Drayton Harbor Maritime (DHM), the nonprofit in charge of restoring the historic Plover passenger ferry, has taken a hiatus from repair work after depleting the funding it received from Blaine City Council.
Plover captain Richard Sturgill said the U.S. Coast Guard required additional repairs that went above the city’s original budget. Sturgill said DHM will ask city council for additional funds during its Monday, August 14 meeting.
The U.S. Coast Guard discovered the repairs last fall that need to be made before the ferry could continue trips between Blaine Harbor and Semiahmoo Spit. Sturgill has previously said the repairs are more extensive than the original restoration in the ’90s, requiring extensive work to the boat’s hull, keel and bow.
Last December, city council gave DHM $30,000 to repair the ferry. Sturgill said the Plover now needs an additional $58,000 to finish restoration, making the total $88,000.
The Plover crew realized a couple of months ago that repairs would go over budget, Sturgill said.
