HUBERT, N.C. -- It's been four years in the making, but the NCDOT is excited the state's first passenger ferry is almost complete.
- The Ocracoke Express is a 92-foot long, high-speed catamaran, designed to travel up to 30 miles per hour on the water
- Crews are working ten hour days, six days a week at US Workboats in Hubert to make sure the ferry can be dropped in the water by April
- The boat costs $4.3 million, but the entire project, funded by both the state and a federal grant add up to just over $9 million
The Ocracoke Express is a 92-foot long, high-speed catamaran, designed to travel up to 30 miles per hour on the water. It is also designed to seat about 127 passengers, mostly inside the cabin, but a few along the back as well.
Crews are working 10-hour days, six days a week at US Workboats in Hubert to make sure the ferry can be dropped in the water by April. The goal is to get the ferry functional by May to travel from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island.
“We're thrilled to be able to offer this new service, it’s going to give the riders who are visiting the Outer Banks a real choice. They can decide if they want to use the car ferry, and take their car over and be able to go to the beach, be able to stay all week, or you can decide if you just want to go for the day,” said Jed Dixon, the Deputy Director of the NCDOT Ferry Division.
The boat costs $4.3 million, but the entire project, funded by both the state and a federal grant add up to just over $9 million. Ticket prices will vary based on season. They start at $5 one way, and are $7.50 one way during peak season.
The NCDOT says they have no immediate plans to serve beer or wine when the ferry first opens.