Swan Quarter–Ocracoke Ferry Route Returns to Normal Schedule

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 19:23

The Swan Quarter-Ocracoke ferry route has reverted back to its normal schedule in anticipation of

the start of an alternate route for the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry as early as Friday, Feb. 22.

The schedule effective through May 20 is as follows:

Swan Quarter to Ocracoke: 10 a.m., 4 p.m.
Ocracoke to Swan Quarter: 7 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
Cedar Island to Ocracoke: 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 4 p.m.
Ocracoke to Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m.

Because the Hatteras-Ocracoke alternate route is not yet operating, residents and vendors will continue to ride toll exempt today. Once the alternate route is open, the toll exemption will be discontinued.

Final testing is under way today on the alternate Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route to ensure it is safe and ferry masters are comfortable with the new route. It is about 10 1/2 miles long and will take 60 to 70 minutes to complete each way. Once the testing is completed and the Coast Guard gives the okay, service can resume.

An update on the route status and the schedule is expected to be sent out tonight via news release, on the NCDOT website,Ferry Division webpage, the N.C. 12 Facebook page and twitter.