MV Plover facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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MV Plover (ferry)
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 Location in Washington (state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | 245 Marine Dr.; Blaine Harbor Berth A-11, Blaine, WA |
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| Built | 1944, Bryants Marina Inc., Seattle |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000551 |
| Added to NRHP | June 4, 1997 |
The MV Plover is a special ferry boat in Whatcom County, Washington. It's not very big, weighing 11 tons and carrying up to 17 passengers. This historic boat was built way back in 1944. In 1997, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important part of history!
The City of Blaine, Washington owns the Plover. A group called Drayton Harbor Maritime helps run it. The Plover has a cool history, from carrying workers to now taking people on fun summer trips.
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What is the MV Plover?
The MV Plover is a small ferry boat with a big story. It was built during World War II, in 1944. Its main job was to carry workers across the water.
Early Life as a Work Ferry
Originally, the Plover helped people get to work. It ferried workers from Blaine to a fish processing factory called a cannery at Semiahmoo Spit. This was a very important job until 1964. The cannery is now the site of the Semiahmoo Resort.
A New Life as a Passenger Ferry
After its working days, the Plover was lovingly brought back to life. Volunteers from the Whatcom Maritime Historical Society worked hard to restore it. Now, during the summer, the Plover carries passengers. It travels from the Blaine harbor dock across Drayton Harbor to the resort dock.
This trip is super short, only about 1 kilometer (or 0.6 miles)! People say it's the shortest ferry ride in all of Washington state. The Plover is also the second oldest ferry in Washington that still carries people on foot. The only one older is the Carlisle II, which was built in 1917.
A Recognized Historic Boat
The Plover is not just old; it's also famous for its history. In 1997, it was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history.
Award for Restoration
In 1998, the amazing work done to restore the Plover was recognized with a special award. The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation gave it the Valerie Sivinski Award. This award celebrates projects that do a great job of preserving historic places. The Plover's restoration was seen as an excellent example of how to care for historic boats.
