RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division will be expanding service on the emergency route between Hatteras and Ocracoke’s Silver Lake Harbor on Tuesday.
The route bypasses the closed section of N.C. Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island and takes two hours and 30 minutes for a one-way trip.
The schedule beginning Sept. 10 will be as follows:
- Hatteras to Ocracoke-Silver Lake: 6, 7:30, 9, and 10:30 a.m., 12, 1:30, 3, and 4:30 p.m.
- Ocracoke-Silver Lake to Hatteras: 9 and 10:30 a.m., 12, 1:30, 3, 4:30, 6, and 7:30 p.m.
Only high-clearance vehicles will be allowed on the Hatteras-Silver Lake route.
In addition, the Ferry Division’s Pamlico Sound routes will continue to operate on the following schedule:
- Swan Quarter to Ocracoke: 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.
- Ocracoke to Swan Quarter: 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.
- Cedar Island to Ocracoke: 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Ocracoke to Cedar Island: 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
All fuel deliveries to Ocracoke should use the 9 a.m. Swan Quarter to Ocracoke departure.
At this time, access to Ocracoke-bound ferries will be open only to permanent residents, non-resident homeowners and personnel authorized by Hyde County Emergency Management. Re-entry restrictions for visitors remain in effect. Ocracoke residents wishing to leave the island will be allowed on any ferry departing for Hatteras, Swan Quarter or Cedar Island.
If you have been cleared by Hyde County to access Ocracoke Island, you may call 1-800-BY-FERRY for reservations. Online reservations are suspended until further notice.