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12/06/2005: "Fairhaven to Friday Harbor Ferry Service Launched"

By Gordy Petersen

The new passenger ferry began operations Monday. Previous Story The Victoria Star will make 2 round-trip sailings Monday through Friday from Bellingham Cruise Terminal to the Port dock at Friday Harbor. The ferry leaves Friday Harbor at 9am and 5pm. The trip takes about an hour and a half. For Island passengers visiting Fairhaven for a day trip, the return sailing leaves the terminal at 3pm.

It is a great day-trip for both Islanders and visitors from Bellingham. Islanders can easily fill out the 5-hours just walking around the historic village of Fairhaven. The terminal is 2 blocks from the downtown business area where you will find many shops, stores, pubs, and restaurants. For the visitors coming to Friday Harbor from Bellingham it is even better. They will be able to spend 8-hours in Friday Harbor visiting our quality shops and restaurants and seeing the sights of our island town (or working). Both towns are ideal for walking around in and both towns are first class destinations.


The Victoria Star is a safe, comfortable, and user-friendly vessel. Unlike the state ferries, this ship has food service and a full bar that is actually open for business. You can choose your favorite espresso drink or order brewed Seattle's Best coffee that is excellent. On the way back you can sip a cocktail or have hot tea. Because the ship is licensed for international sailing, the safety gear is first rate and the crew knows how to use it. The Victoria Star runs at 19 knots on bio-diesel, and has plenty of room for baggage and bicycles and it is pet-friendly! The ferry can take up to 150 passengers so reservations are not required. Tickets are purchased on board for $10 one-way or a commuter book is available ($75 for ten tickets).

Bellingham, as a destination, has many advantages over Anacortes. Besides the advantage of arriving within a town center, the Bellingham Cruise Terminal has many potential travel connections available. If you want to rent a car, you can fill out the forms on-board the ferry and pick up the car when you arrive. The cost is $20 for four hours. There is regular city bus service right at the dock (schedules are available onboard). There is a Greyhound Bus station and an Amtrack train station right there. You can also catch the ferry to Alaska that runs year around. Taxicabs are available and waiting as you arrive. The Port is working on a plan to make exclusive long-term parking available for islanders. The Port is also considering a plan to make weekend sailings possible.

What is the long-term viability of this service? The grant subsidy that makes the low fares possible is temporary. The program is an experiment to test the economic feasibility of the ferry service. Obviously, this connection to the mainland has the potential to make living in the islands more convenient. There are many social and economic benefits to both communities. For example, Western Washington University is just a mile away from the dock. There are concerts and cultural events in Bellingham that are not found in the islands. Bellingham has a major hospital and many other medical services. It would be to the advantage of both communities to make this connection permanent and affordable. That means people need to use the service in order to make it viable. If it is successful, many other services could develop from it that would enhance the quality of life in both communities.