Motorists on the Clinton-to-Mukilteo ferry route will have to make due without a 144-car ferry for the next three weeks.

Washington State Ferries announced last week that the ferry Tokitae would be pulled from service on Monday, June 12, and drydocked for U.S. Coast Guard-mandated inspection and vessel maintenance. It was replaced by the smaller, 124-car ferry Chelan.

“WSF recognizes the impact of this service disruption, particularly over the Fourth of July holiday, and we apologize for the inconvenience,” the agency said in a news release. “Unfortunately, WSF is required to dry dock the Tokitae prior to expiration of its Certificate of Inspection, and all other vessels are currently either undergoing maintenance or are already in service on other routes.”

Motorists should plan ahead and expect longer wait times until the Tokitae can return to the route later in July. The agency, a division of the state Department of Transporation, thanked the public for its patience and understanding.