:10 a.m. in the early morning of Sept. 11 from Gooseberry Point to Lummi Island
• The shuttle van begins its normal schedule on Lummi Island. The van can take up to 15 people. Masks are required on the shuttle van per state and federal mandates.

Saturday, September 11 

• No ferry service of any kind until approximately 4 p.m.
• The passenger-only ferry will start regular trips at approximately 4 p.m.

Passenger Ferry Service

• Maximum passengers: 55. 
• Masks are required on the passenger ferry per state and federal mandates. 
• Pets and bicycles are allowed on the stern of the vessel. 
  • Owners are responsible for their pet’s actions; they must be leashed. 
  • Max of 6 bicycles per trip. Bicycles load last.
• Non-motorized wheelchairs only. Motorized wheelchairs are too wide to pass through the opening in the bulwarks of the passenger ferry. 

Passenger Shuttle Van Service

Passenger Shuttle Van Service on Lummi Island will be provided while the Whatcom Chief is in dry dock. 

• The first day of shuttle service is Friday, September 10.  
• The shuttle van will make all scheduled runs through Sunday, October 3.  No shuttle runs will be made after Oct. 3.
• Due to social distancing, the maximum number of passengers allowed in the shuttle van at any one time is 15.  
• Masks are required while riding in the shuttle van.
• The shuttle van must meet a very tight schedule.  Please be at the shuttle van stop EARLY to be sure of a ride.
• No pets or bicycles are allowed in the shuttle. No exceptions. 
• Visit the Dry Dock Website for shuttle van schedule, map, and route information. 

Vehicle Parking

• More information about vehicle parking during dry dock will be posted soon. 

For More Information

• Copies of the Passenger-Only Ferry Schedule, and the Lummi Island Passenger Shuttle Van Schedules, including the pickup route, are available on the dry dock website. 
  • The dry dock parking plan will be posted as soon as it becomes available.  
• Should you have any questions, contact Public Works Administration at 360-778-6200. 

Thank you for your cooperation and patience during the annual dry dock!