Ferry Division releases 2017 ferry schedule

Dec. 6, 2016

MANNS HARBOR – The N.C. Ferry Division has released the 2017 ferry schedule, and has reinstated the asked-for 10:30 a.m. run in the summer between Hatteras and Ocracoke.

The 2017 ferry schedules released Monday show the 10:30 a.m. run reinstated.

At the November meeting with several islanders, Chris Bock, superintendent of operations at Hatteras, said he would try to reinstate that morning departure, which helps local restaurants.

Both newly elected Ocracoke commissioner Tom Pahl and Amy Srail, owner of the Pirate’s Chest, asked for this run.

“There’s nothing better you could do for Ocracoke than to schedule that 10:30 a.m. run,” Srail, said. “In the summer, we need seven boats running every 30 minutes. That’s the bottom line.”

While the schedules are mostly the same as last year, the spring Hatteras-Ocracoke schedule has been extended.

This schedule will start April 11, the week before Easter, and continue to May 15.  The summer schedule, which has the most runs, starts May 16 and runs to Oct. 2.

Printable copies of the Ferry System’s 2017 schedule are available on the Ferry Division’s webpage.

Ferry Division Director Ed Goodwin said in a press release that the spring extension was made because Easter is later next year and because of several shoulder season events that are drawing more visitors earlier in the season.

“We consulted with the organizers of those events and expanded the schedule to give them the service they need,” Goodwin said.