CRAVEN COUNTY --Services are back up and running for the Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach Ferry in Craven County.
Over the course of two weeks, operations were on and off due to recent high water levels.
"That's the first thing we did....come right down here this morning," said Gerald Whitley, ferry rider.
Whitley is a maintenance worker. His business was affected when the Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach Ferry was out of operation.
"It's affected gas you know...you're using more gas. The ferry saves us time and money, you know. It's kinda helped us, but it put us at an inconvenience right now," said Whitley.
When the river is too high, the vessel is unable to glide under the ramp which means everything must stop.
"The water level is such high that when they enter the ramp it will cause damage to the cars, plus it's unsafe," said Quinton Collins, chief engineer.
"We had to go all the way around from Fairfield all the way around to Havelock back that way...to get right on the other side of the water where we were working at," said Whitley.
It's an inconvenience, but it's all about safety and commuters understand that.
"We sort of figured that...when the storm comes like that. But these guys that run these ferries, they're pretty good. They know what they're doing," said Tom Rassau, ferry rider.
When the ferry is down, work is still being done.
"It allows us to do drills, do maintenance on the vessels, practice other things and discuss different situations for our drills," said Collins.
But when the water is down and everything looks safe...the line of cars are ready to get on board.
"You get to enjoy the water, you don't have to drive, you don't have to be in constant traffic ...you can kind of relax on the ferry and enjoy the views around you," said Jesse Rassau, ferry rider.
"We are here to serve the public. We're here to carry cars and we look forward to that," said Collins.