Guemes Ferry October Newsletter
Public Works Department
The foggy, fall weather is officially upon us, marking the end of the ferry peak season, and we’re all counting down to our favorite holidays! Take a look at our October newsletter edition for some important updates about maintenance work and fare schedules.
Bulletin Board Updates
REMINDER: Daylight Savings Time Change November 1
A quick reminder that Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 AM. Clocks will “fall back” one hour. Please keep this time change in mind when planning your ferry trips, especially early‑morning sailings on Sunday.
Updated Ferry Fare Schedule
On October 20, Public Works met with the County Commissioners in a work session to provide the Board with a brief review of the 2027 fare schedule proposal, the current methodology for calculating fares, and the fare setting process to date. The recording of this meeting is on our website.
At the meeting, staff sought direction regarding how to proceed with the 2027 ferry fares. After discussing public feedback and the financial projections associated with each option, the Board indicated support for maintaining fares at the current 2026 levels, while also conducting a broader policy review to simplify or revise the existing fare‑setting framework.
This approach will allow the County to take a closer look at how fares are structured, how targets are set, and how the process can be made clearer and more responsive to community needs. The policy review will include opportunities for public engagement.
More information about next steps and opportunities to participate will be shared in the coming months.
Recent Meeting Files and Recordings
Recordings for the September and October work sessions and presentations have been posted to the ferry 2027 budget and fare proposal website for your review. All Commissioner work sessions are recorded through Zoom. If you would like to request a recording of one of the Budget and Finance Department work sessions, please email commissioners@skagitcountywa.gov.
Car and Driver Tickets Do Not Include Passengers
As a reminder, when you purchase a car & driver ticket, that fare covers only the driver and the vehicle. Any additional passengers who are 18 and older need a passenger ticket to board.
A couple of helpful notes:
- Youth (18 & under) ride free; no tickets required.
- Senior (65+)/disabled discounts are available for eligible riders.
To avoid delays during boarding, please ensure everyone in your vehicle has the correct ticket before arrival.
Upcoming Parking Lot Maintenance
On Tuesday, December 15, we will be doing maintenance on the stormwater systems in the Anacortes terminal parking lots. This will require a one-day closure of portions of the parking areas. More information will be published in the November newsletter.
Apron Flaps Project
Project Update
The flaps on both the Anacortes and Guemes Island bridge aprons have been successfully replaced. All materials for this project were prefabricated by the skilled employees in our Equipment Rental & Revolving (ER&R) Division, allowing us to bring this phase in-house and reduce costs for the ferry division.
The Contractor, Combined Construction, was allocated five working days to complete the scope of work. Construction began Monday night, October 19. Following the first night of work, the ferry was able to resume normal vehicle and passenger service on Tuesday, October 20.
On Tuesday night, the contractor transitioned to the Guemes Island apron. Their team maintained an efficient workflow, enabling the ferry to return to full service the following morning. This early return to vehicle service was possible because of careful phasing, pre‑planning by the project team, and the contractor’s ability to execute work efficiently within short overnight windows.
The third and final phase of this project is to replace the navigational lighting required by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) on the Anacortes side and install new USCG required navigational lighting on the Guemes Island side. No ferry shutdowns will be required to complete this phase.
While a small number of punch list items remain, these activities can be addressed during shorter, targeted work periods and are not expected to impact ferry service.
Our ferry aprons are 48 years old, and although the flaps have been replaced periodically, the sockets welded directly to the apron structure have not been replaced in decades. Working on original steel of this age carries inherent uncertainty, as conditions can’t be fully assessed until the steel is exposed and cut.
We know our riders rely on consistent service and clear communication, and we take these challenges seriously. We understand how essential reliable ferry service is and how disruptive unexpected changes can be. Our goal is to keep you informed with accurate, timely updates while balancing the need to plan for potential risks and deliver the most efficient outcomes possible.
Foggy Weather Days
We’ve had regular, thick fog over the last couple of weeks at the ferry terminal, and we want to thank both our crew and our riders for being extra vigilant as we navigated some tricky weather.
We spoke with Ferry Captain Van Bowling about what it’s like to operate the Guemes when visibility drops and the channel turns gray.
