North Carolina currently has the second–largest ferry system in the United States. The North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division operates more than 25 ferry vessels on seven different routes. In 1994 the ferries transported more than 2.2 million passengers and 860,000 vehicles across North Carolina waters. The ferries operate on five bodies of water — Pamlico Sound, the Cape Fear River, the Neuse River, the Pamlico River and Currituck Sound. The longest trip lasts for 2 1/2 hours from Swan Quarter to Ocracoke across Pamlico Sound; the shortest trip takes 20 minutes from Cherry Branch to Minnesott Beach across the Neuse River.
Ferry vessels are many different sizes. The shortest ferry is 125 feet long, and the longest is 220 feet. The smaller ferries carry about 18 vehicles,and the largest ferries carry up to 53 vehicles. Each vessel moves at an average speed of 10 knots and is powered by two diesel engines. The ferries can travel in as little as six feet of water when they are fully loaded. Each vessel needs 4 to 6 crew members to operate the boat. These crew members are all licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and have spent many years on the water.
While riding the ferry you could see many types of wildlife such as seagulls, pelicans, dolphins, ducks, crabs and sea turtles.
People ride the ferries for many different reasons.They commute to work and school, transport food and other goods or just ride for fun. People who ride the ferries live in North Carolina and many other states. You might even meet people from other countries around the world!
Transportation Ferry Division operates more than 25 ferry vessels on seven different routes. In 1994 the ferries transported more than 2.2 million passengers and 860,000 vehicles across North Carolina waters. The ferries operate on five bodies of water — Pamlico Sound, the Cape Fear River, the Neuse River, the Pamlico River and Currituck Sound. The longest trip lasts for 2 1/2 hours from Swan Quarter to Ocracoke across Pamlico Sound; the shortest trip takes 20 minutes from Cherry Branch to Minnesott Beach across the Neuse River.
Ferry vessels are many different sizes. The shortest ferry is 125 feet long, and the longest is 220 feet. The smaller ferries carry about 18 vehicles,and the largest ferries carry up to 53 vehicles. Each vessel moves at an average speed of 10 knots and is powered by two diesel engines. The ferries can travel in as little as six feet of water when they are fully loaded. Each vessel needs 4 to 6 crew members to operate the boat. These crew members are all licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and have spent many years on the water.
While riding the ferry you could see many types of wildlife such as seagulls, pelicans, dolphins, ducks, crabs and sea turtles.
People ride the ferries for many different reasons.They commute to work and school, transport food and other goods or just ride for fun. People who ride the ferries live in North Carolina and many other states. You might even meet people from other countries around the world!