Whatcom Chief Annual Dry Dock Information

Dry  dock will begin on Wednesday, September 9, 2009.  The Whatcom Chief is due to return to it’s regular schedule on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009.  As always, this date is tentative, and dependent on the scale of repairs and work required both in the shipyard and at the docks.

The last day there will be a vehicle ferry prior to dry dock will be Tuesday, September 8, 2009.  The vehicle ferry will make all of it’s scheduled runs on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.  

On Wednesday, September 9, 2009, the Whatcom Chief will operate as a passenger-only ferry beginning with the first scheduled run of 5:40 a.m. and will continue to run as a passenger-only ferry until it makes it’s last run at 9:50 a.m.  The ferry service will then discontinue while modifications are made to the docks and the floats are set for the contracted passenger-only ferry.  The Whatcom Chief will then depart to the shipyard.  We anticipate the first run with the contracted passenger-only ferry to be approximately the 2:20 p.m. run on Wednesday, September 9, 2009.

The following transportation will be provided during dry dock:

•    Foot Passenger Only Ferry Service transportation will be provided between Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point.  In addition, ferry vehicle parking will be available in designated areas and will be posted at Gooseberry Point.  Please comply by parking in designated/posted areas only.

VEHICLES PARKED IN UNDESIGNATED AREAS WILL BE TOWED AT OWNER’S EXPENSE.  NO EXCEPTIONS.


•    Passenger Shuttle Van Service will be provided September 9 to September 30, 2009, while the Whatcom Chief Ferry is in dry dock.  We are pleased to announce that we have acquired a surplus WTA van for use during dry dock.  The maximum number of passengers allowed in the Shuttle Van at any one time is 15.  The Shuttle Van will be available to provide transportation to and from the passenger ferry between the hours of 5:55 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. and from 3:55 p.m. to 10:50 p.m.

•    Please note that many shuttle van stops have changed from previous years (see below).  The shuttle van stops were re-configured after last year’s dry dock to provide for more coverage of the island while keeping within the same time frames.  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 ALLOWED IN THE PASSENGER SHUTTLE VAN.  NO EXCEPTIONS.


•    Cart Service.  We will again provide the extra staff assistance for the loading/unloading function to help accommodate both the businesses and individuals who need help loading their items on and off the passenger ferry. This service will be available  8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday thru Sunday (no Monday thru Thursday service) for the full dry dock period.

Copies of both the Passenger Only Ferry Schedule and the Passenger Shuttle Van Schedules, including the pickup route, will be available on the passenger ferry and on the Whatcom County websites www.whatcomchief.org. or http://www.whatcomcounty.us/publicworks/ferry/index.jsp.  Should you have any questions, you may contact Chantelle Hilsinger at (360) 676-6692.  Thank you for your cooperation and patience during the annual dry dock.          

Joe Bates
Whatcom County
voice: (360) 676-6707 x52510
voice: (360) 220-6654
311 Grand Ave
Bellingahm, Wa 98225
jbates@co.whatcom.wa.us

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