Hatteras - Faced with critical shoaling
concerns at the northern end of Ocracoke Island, the North Carolina Ferry
Division will be adapting its spring schedule on the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry
route to accommodate an emergency dredging effort.
Beginning Friday, March 30, the schedule will be as follows:
- From Hatteras: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7:30, 9 and 10 p.m., midnight.
- From Ocracoke: 4:30, 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.,
12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30, 6:15, 7:30, 8:45 and 10:30 p.m., midnight.
In addition, there will be two “shuttle” ferries that will make
unscheduled departures during peak periods to help alleviate any congestion.
“With this adapted schedule, we’ll be able to solve a serious
shoaling problem while also meeting the needs of citizens,” said Ferry Division
Director Harold Thomas. “We need to have the navigational issues on Ocracoke
fixed before the peak of the visitor season arrives.”
The Hatteras-Ocracoke route will resume its published spring
schedule when dredging operations are complete.