LUMMI ISLAND, Wash. -- The Lummi Island ferry will begin its annual dry dock this Wednesday.

People who use the Whatcom Chief are going to see some disruptions during the dry dock.

The ferry will provide passenger-only service between Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point from 5:40 a.m. until about 10 a.m. today.

Ferry service will then be discontinued until a private passenger-only ferry is ready around 2:30 p.m.

The Whatcom Chief is set to be back in service starting Thursday, September 27.

Whatcom County Public Works Director Frank Abart says the yearly dry docking is required by the U.S. Coast Guard and increases the reliability of the ferry.

He says the Whatcom Chief has been serving Lummi Island residents since 1962.

Ferry schedules during the dry dock are available at www.whatcomchief.org.