1. What are some of the extra precautions you take before sailing in thick fog?
Before a fog run, we set up as many visual and instrumental reference points as possible. Shore‑mounted fog lights on the transfer spans are switched on, giving me a fixed light directly above each apron to steer toward. In addition to the lookout in the wheelhouse, a deckhand is posted on the bow to watch and listen for anything the instruments may not catch right away. These steps provide multiple layers of awareness when the horizon disappears.
2. What might you be concerned about when sailing in fog or other inclement weather?
The primary concern is the possibility of encountering another vessel that may be moving quietly or without clear visibility. Fog can make the channel feel still, but that doesn’t mean traffic isn’t out there. Constant monitoring of radar and the vessel’s surroundings is essential.
3. How do you make sure you’re sailing straight or in the right direction when you can’t see where you’re going?
Radar and compass become the main guides during low visibility. In the wheelhouse, I track the ferry’s position and heading continuously, watching how the shoreline, buoys, and any moving contacts appear on the radar. Even if the world outside looks like a blank wall of white, the instruments keep the me oriented and on course.
4. How can you be sure to land at the apron correctly when fog blocks your view?
Once the Guemes gets closer to the approach between the dolphins, the apron and wing walls become visible even in heavy fog, giving me the final visual cues needed for a safe landing. As part of the apron flap replacement project, new lights will soon be installed on the outer dolphins to improve visibility during nighttime and foggy operations, an important upgrade for both safety and consistency.
5. Are there any extra precautions that riders can take on foggy days?
Yes. If you’re in a vehicle, please keep your headlights off during loading, while underway, and when unloading. Headlights reflecting off fog can shine directly back toward the crew and make important visual signals harder to see. Our Captains and crew are highly experienced operating in fog, but crossings may take a little longer in low visibility. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
2027 Budget and Fare Setting Schedule - UPDATED
Budget season at Skagit County officially kicked off on July 13th with our annual budget call. Skagit County is continuing to face a significant budget imbalance. If the 2027 budget were adopted with the same service levels as 2026, grown with inflation, current projects indicate there would be an approximate $10 million deficit in the General Fund for 2027.
This deficit is not the result of a single decision, department, or economic event, rather it reflects a continuing trend in which expenditure growth is outpacing sustainable revenue growth. The County will be evaluating long-term sustainable changes to services and programs to ensure financial stability.
To learn more about the County Commissioners’ priorities for the upcoming budget season, read the Commissioners’ full message on our website.
We are nearing the end of our process to adopt the 2027 budget. See the schedule below for past meetings and upcoming public comment opportunities.
September 3 – September 22: Formal written public comment period on the proposed 2027 ferry fare schedule.
September 22: The County Commissioners hosted a public hearing on the proposed 2027 ferry fare schedule from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room.
October: The Commissioners hosted the annual series of budget work sessions, with all departments. The Public Works session was on October 8, 2026.
October 20: The Commissioners will consider adoption of the 2027 ferry fare schedule at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room. UPDATE: The Commissioners hosted a non-televised work session at 8:30 a.m., to discuss public feedback for proposed 2027 fare schedule and next steps.
December 7: The Commissioners will host a public hearing at 11:00 a.m. to consider testimony on the 2027 budget. There will be a published written comment period for the draft 2027 budget.
December 14: The Commissioners will consider adoption of the 2027 budget at 2:00 p.m.
Please be advised, these dates and times may change due to the Commissioners’ schedule. If meetings are changed, we will send you an updated schedule.
If you have any questions about the upcoming meetings, please email ferrycomments@skagitcountywa.gov
Contact Information for Customer Support and Services
Guemes Island Ferry Business Office
500 I Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221
Phone: (360) 416-1466
Email: ferrycomments@skagitcountywa.gov
Website: www.skagitcountywa.gov/ferry
The ferry business office is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please note, our phone number has recently changed. If you call our business office outside business hours, or if there is no answer during business hours, please leave us a voicemail. We return voicemails by the next business day.
Feedback? We'd love to hear from you!
If you have thoughts, ideas, or feedback on our monthly newsletter,
Jenn Rogers, Communications and Engagement Manager, would love to hear from you!
You can e-mail her at jrogers@skagitcountywa.gov
