State ferries also being used to transport emergency resources to help in storm recovery
RALEIGH – The N.C. Ferry Division will resume visitor service from Cedar Island to Ocracoke starting Friday (Sept. 21) in addition to service from Swan Quarter the same day.
The Swan Quarter to Ocracoke Island ferry service resumed on a limited schedule for essential personnel and residents on Sept. 16. The ferry is now making five trips a day between Swan Quarter and Ocracoke.
Cedar Island to Ocracoke resumed limited service for essential personnel and residents of Ocracoke on Tuesday and will resume service for tourists on Friday.
The ferry between Hatteras and Ocracoke Island is being used to shuttle essential emergency responders from Hyde County and NCDOT workers and transportation equipment to help clear N.C. 12, which was damaged and made impassable on the northern end of Ocracoke Island.
NCDOT crews are working to clear sand from the pavement and build a protective berm along this stretch from the pony pen north to the ferry dock. NCDOT expects to award a contract in the next few days for work to restore the protective dunes and repair damage to the pavement. A timeline for completing that work on Ocracoke Island has not yet been determined.
As in past storms, some ferries are also being used to carry needed supplies to impacted areas with limited access by road.
Southport to Fort Fisher routes resumed Wednesday on a limited schedule for Brunswick County residents and essential vendors, people with critical medical and commerce responsibilities, and infrastructure support personnel.
Two state ferries arrived in Southport late Tuesday evening after traveling 14 hours down the Intracoastal Waterway carrying much-needed fuel, transportation workers and supplies to the Wilmington area.
NCDOT will announce when service for visitors resumes on those routes.
Cherry Branch to Minnesott Beach ferry service resumed Wednesday for daytime trips only.
Bayview to Aurora ferry services resumed Tuesday evening.
Currituck to Knotts Island ferry service resumed full service on Sept. 15.
For a full schedule of all temporary ferry routes, visit NCDOT’s Ferry Division webpage.
