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The North Carolina Ferry Division began offering increased service starting Saturday, May 23. A Friday press release from the North Carolina Department of Transportation cited greater expected demand and the easing of certain COVID-19 restrictions as reasons for the change.

The new ferry schedule added round trips for ferries traveling to and from Ocracoke, as well as those between Cherry Branch and Minnesott Beach, and Bayview and Aurora.

The adjustments come as Governor Cooper lifted the stay at home order and the state moved to the “safer at home” recommendation. Officials also hoped to accommodate increased of ferry passengers for Memorial Day weekend and into the peak season.

“The Ferry Division will continue to encourage passengers to remain in their vehicles or stand at least six feet from other people while on board to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” stated the press release.

 

The updated schedule is:

Currituck-Knotts Island

Service temporarily suspended.

Hatteras-Ocracoke

From Hatteras: 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight.

From Ocracoke: 4:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and midnight.

Cedar Island-Ocracoke

From Cedar Island: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

From Ocracoke: 7:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Swan Quarter-Ocracoke

From Swan Quarter: 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

From Ocracoke: 7 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach

From Cherry Branch: 5 a.m., 5:45 a.m., 6:45 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

From Minnesott Beach: 5:25 a.m., 6:15 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m.

Bayview-Aurora

From Bayview: 5:45 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:40 p.m.

From Aurora: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

Southport-Fort Fisher

Route closed for a ramp replacement project.

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