The historic Plover Ferry, once promised to sail again this month, likely won’t see water again for some time after the City of Blaine announced on Thursday, Aug. 29 that the 80-year-old boat received a “No-Sail Order” from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Residents and visitors have been eagerly awaiting trips on the freshly restored foot ferry that travels between Blaine Harbor Marina and the Semiahmoo Spit. The Plover was supposed to take its first journey on Saturday, Aug. 24, but on Aug. 23, the City of Blaine announced operations were canceled.
According to the city, during training exercises the crew discovered an area of rotting wood on a section of the Plover’s stern. The captains were instructed to await an inspection by the Coast Guard. The USCG issued the no-sail order after completing a comprehensive inspection on Aug. 28.
Boat operations ceased during COVID-19, then started up again in 2022, but not for long. Due to years of deferred maintenance, the Plover was deemed to need extensive repairs, and it did not sail in the 2023 season. Drayton Harbor Maritime, a local nonprofit organization, took on the project, but the repair did not include restoration of the stern, only the keel and bow. After disputes between the city and the nonprofit regarding the cost and timespan of the project, DHM is no longer involved with the Plover.
Ron Snyder, a DHM board member, wrote in a letter to the council and mayor on Aug. 24: “Anyone who knows anything about old wooden houses and old wooden boats knows that sooner or later you are going to have to do a major refitting and rebuilding, or the thing you love will molder away. Along with knowing the above, you probably also know it will cost more money and take longer to fix than it cost or took to build it from scratch.”
The Blaine City Council accepted the completion of the work during its meeting on Aug. 26. The ferry will remain out of service while the stern is repaired.
Julia Tellman writes about civic issues and anything else that happens to cross her desk; contact her at juliatellman@cascadiadaily.com.
