Guemes Island Ferry Operating Vehicle Service Under Load Restriction
Due to structural concerns with the Guemes Island and Anacortes ferry terminal bridges, the Guemes Island Ferry is operating under a load restriction of 5 tons, 10,000 pounds, per vehicle. Vehicles or vehicles and trailers with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less will be permitted aboard the Guemes Island Ferry. These restrictions are to ensure continued safe operations, protect ferry infrastructure, and remain in compliance with engineering requirements.
This limit applies to all passenger vehicles, trucks, vans, and light‑duty work vehicles that meet or fall below the manufacturer‑assigned GVWR. This restriction is based on the GVWR, not the vehicle's actual load or operating weight. For vehicles towing trailers, this will be a combined weight including the GVWR and trailer weight, along with a visual inspection of the contents. Any vehicle suspected of approaching or exceeding our strict weight limit must show staff a clean, legible manufacturer’s certification label verifying a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less to be cleared for boarding.
The Skagit County Public Works Department is evaluating a plan for long-term repair of both the Anacortes and Guemes Island terminal bridges. Skagit County anticipates the ferry will operate under a load restriction for several weeks until repairs can be completed. More information on the timeline for repairs will be shared soon.
For more information on how vehicle eligibility, boarding limitations, and future updates, please visit our website: www.skagitcountywa.gov/ferry
Previous service alerts related to the ferry from this week can be found here.
Background
On Monday, October 26, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) conducted a routine bridge inspection at the Skagit County Anacortes ferry terminal. Skagit County contracts with WSDOT for inspections of the Guemes Island and Anacortes ferry terminal bridges every two years because they have certified staff and equipment to properly inspect the steel structures for the Ferry Division. During the inspection of the Anacortes terminal bridge, significant, previously unknown damage was found, including corrosion and section loss of the structural components that support part of the transfer span.
Due to safety concerns, the Skagit County Engineer and Public Works staff determined the terminal bridges should be closed immediately until additional inspections could be completed. Skagit County contracted with Arrow Launch to provide passenger-only service from Cap Sante to Guemes Island the evening of October 26 and the morning of October 27.
On the morning of Tuesday, October 27, Public Works and WSDOT inspectors evaluated the Anacortes terminal bridge and determined passenger-only service could be conducted moving forward. The Guemes Island Ferry resumed passenger-only service from the Skagit County Anacortes terminal to Guemes Island starting with the 9:45 a.m. sailing on October 27.
Public Works and WSDOT continued inspecting the Anacortes and Guemes Island terminal bridges on Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday, October 28, to determine the extent of the damage on both bridges, and if vehicle service could be offered with a reduced load rating. Similar damage was found on the Guemes Island bridge structure. Public Works installed steel plates over the Anacortes bridge to improve the structural integrity of the transfer span. This was not necessary on the Guemes Island transfer span. The County Engineer then determined the bridges were safe for vehicle traffic under a 5-ton, 10,000, load rating per vehicle.
Vehicle service resumed under the load rating on Thursday, October 29, for the 1:00 p.m. sailing. Public Works staff are evaluating a long-term repair plan to fix both the Anacortes and Guemes Island bridge damage in the coming weeks.
Questions about ferry service can be emailed to ferrycomments@skagitcountywa.gov
