North Carolina Ferry System

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NCDOT Ferry System

Number of ferries:	24
Routes:	-Currituck to Knott's Island -Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke Island -Ocracoke Island to Swan Quarter -Ocracoke Island to Cedar Island -Bayview to Aurora -Cherry Branch to Minnesott Beach -Southport, North Carolina to Fort Fisher

The North Carolina Ferry System is a division of NCDOT that is responsible for the operation of over two dozen boats that transport passengers and vehicles to several water-locked island communities along the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

[edit] History

Ferries have always played a vital role to the residents and visitors of Eastern North Carolina. The first ferries began in the mid-1920's when Captain J.B.(Toby)Tillett established a tug and barge service across Oregon Inlet along North Carolina's Outer Banks.

In 1934, the North Carolina Highway Commission recognized the importance of this service to residents and began subsidizing Tillett's business. These subsidies kept tolls at an affordable level. In 1942, the Highway Commission began full reimbursement to eliminate the tolls. Tillett was fully subsidized until 1950 when his business was sold to the state.

In 1947, the Commission purchased the ferry operations of T.A. Baum, who operated a route that ran across Croatan Sound and linked Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island. This became the first route of the N.C. Ferry System.

The logo of the North Carolina Ferry System that appears on all the vessels beneath the name of the vessel on the tower.

[edit] Today

The North Carolina Department of Transportation's Ferry Division extends over seven routes, has 24 ferries and employs over 400 workers. The operations are supported by a full service shipyard, dredge, military-style landing craft utility vehicles (LCU's), tugs, barges, and other support vessels.

Each year, North Carolina ferries transport over 1.1 million vehicles and more than 2.5 million passengers across five separate bodies of water - the Currituck and Pamlico sounds and the Cape Fear, Neuse and Pamlico rivers.

Ferries also carry essential goods to water-locked communities. Many residents depend on the ferries for transportation to school, work, and other needed services.

[edit] Types of Ferry Boats

[edit] Hatteras Class

The Hatteras Class ferry, Roanoke, operating between Cherry Branch and Minnesott Beach on the Neuse River.

The North Carolina Ferry System operates several Hatteras Class ferries. These Vessels draft less than 4 feet, and are designed for the shallow waters and shifting shoals of Eastern North Carolina. The Thomas A. Baum was built at the Steiner Shipyards in Bayou La Batre, AL and was delivered to the North Carolina Department of Transportation on June 13, 1995. It is powered by two Detroit Diesel 12V71 DDECs each rated at 500 HP.

[edit] River Class

The River Class ferry, Croatoan, operating between Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks.

The Ferry System operates several River Class ferries. These boats are designed for heavy, abusive use, and are double-ended, meaning they do not have to turn around at the docks. This feature saves time on busy river routes. The Croatoan was built by Steiner Shipyards in Bayou La Batre, AL and was delivered to the North Carolina Department of Transportation on August 1, 2003. It and the Neuse are powered by two Caterpillar 3412 engines each rated at 475 HP and are propelled by two Voith-Schneider 16G11/100 vertical four blade propellers. The Neuse was delivered on April 13, 1998. The Floyd J. Lupton was also built in the Steiner Shipyards was delivered on February 15, 1994, and is powered by two Caterpillar 3408 engines each rated at 470 HP.

[edit] Sound Class

The Sound Class ferry, Cedar Island, operating between Cedar Island and Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks.

The North Carolina Ferry System operates five Sound Class ferries. These ferries are the biggest in the system, able to carry up to 50 cars. These Ferries are designed to withstand the abuse of constantly traversing the shallow, turbulent waters of the Pamlico Sound. The Sound Class ferries are valued in excess of $5 million each.

[edit] Routes

Knott's Island- Currituck: This route was created in the fall of 1962 to link NC 615 to the mainland, across the Currituck Sound between Knott's Island and Currituck. This was done to shorten the travel time for Knott's Island school children to their school on the mainland. Hatteras- Ocracoke: Service began across Hatteras Inlet in 1953 to connect the islands of Hatteras and Ocracoke. This route is the busiest in the system, with nearly 1 million passengers using this crossing yearly. Swan Quarter- Ocracoke: The newest route in the system, service was begun across the Pamlico Sound between Swan Quarter and Ocracoke in 1977. This was done to connect residents of Ocracoke to their county seat for Hyde County. Cedar Island- Ocracoke: In 1961, service was begun between Cedar Island and Ocracoke to provide a connection for NC 12 to the mainland, and allow better travel to and from the outer banks across the Pamlico Sound. Bayview- Aurora: Service to connect NC 306 across the Pamlico River began in 1966 to provide workers at the mining companies in Aurora a direct connection to their homes on the north bank of the river. Cherry Branch- Minnesott: To complete NC 306, service began across the Neuse River in 1973. This route is used heavily by workers at the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station to commute to and from their homes in Pamlico County. Southport- Ft. Fisher: Service began across the Cape Fear River in 1965. This route was designed for use by tourists traveling between the attractions north and south of the mouth of the Cape Fear.

[edit] External links

• NCDOT Cedar Island Ferry movie
• NCDOT Ferry Division Home page