Guemes Ferry maintenance scheduled for Feb. 24 – March 18
Annual maintenance will take the Guemes Island Ferry out of service beginning Sunday, Feb. 24. The vessel is expected to return to service by 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 19.
During the haul-out, Arrow Launch Services will provide passenger-only ferry service aboard the vessel Strait Arrow; the vessel can accommodate 49 passengers and bicycles. Additionally, Skagit Transit will provide shuttle service on Guemes Island starting Saturday, Feb. 23. The shuttle will operate 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and on Saturday; 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday; and 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Sunday. The suggested fee is $1 for standard fare and $0.50 for a reduced fare (senior/disabled/youth).
“Taking the vehicle ferry out of service is always an inconvenience for our islanders, riders and neighboring residents,” said Capt. Rachel Rowe, Skagit County Ferry Operations Division Manager. “In-depth maintenance and repairs are critical to keeping the 40-year-old vessel running smoothly. We’re also conducting an inspection of the Guemes that will help us create a practical maintenance plan for the remaining life of the vessel.”
Passenger-only service will start at 8 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, and will run on the non-peak sailing schedule: 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. The schedule is also available online at www.skagitcounty.net/ferry.
The passenger vessel Strait Arrow can accommodate small motorbikes or electric scooters at the discretion of the captain. Extreme weather conditions, including high winds and low tides, may affect the service.
Maintenance work on the ferry is being completed by Foss Shipyard in Seattle. In addition to routine maintenance, Foss will remove and replace an outdrive, transmissions, drivelines, propellers, and emergency fire pumps. Crews will also completely remove and renew the car deck coating, and recoat the hull. Separate from this work, a marine surveyor will conduct an in-depth marine survey to include ultrasonic inspection of the vessel’s hull, car deck, framing, and tanks. A marine engineer, marine surveyor, and specialized inspection services will determine a maintenance plan for the remaining service life of the Guemes, as well as information about a vessel repower should the ferry replacement project be delayed for any reason.
The last maintenance haul-out of the M/V Guemes was in February and March of 2017.
Find more information about the Guemes Ferry online at www.skagitcounty.net/ferry. For questions or more details, please contact Rachel Rowe at 360-416-1466 or rrowe@co.skagit.wa.us.
PUBLIC NOTICE SHUTTLE SERVICE on Guemes Island from:
February 23 through March 19, 2019.
| Hours of Service: | |
| Monday-Thursday | 7:00 am – 11:45 am 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm |
| Friday | 7:00 am – 11:45 am 12:30 pm – 7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 7:00 am – 11:45 am 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm |
| Sunday | 8:30 am – 11:45 am 12:30 pm – 5:15 pm |
| _______________________________________________ | __________________________ |
| For service call Dispatch at | 360-757-4433 Press #1 Ask For Guemes Dispatch |
GUEMES ISLAND
SHUTTLE INFORMATION
Skagit Transit will provide call-in shuttle service for Guemes Island residents to meet the passenger ferry during the ferry haul-out.
To arrange a pickup, call Skagit Transit Dispatch at 757-4433, press #1 and ask for Guemes Dispatch. The Dispatcher will relay information to the driver via radio.
Please call at least 1 hour ahead of your requested pick-up time.
The shuttle may not be able to meet all ferry arrivals and departures, so please plan ahead. Skagit Transit will have one bus providing the shuttle service. The driver will deliver all passengers who arrive on the ferry. Customers on the island are asked to call at least one hour ahead of their desired pick-up time.
The last ferry to be met will be at 5:30 pm Monday – Thursday, and Saturday.
The last ferry to be met on Friday will be at 6:45 pm.
On Sunday, the last ferry to be met will be at 5:15 pm.
The driver will return to Anacortes on the 6:15 pm ferry Monday – Thursday, and Saturday; and on the 8:00 pm ferry Friday. The driver will return to Anacortes on the 5:45 pm ferry on Sunday.
There is a Skagit Transit bus stop located on Guemes Island near the ferry landing. The bus will park there when it is not on the road. The driver will take passengers who arrive on the
For passengers wanting to transfer to Route
Since the bus is not equipped with electronic
Thank you for your cooperation
FAQs
When is the haul out?
The haul out is scheduled for Sunday, February 24, through Monday, March 18.
What is the last run the Guemes Island Ferry will do before going out of service?
The last vehicle ferry run is 11:00 p.m. Saturday, February 23. Passenger-only service will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday, February 24.
Where do I catch the passenger-only boat?
