Plover to resume ferry rides starting August 24, city of Blaine says

Update:  The city of Blaine announced  on August 23 that the city needed to temporarily suspend the ferry service until further notice. 

The city of Blaine announced the historic Plover ferry will resume rides around Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Bay on Saturday, August 24.

City manager Mike Harmon said it’s the city’s intention, unless directed otherwise, that the 80-year-old passenger ferry will offer free rides for the remainder of the season.

The city-owned ferry typically ends service after Labor Day Weekend, but Harmon said the city would like to run the ferry through September, hinging upon the availability of captains, deckhands and Blaine City Council’s support. The ferry would end service earlier if demand slows, Harmon said.The ferry schedule is expected to be finalized by Friday, August 23, Harmon said, adding the city has hired three captains and a retired U.S. Coast Guard officer to manage its operations.

The city is also determining whether it will need to dock the Plover only at Blaine Harbor, instead of also making a stop at Semiahmoo Spit.

Drayton Harbor Maritime (DHM), which oversaw the repairs and has historically operated the boat, leases the slip where the Plover docks at Semiahmoo Spit. However, Harmon said there is a clause in DHM’s slip lease agreement that requires the nonprofit to use the space for recreation and tourism, and the city believes if that clause is not met, Semiahmoo Resort can choose another ferry to dock there. Harmon said he hopes the city has an answer on whether the Plover will dock at Semiahmoo Spit by the afternoon of Thursday, August 22.

The city announced the Plover’s sailing date in an August 16 news release.

“To show our heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support and patience, we’re offering these inaugural cruises absolutely free,” the city of Blaine wrote. “We’ve missed you as much as you’ve missed the Plover, and we can’t wait to welcome you aboard. Your steadfast enthusiasm for this historic gem of Blaine has been truly inspiring, and we’re thrilled to bring it back to life for our community.”

The Plover concluded nearly two years of major repairs earlier this summer. The vessel made an initial voyage on July 12 before a financial dispute between the city and DHM stalled the official grand opening.

The boat was built in 1944 to transport workers from Blaine Harbor to the old Alaska Packers Association salmon cannery on Semiahmoo Spit, and has been enshrined in the National Register of Historic Places since 1997.