Plover ferry makes long-awaited voyage after nearly two years of repairs

The historic Plover ferry, originally built in 1944 to transport workers from Blaine Harbor to the old Alaska Packers Association salmon cannery on Semiahmoo Spit, finally launched July 12 after nearly two years of extensive repairs were completed by Drayton Harbor Martime (DHM) and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard on July 10.

The Plover was repaired by DHM, a nonprofit team of experienced boat mechanics and repairmen, which received roughly $130,000 in funding from the city of Blaine to replace aging wooden planks, among other issues.

The Plover ferry was enshrined in the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.