You’ll catch the passenger-only boat at the same Ferry Dock location – 500 I Avenue, Anacortes. Passenger-only service will be provided by Arrow Launch. The 49-passenger vessel will operate on a first-come,
Is there a charge for the passenger-only service?
Yes. The fares will be charged in accordance with the ferry’s non-peak fare schedule which can be found at skagitcounty.net/ferry. If you regularly use the passenger ferry, we strongly encourage you to purchase 25-trip punch cards. The cards may be purchased at the ferry office and are valid for one year.
What is the sailing schedule for the passenger-only service?
The ferry will operate on its non-peak sailing schedule: Monday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The schedule is available online at skagitcounty.net/ferry.
Can I bring my bicycle or motorcycle onboard the passenger boat?
The passenger-only boat can accommodate bicycles. Small motorbikes and motorcycles will be allowed on a space-available basis at the Captain’s discretion.
What if I need to get my vehicle on or off of the Island during the ferry shut down?
If you need to transport a vehicle between Anacortes and Guemes Island during the ferry haul-out, you will need to make your own arrangements. Two local companies that may be able to assist are Island Transport and San Juan Marine Freight Company.
When is the Guemes Island Ferry scheduled to resume service?
The vehicle ferry is scheduled to resume service at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19. Please visit skagitcounty.net/ferry for any updates to this information.
What should I do if there is an emergency?
If you have an emergency, dial 911 right away. For more information on emergency services, please contact your local fire department.
If I want to talk to someone about the ferry outage, who do I contact?
Please contact: Rachel Rowe, Ferry Operations Division Manager
Email: rrowe@co.skagit.wa.us
Phone: (360) 416-1466; Cell Phone: (360) 333-1496
Will there be a Skagit Transit bus on Guemes Island?
Yes. During the ferry shutdown period, a Skagit Transit shuttle bus on Guemes Island will assist with transportation needs between homes and the ferry dock only. It will not provide all-island transportation. The shuttle will begin service at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 23 and run through 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19.
The shuttle will operate on a call-in basis according to the following schedule:
Monday – Thursday
7:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday
7:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday
7:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. & 12:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sunday
8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. – 5:15 pm
To arrange a pick-up, please call Dispatch at least one hour ahead of your requested pick-up time at (360) 757-4433 (Press #1 and ask for Guemes Dispatch).
Since the bus is not equipped with electronic fare boxes, the suggested fare is $1 for
Helpful Tips
• When loading at both the Anacortes and Guemes Island docks, please wait at the top of the ramp or designated passenger staging areas until all of the passengers have disembarked the vessel. This will help keep the loading and unloading areas clear and safe.
• If you need special accommodations or have limited mobility, please let a crewmember know. Wheelchairs will be available at the dock. You are welcome to call our office (360) 293-6433 in advance.
• Pay attention during the boarding and disembarking process and always follow the instructions of the Captains and Crew. Please be aware of your surroundings at all times and watch your step. There will be plenty of time to chat with your neighbor on the boat ride across the channel.
• If you have bicycles, small motorbikes, carts, or cargo, you will need to stow these items on the back deck of the passenger boat.
• Pets are allowed, but must be on leashes or contained within kennels, cages, etc. Pets are not allowed in the cabin. Horses are not allowed on the passenger-only vessel at any time.
• Personal folding carts can take up less room than wheelbarrows and are encouraged. Wheelbarrows will still be available at the dock.
• School children will have priority boarding on all scheduled school runs.
• Please allow yourself plenty of time to catch your desired sailing.
• Purchase walk-on punch cards at the ferry terminal in advance. 25-trip passenger punch cards offer a discount, and they are good for one year.
• When loading at both the Anacortes and Guemes Island docks, please wait at the top of the ramp or designated passenger staging areas until all of the passengers have disembarked the vessel. This will help keep the loading and unloading areas clear and safe.
• If you need special accommodations or have limited mobility, please let a crewmember know. Wheelchairs will be available at the dock. You are welcome to call our office (360) 293-6433 in advance.
• Pay attention during the boarding and disembarking process and always follow the instructions of the Captains and Crew. Please be aware of your surroundings at all times and watch your step. There will be plenty of time to chat with your neighbor on the boat ride across the channel.
• If you have bicycles, small motorbikes, carts, or cargo, you will need to stow these items on the back deck of the passenger boat.
• Pets are
• Personal folding carts can take up less room than wheelbarrows and are encouraged. Wheelbarrows will still be available at the dock.
• School children will have priority boarding on all scheduled school runs.
• Please allow yourself plenty of time to catch your desired sailing.
• Purchase walk-on punch cards at the ferry terminal in advance. 25-trip passenger punch cards offer a discount, and they are good for one year.