Hatteras – The Hatteras-Ocracoke route will be on an amended schedule Monday through Wednesday due to minor repairs needed on the M/V Roanoke and the M/V Frisco.
Departures from Hatteras will be at 5 a.m., 6, 8, 9, 11, Noon, 2 p.m., 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and midnight.
Departures from Ocracoke will run at 4:30 a.m., 6:30, 7:30, 9:30, 10:30, 12:30 p.m., 1:30, 3:30, 4:30, 6:30, 7:30, 9:30, 10:30, and 12:30 a.m.
The Roanoke on Saturday ran soft aground 10:30 a.m. on its way from Ocracoke to Hatteras while maneuvering around a dredge pipe in the vicinity of navigational aid #3 in Barney Slough.
It wasn’t freed until around 11 p.m.
The NC Ferry Division reported that there were no injuries to the five passengers or the six crew members.
Over the next few hours, several attempts were made to free the ferry from the shoal.
The Ferry Division then contacted the United States Coast Guard Hatteras Inlet to assist in removing passengers from the Roanoke, and a USCG shallow water craft was dispatched to the scene to transport the passengers to Hatteras, where they were provided meals and accommodations if requested.
As the tide rose, ferry crews were able to free the Roanoke from the shoal with the assistance of the tug Albemarle.
The Roanoke then continued under its own power to Hatteras, where passenger vehicles were unloaded and secured. All vehicles were reclaimed as of 9 a.m. Sunday morning.
No vessel damage or pollution has been reported.
The United States Coast Guard was to complete a full inspection of the Roanoke on Sunday before the ferry is returned to service.
The Roanoke most recently ran aground Nov. 9 near marker #12 in Barney Slough around 11:30 a.m. during an ebbing tide.
