The NC Ferry Division’s Sound class ferry the Pamlico has a new home in the Northeast.
The 50+-year-old ferry was sold recently to Cross Sound Ferries, a private company that runs between Connecticut and Long Island, NY, said Tim Hass, NC Ferry Division spokesman.
The company purchased the Pamlico for $1.6 million, he said.
“It was always supposed to be sold after we got the Sea Level three years ago,” Hass said about the sale.
Since then, the Pamlico has been in and out of service and mostly used as a back-up.
Sale of the Pamlico will not affect ferry runs between Ocracoke, Swan Quarter and Cedar Island.
“We need four boats to do our Pamlico Sound schedule,” he explained. “Even without the Pamlico, we have five ferries (Silver Lake, Carteret, Sea Level, Swan Quarter and Cedar Island), which gives us a standby in case of a mechanical issue.”
Since the Pamlico was up for its Coast Guard certification in June—a process that costs lots of money–the Ferry Division decided now was a good time to sell this aging boat.
However, the Pamlico will be revamped by its new owner since, as a private company, they sell food and concessions, Hass said.
In a related issue, Hass said the passenger ferry feasibility study will not be available at the Ferry Division monthly meeting Monday (Jan. 11) at 1 p.m. in the Community Center.
“It’s still in draft form and must be signed off by Transportation Secretary Nick Tennyson,” Hass said.
Local Ferry Division officials are expected to go to Raleigh next week to finalize the study.
Vale atque vale, Pamlico. You were a good ship.
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