Lummi Island Ferry to Undergo 3-Week Outage in Late April

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The Whatcom Chief, the ferry that connects Lummi Island to the mainland, will be out of service for a three-week period from April 25 to May 17 for its annual dry dock maintenance. During this time, there will be passenger-only ferry service between Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point, but no shuttle service will be provided on the island itself.

Why it matters

The Whatcom Chief is a vital transportation link for the Lummi Island community, providing the only way for residents and visitors to access the mainland. The annual dry dock outage is a necessary maintenance period, but the lack of shuttle service during this time will create challenges for islanders who rely on the ferry for their daily commutes and errands.

The details

Whatcom County Public Works, which operates the Whatcom Chief, announced the upcoming outage and service changes. Typically, the county provides shuttle service on Lummi Island during the dry dock period to help residents get around, but this year that service will not be offered. The ferry is expected to resume normal operations on May 17, though the return date remains subject to change.

• The Whatcom Chief's annual dry dock outage will take place from April 25 to May 17, 2026.
• Ferry service is expected to resume on May 17, 2026, though the return date remains subject to change.

What’s next

Residents of Lummi Island will need to make alternative transportation arrangements during the three-week outage period, as no shuttle service will be provided on the island.