Pamlico Sound Ferry Routes Back on Schedule!

The Swan Quarter and Cedar Island ferry routes are running their full schedules, which you can find here. The Pamlico Sound ferries will switch to their summer schedule on May 23rd.

ORIGINAL STORY (posted April 21st): Federal dredging expected to begin next week.

Due to critical shoaling in the federally-controlled channel at Bigfoot Slough, the North Carolina Ferry Division will run a limited schedule on its routes between Ocracoke, Swan Quarter, and Cedar Island beginning Saturday, April 23. 

The schedule will be as follows:

• Ocracoke to Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Cedar Island to Ocracoke: 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
• Ocracoke to Swan Quarter: 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Swan Quarter to Ocracoke: 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Water levels in Bigfoot Slough are critically low, especially at low tide.

"We have asked the Army Corps of Engineers to perform an emergency dredging operation as soon as possible, and we're hoping to see that operation begin next week," said Ferry Division Interim Director Jed Dixon. "Until then, we have to limit our schedule in the area in order to operate safely."

The limited schedules will remain in effect until the dredging operation is complete.

UPDATE: Ocracoke's county commissioner, Tom Pahl, posted on Facebook Friday evening: "Regarding the Sound Class Ferry Routes: Talking with Jed Dixon about this now. Here's what I know at this point: The real problem is that they decided to take the Sea Level out of the lineup because that boat needs deeper water than the others. The dredge is en route...will be here tonight or tomorrow. There are some permitting issues that still have to be cleared, but the Division declared an emergency condition today so that the Army Corps can expedite the process. Jed hopes the dredging can begin Sunday (or Monday) and in a day or two open up enough to go back to the regular schedule, but keep dredging to get the job done. I'll keep you posted when I know more."