Dredging!

30,000 cubic yards of sediment have been cleared from the ferry channel at Ocracoke.

The North Carolina Ferry Division's new Dredge Manteo successfully completed its first assignment over the holiday weekend, clearing debris out of the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry channel that was left behind by Hurricane Matthew last month.

The dredging work re-opened a portion of the ferry channel near the Ocracoke South Dock Terminal. More than 30,000 cubic yards of sediment were cleared away during six days of work. That allowed the North Carolina Ferry System to resume a regular schedule on the Hatteras-Ocracoke route last week. 

"The equipment and technology on Dredge Manteo worked just as we expected it to," said Ferry Division Deputy Director Jed Dixon. "We look forward to having it help us keep our ferry channels open and safe for many years to come." 

The dredge was delivered to the Ferry Division earlier this year and christened by Governor Pat McCrory during a ceremony at the State Shipyard. Its next job will be routine maintenance of the Ferry System's Cape Fear River channel between Southport and Fort Fisher.