The Whatcom Chief is scheduled to return to service on Saturday, October 2, at approximately 8:00 p.m. following dry dock maintenance work that started on Sept. 11. This scheduled return to service date is contingent upon successful completion of the remaining shipyard repairs and sea trials.

Return to Service Schedule:

Friday, Oct. 1

• In preparation for the Whatcom Chief's return to service, please remove any parked cars that would affect ferry entrance or exit lanes, queuing or driving lanes on both Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island on Friday, October 1.
  1. View parking maps on the Dry Dock Website.
• Vehicles can't be left in any areas that would affect the loading or unloading of cars onto the Whatcom Chief. They must be moved on Oct. 1. 
• Any vehicles left in these areas on Saturday, Oct. 2, will be towed at the owner's expense. 

Saturday, Oct. 2

• The passenger-only ferry will run from 7:00 a.m. until 11:10 a.m.  The last two departures will be:
  1. 11:00 a.m. from Lummi Island
  2. 11:10 a.m. from Gooseberry Point
• No ferry service of any kind from 11:11am-7:59pm while dock modifications are made.
  1. Due to the complex nature of the dry dock switchover, no additional runs will be made to clear the docks after the last posted departure time. Please plan accordingly. 
  2. Both ferry docks will also be unavailable for emergency use during this switchover.  
• The Whatcom Chief is expected to return to service for its 8:00 p.m. run.

Sunday, Oct. 3

• All cars need to be removed from all other supplemental dry dock parking areas on Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island by the end of the day on Sunday, Oct. 3.
  1. View parking maps on the Dry Dock Website.
• Any vehicles left in supplemental parking areas after Oct. 3 will be towed at the owner's expense. No exceptions. 
• Last day for passenger shuttle service. The passenger shuttle van service will make all of its scheduled runs through Sunday, October 3. No shuttle service after this day.

Whatcom County Public Works would like to extend both thanks and gratitude to our travelers for their patience during the Whatcom Chief’s dry dock service outage. While this work is necessary, we know that the outage can be challenging for anyone traveling between Lummi Island and the mainland. Thank you!