The Guemes Island Ferry System had a 99% reliability rating in 2021 and completed more runs than were scheduled. Want to know more? Check out our performance metrics from 2021 and stay tuned for up-to-date information for 2022.
Read the metrics here.
Ferry Haul Out Scheduled for Spring, 2023
The next scheduled ferry haul-out is planned in March/April, 2023. We do not have exact dates yet; the project still needs to go out for bid. The vessel's Certificate of Inspection mandates the ferry go out of service for maintenance no later than March 31, 2023. It is estimated the outage will be 21-28 days, during which time passenger-only service will be provided. We should be able to announce final dates for next year's haul-out later this summer. We will keep you posted.
What kind of work items are scheduled?
During the next haul-out, it is business as usual with routine maintenance expected.
Work items scheduled for 2023 include spot painting of the hull, house, bulwarks, void spaces, and car deck, routine service on all major machinery and equipment, stripping and cleaning of fuel tanks, other minor repairs and maintenance items, and completion of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) dry dock credit.
The last USCG dry dock credit was completed in June, 2021.
July 29, 2022
Guemes Island Ferry Fueling Schedule
The Guemes Island Ferry will re-fuel every other Tuesday. On fueling days, there will be no second 11:15 a.m. sailing available. For the month of August, fueling days are August 2, 16 and 30. For the month of September, fueling days are September 13 and 27. On these days, the ferry lines could become quite long. Please plan accordingly.
We have moved all scheduled and routine maintenance after-hours. A second 11:15 a.m. run will be available (if needed) all non-fueling days for the rest of the summer. Should an urgent repair need arise that needs to be addressed between 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., we will do our best to send out notification as early as possible.
Be advised it is not uncommon for the system to have two or three boat waits right now, especially in the late morning/mid-afternoon. Our crew is doing their best to keep the vessel running on-time; however, there are days where we do fall behind schedule due to medical emergencies or other unforeseen issues. We are also training new crewmembers so that we can keep the service going. It is important to give yourself plenty of time to catch your desired sailing.
For those who do not know, a second 11:15 a.m. sailing (also known as a double) is only done if we leave cars behind on either dock after the 11:15 a.m. run.
We hope this information helps you plan how you will ride the ferry for the rest of the peak season. We appreciate your patience.
Want to keep an eye on the ferry waiting lines? Check out our webcams at
Ferry Cams (skagitcounty.net). On days a second 11:15 a.m. sailing will not be available, a red sign will be up on the Anacortes dock. You can see it clearly on the camera; if it is not up, a second 11:15 a.m. will be available (if needed).
June 27, 2022
County crews working on island for the next month
County crews will be hauling asphalt to the island this week and next as they work to chip seal all of the roads. This is done every 6 years per the chip seal program. On the days they are unable to haul asphalt, they will be hauling ecology blocks and other materials for Edens Road. Work on Edens road is anticipated through July 31. For the next month, we will see an increase in County equipment using the ferry throughout the day Monday through Thursday. Hauling these materials after-hours would be very costly to the tax-payers of Skagit County; therefore, it is being done during normal operating hours.
We realize the impact of this work; therefore, the ferry will offer a double run (an extra sailing after the 11:15 a.m. sailing) every day through July if we leave cars behind on the 11:15 a.m. run. The only exception would be unplanned maintenance that comes up and needs to be done in order to keep the ferry in service. And, of course, emergency runs will still need to occur as needed.
We hope this early notification helps you to plan how you ride the ferry for the next month.
Any changes to this information will be posted as soon as possible.
Guemes Island Public Open House Held July 28
Skagit County hosted a Guemes Island Public Open House on Thursday, July 28 Video (Zoom recording) | Presentation
The Ferry Dock Rehabilitation Project is entering the construction phase. IMCO General Construction was awarded the contract for $463,934 on June 7, 2021. This project will replace three concrete girders that Skagit County was not able to replace during the dock reconstruction in 2011. These girders are located under the NE corner of the dock, well outside of the area where vehicular traffic drives. These three girders are the main factor in the lower sufficiency rating given to the Anacortes dock. Construction is estimated to begin winter, 2021. Once this project is complete, the Washington State Department of Transportation will re-evaluate the sufficiency rating of the docks during its next bridge inspection.
More information on how WSDOT and the Federal Highway Administration classify bridges.
Related:
Punch cards, peak fares, sailing schedule notices and more.
Contact
Captain Rachel Rowe
Ferry Operations Division Manager
Skagit County Public Works
Anacortes Terminal - 500 I Ave. Anacortes, WA 98221
Ferry Office: (360) 293-6433
Cell: (360) 333-1496
Direct Line: (360) 416-1466
Fax: (360) 293-1899
rrowe@co.skagit.wa.us
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