Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019.
Island remains closed to visitors due to Hurricane Dorian.
The North Carolina Ferry Division today reversed its Tuesday announcement and reinstated the Hatteras to Silver Lake runs.
On Tuesday the Ferry Division announced that the Silver Lake to Hatteras runs would be discontinued on Thursday, but after hearing from the public today, the Division reinstated the runs with the following schedule:
• Hatteras to Ocracoke-Silver Lake: 6 and 11:15 a.m., 4:30 and 10 p.m.
• Ocracoke-Silver Lake to Hatteras: 8:45 a.m., 2:30 and 7:15 p.m., 12:30 a.m.
This route is open only to vehicles with high ground clearance. Due to potential ramp damage at Silver Lake, all heavy loads must access Ocracoke via Swan Quarter or Cedar Island.
Ferry officials advised that because the are using river class boats, this route will be highly susceptible to cancellation during adverse weather conditions.
Reservations are not available on the Hatteras-Ocracoke Silver Lake route. Vehicles will be loaded by the re-entry priority procedures established by Hyde County. Motorists should arrive 30 minutes before departure time.
Hatteras to South Dock
As announced on Tuesday, the Ferry Division will add limited service only for 4WD vehicles from Hatteras to the South Dock (the north end of Ocracoke) beginning on Thursday (Oct. 3):
• Hatteras to Ocracoke-South Dock: 6:15, 7, and 9 a.m., 4:45, 6, and 7:30 p.m.
• Ocracoke-South Dock to Hatteras: 7:30, 8:30 and 10:15 a.m., 6:30, 7:30, and 9 p.m.
This access will be limited to four-wheel drive vehicles that are rated at ¾ ton capacity or smaller (such as Ford F250, GM K2500, Ram 2500, etc.). Trailers will not be allowed at this time.
Reservations are not available on the Hatteras-Ocracoke South Dock route. Vehicles will be loaded by the re-entry priority procedures established by Hyde County. Motorists should arrive 30 minutes before departure time.
Volunteer groups approved to access Ocracoke are encouraged to board the ferries without vehicles to leave as much deck space as possible for vehicles necessary for hurricane recovery services.
Since Ocracoke is still under a mandatory evacuation, Hyde County is only allowing residents, non-resident property owners, and personnel authorized by Hyde County Emergency Management to access Ocracoke Island. All motorists and pedestrians boarding an Ocracoke-bound ferry must meet the re-entry criteria or be given prior approval by Hyde County.
New commuter passes for Ocracoke residents
Ocracoke commuter pass owners whose vehicles were destroyed in the storm can obtain new passes by bringing their information and identification to the Ocracoke-Silver Lake ferry terminal between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
