The ferry division of the N.C. Department of Transportation is temporarily adjusting departure times at its Swan Quarter-Ocracoke route to assist vendors supplying essential commodities to Ocracoke with adequate turn-around time.
A statement from the department said the changes take effect Thursday.
Under the new schedule, Swan Quarter departures are now set for 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. The ferries will leave Ocracoke at 6:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Residents of Ocracoke and vendors will be given toll exempt status until the Hatteras ferry channel resumes operations. The division is monitoring traffic and will make additional changes if needed.
Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry operations were suspended Jan. 18 because the ferry channel at markers 9 and 10 are completely shoaled over.
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