The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division will increase service on its Hatteras-Ocracoke route June 16 in order to help meet higher summer travel demand.
The vehicle ferries are the only connection between Hatteras and Ocracoke this summer, as the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry is not operating due to the impacts of the coronavirus.
Although passengers can ride the vehicle ferries, it is a 12 mile trip from the dock to Ocracoke village.
The schedule change will increase the number of daily departures from 36 to 52. The schedule will be as follows:
From Hatteras: 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight.
From Ocracoke: 4:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and midnight.
These schedules will remain in place until further notice.
Passengers are still strongly encouraged to practice COVID-19 safety measures, including remaining in vehicles if possible, wearing face coverings and remaining six feet apart from other passengers and crew when out on the ferry decks.